SAN DIEGO — When San Diego Musical Theatre announced plans to produce Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning, salsa-infused musical "In the Heights" this spring, it turned to some seasoned Latin musical pros to bring the story to life.
Colombian-born director Carlos Mendoza has won awards for his choreography and direction of "In the Heights" productions at Vista's Moonlight Amphitheatre, Music Theatre Wichita and at Performance Riverside. And Mexican American choreographer Laurie Muñiz has served as an assistant choreographer and co-choreographer for "In the Heights" productions at Moonlight, Performance Riverside and Wichita, as well as three other locations.
Jill Townsend, artistic director of San Diego Musical Theatre, said having Mendoza and Muñiz, as well as music director Richard Dueñez Morrison, a Mexican American who grew up in San Diego, on board brings authenticity to the production opening May 6 at SDMT's home theater in Kearny Mesa.
