The Tony-winning musical In the Heights is about to get a shot in the arm. Corbin Bleu, of High School Musical fame, is set to make his Broadway debut in the show’s leading role, according to Variety. Bleu will play bodega owner Usnavi in the musical beginning on January 25, 2010. He will play a 13-week stint through April 25, 2010.
The mop-topped actor and singer is best known for playing Chad Danforth in the High School Musical film series. He also gained attention for the Discovery Kids series Flight 29 Down. His most recent big screen credit was playing the lead in the film Free Style. Bleu has released two solo albums (Another Side and Speed of Light) and appeared on stage in Debbie Allen’s Brothers of the Knight.
In the Heights, which won four 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is the story of three days in the life of Washington Heights, a tightknit community at the top of Manhattan. The cast currently includes Javier Muñoz, Mandy Gonzalez, Marcy Harriell, Andrea Burns, Robin De Jesus, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Rick Negron, Courtney Reed, Christopher Jackson and Will Wingfield.