In the Heights: Jordin Sparks injured, takes leave

Platinum recording artists and 2007 "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks injured her hip while performing the role of 'Nina' in the Broadway musical In The Heights on 28 Aug 2010. The star is currently resting, there as been no announcement as to when she will return to the production.

Sparks posted on her twitter page following the injury, "Got my 1st broadway injury tonight. Hurt my hip in the first act. But I finished the show! Thank you so much to everyone who came tonight. Sorry I couldn't sign. :( It's hard to stand/walk. Hopefully the physical therapist can fix me! :)

The role of 'Nina' is temporarily being played by her understudy Courtney Reed. The role of 'Carla,' normally played by Reed, is now be played by Gabrielle Ruiz.

Until Sparks returns to the production In The Heights will feature Courtney Reed (Nina), Kyle Beltran (Usnavi), Marcy Harriell (Vanessa), Priscilla Lopez (Camila), Bianca Marroquin (Daniela), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), Rick Negrón (Kevin), Clifton Oliver (Benny), Gabrielle Ruiz (Carla), Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Sonny) and Jon Rua (Graffiti Pete).

Sparks, who joined the cast on 19 Aug 2010, is making her Broadway debut in the lead female role of 'Nina Rosario' in the 2008 Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights. Sparks is playing a limited 12 week engagement through to 14 Nov 2010.

Jordin Sparks was the youngest contestant to ever win "American Idol." At the age of 16, she auditioned for the show and within a few months went on to win the hearts of fans and the Idol judges. She has since become a platinum and award winning recording artist.

In The Heights opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 9 Mar 2008, following previews from 14 Feb 2008, and is currently selling tickets through to 26 Feb 2011.

The show opened on Broadway to mostly good to luke-warm reviews: "There is no more joyful musical to see this season." (New York Theatre Guide); "What it lacks in story and believability it makes up for in a vibrant rap- and salsa-flavored score." (NY Daily News); "Delivers a festive time that plenty of people will enjoy." (Star-Ledger); "Not a great musical. But it's about as impossible to dislike as an adorable puppy." (USA Today); "Deeply flawed and deeply pleasurable." (NY Sun) and "an uncalculated charmer. (Variety).

In The Heights: A quintessential New York musical about a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. The music pulses with the hopes and dreams of three generations as they struggle to forge an identity in a neighborhood on the brink of transition.

The musical is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, scene design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Acme Sound Partners.

In The Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

In The Heights is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, who also produced the Off Broadway production.

The show began life off Broadway at 37 Arts Theatre, where it ran from 8 Feb - 15 Jul 2007, playing 33 preview and 182 regular performances.

That production won the 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreographer, the 2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreography, Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics, and finally a Theatre World Award for Lin-Manuel Miranda.