Corbin Bleu heads for 'Heights' !?!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:18pm

Corbin Bleu will be the first "High School Musical" alum to hit Broadway, with the thesp stepping into the lead role of Tony-winning tuner "In the Heights" early next year.

Bleu, who appeared as basketball player Chad in both "HSM" telepics as well as the 2008 "HSM" feature, will play young bodega owner Usnavi in "Heights." His 13-week stint in the musical runs Jan. 25-April 25.

The beginning of the end?
Corbin Bleu heads for 'Heights'

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:19pm

looks like they just trying something for the winter months.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:25pm

I actually think he's probably one of the more talented in that HSM group.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:27pm

I think he's one of the more talented HSM kids as well...with Lucas Grabeel being the most talented IMO.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:31pm

Hopefully his hair will be cut short, wouldn't want him and Marcy (Vanessa) having the same 'do.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:31pm

I dont really know how I feel about this :P

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:33pm

Awful casting. But maybe that's because I only see the part as played by Miranda.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:34pm

That's my problem in a nutshell, RentBoy. And I just wonder if he'll be able to handle the heavy lifting of carrying that show.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:35pm

When I read the headline I immediately thought he was cast as Sonny, which I can totally see and think he could excel at. However, USNAVI?? REALLY? I hope he proves my immediate thoughts wrong...

[ILuv2shop531]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:36pm

When I read this I assumed he was going to be Benny until I saw Usnavi haha

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:39pm

I think he could be a good Benny, actually...I just can't see him as Usnavi.

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:39pm

Capn, I thought the same thing. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It has definitely piqued my interest.

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:45pm

The beginning of the end?

I'm afraid so, everythingtaboo. I'm afraid so.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:46pm

Uh..isn't he WAY too young? Or at least young-looking...?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:52pm

Don't you kind of have to be Latino for this role?

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:53pm

Isn't he the wrong ethnicity for Usnavi? haha

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:54pm

Just announced on BWW. This is horrible casting...he's not the right ethnicity or age. WTF.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/8/09 at 11:55pm

Usnavi? I was expecting Benny...

[Azuah.]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:07am

Worst stunt casting EVER. I don't understand this at all. At ALL.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:14am

I thought he'd be playing Sonny. That I can see. Usnavi, I can't.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:30am

Supposedly he's half Jamaican, so at least it's somewhere south of the continental US.

Meanwhile, I checked - he's 20 years old. Robin de Jesus is 25 years old. This should be interesting.

[Select a Member Name]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:39am

looks like they just trying something for the winter months.

Let's hope it stays that way.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:50am

Wow!! Totally did not see this coming at all! I swear I almost went into cardiac arrest when I saw this!

[RyToast1]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:52am

Does Lin-Manuel still have say (or did he ever have say) in the casting?

[gypsymal56]

Posted: 12/9/09 at 12:53am

I can't help thinking of the "Legally Brown" spoof and their jab at stunt casting.
"This is adorable." "We are going to sell so many tickets."