In the Heights is New York City Center’s annual gala presentation this season, running October 28–November 15, 2026 on the Mainstage, with Matte Martinez as Usnavi and Tony winner Natalie Venetia Belcon as Abuela Claudia.
The run opens with a gala performance on Wednesday, October 28 at 6pm. David Mendizábal directs, with choreography by Mayte Natalio and music direction by Alejandro Senior.
Martinez comes to the bodega from the title role in MJ on Broadway. Belcon won her Tony for Buena Vista Social Club. The company also includes Jaci Calderon as Nina, Ashley De La Rosa as Vanessa, Linedy Genao as Daniela, Ishmael Gonzalez as Sonny, Ivan Hernandez as Kevin, Cedric Leiba Jr as the Piragüero, Aaron James McKenzie as Benny, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Carla and Veronica Vazquez-Jackson as Camila.
Genao is on leave from The Great Gatsby on Broadway for the run, as we reported earlier this month.
The ensemble is Ixchel Cuellar, Adriel Flete, Amanda K. Lopez, Kate Louissaint, Ángel Lozada, Yani Marin, Alora Tonielle Martinez, Bianca Leticia Medina, Sael Antonio Nuñez, Cristian “Chino” Rodriguez (also Graffiti Pete), SeQuoiia and Ricardo A. Zayas, with Kiki Rodriguez and Michael Anthony Sylvester as swings.
Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the music and lyrics and conceived the show, with a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman. Sets are by Riw Rakkulchon, costumes by Dede Ayite, lighting by Justin Townsend and sound by Alex Neumann.
The production runs about two and a half hours with an intermission. An ASL-interpreted performance is on Thursday, November 5 at 7:30pm, and a Community Night follows on Friday, November 6. Tickets are limited to eight per household and are sold through New York City Center, which also runs a Heights Rush.
