By Mindy Pedlar
In The Heights, the Broadway smash musical, opens July 11, and it’s time to meet some of the cast.
New to Cabrillo Stage is Trevor Miller, who plays Benny. Trevor credits the internet and long nights of research for being cast in this show that he feels passionate about. His character, Benny, is a generous, hard-working man with dreams and goals. He works in the dispatch with his boss who happens to be the father of the girl of his dreams, Nina. Trevor notes that “there are a ton of similarities between Benny and me. I relate to what he says and his actions throughout the show. Through all his challenges, Benny remains resilient and trusts his instincts. That is something I can admire and learn from.”
Trevor knew he wanted to be an actor when he and his sister were watching the Disney Channel’s High School Musical. He shares that “in 2006, you didn’t see many male black actors on TV, especially not singing and dancing. Watching Corbin Bleu play Chad Danforth was truly a life-changing experience. He made theatre and acting look and sound so cool. As a kid, I played sports. The movie made me realize I could like both theatre and sports. Soon after, I was in a production of Alice in Wonderland. My sister played the White Rabbit. I played a doorknob and I haven’t stopped doing theatre since.”
To Trevor, “the most enjoyable aspect of this role is working with my fellow actors. The cast is so talented and as a collective we genuinely make magic on the stage. The creative team has taught and guided us with expertise, passion and love. My wonderful stage partner, Sofia Rosas, makes everything easy. She is such a great and trusting actor. Hearing her sing Breathe is something I look forward to every night.”
Sofia Rosas plays Nina Rosario, a character she describes as sweet, hard-working and selfless. She’s an achiever who is a shining light of hope in the neighborhood. Sofia says, “My favorite thing to do as a performer is to connect and to make the audience feel, whether it’s something emotional, or joyful.”
For Sofia, working with the cast, crew and directing team has been a pleasure. She describes everyone involved in this production as “wonderful individuals who are supportive, vibrant, lively, driven and loving.”
Sofia and Trevor know the audience will find the show joyous and entertaining, and hope they will leave with a new appreciation for Latino culture to carry on the beautiful legacy that In The Heights holds.
Trevor’s dream would be for someone sitting in the audience to have an experience like he had in his youth.
He says, “If they see themselves in me or anyone else on stage, then perhaps they will fall in love with theatre just as I did.”
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Tickets range from $25 – $60. Online ticket sales at cabrillostage.com. Box Office open for phone and walk-up sales Thursdays – Saturdays 12pm – 6pm and 1 hour prior to each performance 831-479-6154. Performances: July 11 – Aug. 4, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, with a special matinee performance Saturday, Aug. 3.
Post-show discussion with the creative team on Sunday July 14 following the performance. Cabrillo Stage performs in the Crocker Theatre on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.
TOP PHOTO: Trevor Miller as Benny and Sofia Rosas as Nina rehearsing a duet for In the Heights.