NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ TheNetworkPR) - Grammy nominated platinum recording artistand 2007 "American Idol" winner
Jordin Sparks makes her Broadway debut this week in the 2008 Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights. Sparks will begin her engagement playing Nina
Rosario on Thursday, August 19ththrough Sunday, November 14, 2010. She will perform a song from the musical on August 19th on Live! With Regis & Kelly, followed by appearances on Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends, The Wendy Williams Show, as well as additional media appearances this Fall.
"Rehearsals have been amazing and intense. I can't express how excited I am to make my Broadway debut with my new family In The Heights," said Jordin Sparks. "It has always been one of my dreams, and it's finally happening!"
20 year old Jordin Sparks has been performing from a young age and stands alone as the youngest contestant to ever win "American Idol." At the age of 16, she auditioned for the show and within a few months went on to win the hearts of fans and the Idol judges. She has since become a platinum and award winning recording artist. Her self-titled debut album was released in 2007 on 19 Recordings/Jive Records and went on to sell over 1.6 million copies worldwide and produced three Top 5 hits on Billboard's Pop singles chart including: "Tattoo," "No Air," and "One Step At A Time." Her sophomore album, Battlefield, contains the album title hit single and the bona-fide dance smash, "S.O.S (Let The Music Play)." Cumulatively, these popular singles have sold almost 9 million downloads/ringtones. Jordin has received American Music, People's Choice and Teen Choice Awards as well as Grammy and multiple MTV VMA nominations. She has also toured extensively with Alicia Keys, The Jonas Brothers and Britney Spears and this summer just wrapped her first headlining tour.
This multi-faceted performer is also known for her philanthropy, which includes her own project, the I'm M.A.D. Are You? campaign as well as other charitable efforts. Jordin has recently teamed up with the nonprofit organization, Afterschool Alliance andQuaker Chewy Granola Barsto help bring quality afterschool programs to kids. Sparks is lending her voice to the Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of afterschool programs. Parents can visit www.QuakerOats.com/afterschoolrocks to download Jordin's playlist to energize afterschool activities through music. The Quaker Chewy Afterschool Rocks Campaign will help 25,000+ afterschool programs nationwide get access to additional vital resources.
Now in its third year at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46thStreet), In The Heightsis the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda won the 2008 Tony for Best Music and Lyrics, Andy Blankenbuehlerwon the 2008 Tony for Best Choreography, and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Shermanwon the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations. In The Heightsbegan previews on Broadway Thursday, February 14, 2008, after a six-month award-winning 2007 Off-Broadway run. The musical opened on Broadway to critical acclaim Sunday, March 9, 2008, recouped its $10 million investment in 10 months. With a book by Quiara Alegri'a Hudesand conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In The Heightsis directed by Thomas Kail. Alex Lacamoireis music director and music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoireand Bill Sherman.
In The Heights features a scenic design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Acme Sound Partners. In The Heights is produced by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman Willis, Sander Jacobs, Robyn Goodman/Walt Grossman, Peter Fine and Sonny Everett/Mike Skipper with ssociate producers Ruth Hendeland Harold Newman.
