Buchheit to Appear in Pittsburgh Musical

PITTSBURGH – Bradford resident Marissa Buchheit has been cast in the Pittsburgh premiere of the Tony Award-winning blockbuster musical In the Heights.

Hailed by the New York Times as "the hottest, most street savvy production in years" the show is being produced by Carrnivale Theatrics in conjunction with Front Porch Theatricals at the New Hazlett Theater from August 23 through September 1.

This high-energy show features a contemporary Latin-flavored score and Tony-winning hip-hop dance moves. It takes place in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, where a young store owner watches the joys and heartbreaks of his tight-knit community as they pass through his bodega.

In the Heights was nominated for 13 Tonys in 2008 and won four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score,Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

Buchheit, who will be playing the role of Carla, joins a diverse cast of 24 other performers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, New York, Florida, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Among the principals is Tony Chiroldes, who will revive his role of Kevin Rosario. He played the part of Kevin and PiraguaGuy on Broadway.

The show was cast following auditions in both Pittsburgh and New York.

Currently an acting major in Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, Buchheit is a graduate of Bradford Area High School and performed in numerous musicals and shows during her school years including the Bradford Little Theater production of Disney’s High School Musical and was a featured soloist and choreographer for Kiwanis Kapers.

Buchheit also has appeared as Maya in Among the Pyramid Builders at the Gray Box Theater.

She is the daughter of Pete and Karen Buchheit of Bradford.

Director and co-founder of Carrnivale Theatricals Justin Fortunato describes the production of In the Heights as “something that fits perfectly with the types of productions we put on - pulling mostly from the incredible actors in Pittsburgh and putting on a show that promotes community as much as we do.”

This production marks the second collaboration between Carrnivale Theatrics and Front Porch Theatricals following last summer’s financial and box office success with Next to Normal.

“We’re very excited to be putting on a second show together,” co-producer Leon S. Zionts said.

“In the Heights is larger and grander than anything we’ve done before, but in working with such great acting andartistic/production talent, we know we can take last year’s successes and build on them,” Zionts added.

Information on tickets is available at www.carrnivale.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CarrnivaleTheatrics.

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947