City Center’s 2026 Gala Production: IN THE HEIGHTS

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:07pm

October 28-November 1
 

David Mendizábal (Mexodus) will direct

Updated On: 3/11/26 at 12:07 PM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:09pm

It’ll be a guaranteed hit, so I get it from a gala perspective, but meh. I guess 18 years is long enough to treat it as a classic. $10 says Olga Merediz reprises Abuela Claudia.

Also, it runs until November 8th, according to NYCC’s website; not the 1st.

Updated On: 3/11/26 at 12:09 PM

[Ensemble17591322022]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:12pm

With a move to Broadway afterwards, I’m guessing. 

[ER765]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:21pm

Ensemble17591322022 said: "With a move to Broadway afterwards, I’m guessing."

They don’t even have a cast yet. Calm down. 

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:21pm

I cannot possibly be old enough for Encores to be doing shows I saw the original production of.

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:29pm

I feel SO old and SO excited.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:32pm

Dayum.

Hard to see how it’ll top the original, the very good film adaptation, and even the recent Muny production which featured actual fireworks. But good for Encores, I guess. 

There’s a good chance LMM fans could see this, HAMILTON, and WARRIORS in NYC in the same weekend this fall. 

Updated On: 3/11/26 at 12:32 PM

[Ensemble17591322022]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:32pm

GlindatheGood22 said: "I cannot possibly be old enough for Encores to be doing shows I saw the original production of."

This isn’t under Encores. They could do Dead Outlaw for the Gala if they wanted to. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 12:34pm

I need the two guys from MEXODUS in this cast.

Brian Quijada for Usnavi and Nygel D. Robinson for Benny

[MimiChika]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:19pm

Rachel Ziegler is in talks for Nina, Lin personally asked her. 

[walnutoraroach]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:19pm

Ensemble17591322022 said: "GlindatheGood22 said: "I cannot possibly be old enough for Encores to be doing shows I saw the original production of."

This isn’t under Encores. They could do Dead Outlaw for the Gala if they wanted to."

Even so, Light in the Piazza was in the regular Encores! season three years ago, and that was just a couple of seasons ahead of In the Heights. We're getting old, y'all...

[Ensemble17591322022]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:24pm

True about Piazza. Hopefully with the recent High Spirits (such that it was) and scripts used in hand, Encores is going back to old times a bit more. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:24pm

Ensemble17591322022 said: "With a move to Broadway afterwards, I’m guessing."

Just like every other Encores production from the last 10 years that as soon as it's announced just has to be with a Broadway transfer in mind? You do know that sometimes shows at non-Broadway theatres are simply shows at non-Broadway theatres?

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:34pm

Broadway61004 said: "Ensemble17591322022 said: "With a move to Broadway afterwards, I’m guessing."

Just like every other Encores production from the last 10 years that as soon as it's announced just has to be with a Broadway transfer in mind? You do know that sometimes shows at non-Broadway theatres are simply shows at non-Broadway theatres?"

 

It's not that serious.

[Ensemble17591322022]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:37pm

Broadway61004 said: "Ensemble17591322022 said: "With a move to Broadway afterwards, I’m guessing."

Just like every other Encores production from the last 10 years that as soon as it's announced just has to be with a Broadway transfer in mind? You do know that sometimes shows at non-Broadway theatres are simply shows at non-Broadway theatres?"

Of course I know that. But the show is excellent, positive, and full of a joy that will be even more infectious than it was when it opened (due to the pessimism blanketing the days right now).

And it’s a chance to cash in on Lin, which producers will jump at. 

Into the Woods shouldn’t have moved, but something like In The Heights moving makes sense to me. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:48pm

I’ve just been assuming revivals of IN THE HEIGHTS and RENT have been percolating - it’s not a matter of if but when.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 1:51pm

MimiChika said: "Rachel Ziegler is in talks for Nina, Lin personally asked her."

No clue if this is true or not but if she does it, part of me thinks Diego would be in it as well. 

[malcs98]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 2:46pm

ER765 said: "Ensemble17591322022 said: "With a move to Broadway afterwards, I’m guessing."

They don’t even have a cast yet. Calm down."

Well to be fair, given City Center’s proven track record of top-notch casting choices (particularly for their Annual Galas), I expect this to be just as stacked and stellar as galas past. Also to the above user who said Brian & Nygel from Mexodus should play Usnavi and Benny, you are a genius. While we’re at it let’s get Emma Sofia from Cats: The Jellicle Ball as Carla

[P3PP3R]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 3:13pm

Rachel as Nina and Eva Noblezada as Vanessa. PLEASE.

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 3:32pm

GlindatheGood22 said: "I cannot possibly be old enough for Encores to be doing shows I saw the original production of."

They should do Evil Dead: The Musical simply so I can see Evil Dead: The Musical. It'd be so funny.

Edit: I meant to reply to the dead outlaw message, not this one.

Updated On: 3/11/26 at 03:32 PM

[inception]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 3:47pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I’ve just been assuming revivals of IN THE HEIGHTS and RENT have been percolating -it’s not a matter of if but when."

I think Rent has aged similarly to how A Chorus Line has - neither feel timeless or have the same effect they did when they were new.  They feel like time capsules.

[Voter]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 3:51pm

MimiChika said: "Rachel Ziegler is in talks for Nina, Lin personally asked her."

 

Makes sense to get a quick acting role/theatre job before Evita in spring 2027? (Hopefully!)

 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 4:04pm

inception said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I’ve just been assuming revivals of IN THE HEIGHTS and RENT have been percolating -it’s not a matter of if but when."

I think Rent has aged similarly to how A Chorus Line has -neither feel timeless or have the same effect theydid when they were new. They feel like time capsules."

But why is that always said as a negative? We don’t stop watching older films or even listening to music that capture a specific place and time in the past. I always find it strange when I hear a show shouldn’t be done again because it’s “dated”.

[always bway]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 4:06pm

Great idea. I will definitely be purchasing tickets. My Bet: Anthony Ramos is Usnavi. 

[Kad]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 4:10pm

I kind of think they would want to use this moment to showcase somebody new for Usnavi.