This is a proud moment for High School Musical fans, and admittedly it's a bit unexpected. But when talents like Corbin Bleu start to rise to the surface, it should only be recognized. The 20-year-old actor will be the first star of the Disney franchise to head to Broadway, as he stars in a production marking his debut.
After years of playing Chad on the High School Musical series, Corbin Bleu will take the stage on the Tony Award-winning performance titled In the Heights. According to Variety, he'll be portraying a young bodega owner named Usnavi. The musical kicks off on January and will run until April next year.
Set in an Upper Manhattan neighborhood,
In the Heights focuses on the struggles of college-age characters dealing with growing up. It also features an eclectic mix of tunes that will draw in audiences - whether
High School Musical fans or not. The score includes rap, salsa and Broadway ballads.
The project has been produced by Main Stem, which is hoping to attract new viewers (younger ones, no doubt) with its chosen cast members. With Corbin Bleu signed up, they can surely haul in the numbers.
His role of Usnavi was originated by the show's composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda. If his name doesn't ring any bells, maybe you're more likely to remember him as the title character's roommate on the series
House.
Anyway, Corbin Bleu has been working on theater for some time now. Aside from his usual mainstream fare of Disney Channel movies, he's also been seen in a number of stage productions since he was six.
Other than his acting career, he has also released two solo albums so far. In 2007 he debuted
Another Side, then continued his R&B dreams with the launch of his second album titled
Speed of Light. Corbin Bleu has definitely been all over the place, constantly proving his diversity in the entertainment field.
With that said, try to catch Bleu in the Broadway musical
In the Heights as he joins the cast on January 25, 2010.
Source:
Variety,
NY Daily News(Image Courtesy of WENN)