HomeThe Big ScreenIn The Heights Film Taps Corey Hawkins to Play Benny

In The Heights Film Taps Corey Hawkins to Play Benny

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Corey Hawkins Romeo & Juliet Opening Night 2013
rnrnThe Tony Award-winning musical In The Heights is headed to the big screen thanks to Warner Bros., And according to Deadline the Straight Outta Compton star Corey Hawkins has been cast in the role of Benny, a taxi driver who works for the father of the young lady he is in love with, Nina. As a college student at Stanford, Nina is considered “the one who made it out.” However, Nina’s father won’t accept Benny as his daughter’s boyfriendrnrnSet in Washington Heights in NYC, In the Heights follows the lives of people who battle with helping their neighborhood in the midst of gentrification as well as dealing with their own issues while experiencing a blackout. It was previously announced that Anthony Ramos (Hamilton) would lead the film as the bodega owner Usnavi.rnrn”In The Heights” will hit movie theaters June 26, 2020, with a script written by Quiara Alegría Hudes and directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians)rnrnHawkins is a 2017 Tony Award nominee for his role in Six Degrees of Separation. The Julliard graduate also graced the Broadway stage Broadway in Romeo & Juliet alongside Condola Rashad and Orlando Bloom. He also was recently seen in Spike Lee‘s Oscar-nominated film BlacKkKlansman.

Andrew Shade
Andrew Shade
Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media. In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage. Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson
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