Sunday, January 3, 2010

Kenny Ortega to Direct Movie Version of In the Heights


Director of High School Musical and Michael Jackson's This Is It Turns His Talent to American Latinos

Kenny Ortega, who directed the megahit TV movie High School Musical and its sequels as well at Michael Jackson’s This is It, which has already generated more than $250 million worldwide, is turning his attention to American Latinos with his next project: the film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, In the Heights.

In the Heights, written, composed, and starring Lin-Manual Miranda, is set in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights. A wide range of musical styles, from salsa and meringue to hip-hop and soul, are featured in the play, which was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and took home the Best Musical award in 2008.

Latino commitment continues in front and behind the camera. Miranda is set to reprise his role as the bodega owner in the film version, and is serving as co-producer with Quiara Algria Hudes, who is also writing the screen adaptation.

The film is a Universal Pictures project; the film is currently scheduled for a late 2010 release.

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