Adeltrud Laught blog

Jordin Sparks Remains Sidelined at 'In the Heights' Aug. 31

Jordin Sparks, the "American Idol" finalist who recently made her Broadway debut as Nina in In the Heights, will miss a fourth performance in the hit show Aug. 31. Sparks injured her hip at the evening performance Aug. 28 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

The injury occurred in Act One, a spokesman said. Sparks finished the Saturday night show but missed both shows Sunday Aug. 29, as well as the Monday Aug. 30 performance. A spokesman for the show said that on doctor's orders Sparks would also miss the Aug. 31 show.

Sparks will be back on Sept. 2, following the show's dormant day on Sept. 1, Playbill.com has learned.

Understudies Courtney Reed and Gabrielle Ruiz are on call for the sidelined Sparks.

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Sparks, the 2007 winner of TV's "American Idol," stepped into another American success story on Aug. 19 when she joined the Broadway cast of In the Heights, the Tony Award winner about the Latino neighborhood of Manhattan's Washington Heights.

Sparks is making her Broadway debut in the role of college student Nina Rosario, who returns home from Stanford University for the summer — with a secret that shakes the foundation of her family's American dream. Friends, family and a new love rally around her in the musical portrait of a changing neighborhood where multiple musical styles echo on the streets, spill from the windows and brew in the minds of its eclectic Latino characters.

Sparks will play a limited 12-week engagement through Nov. 14.

Creator and Tony-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda previously told Playbill.com, "Jordin is an undeniable talent and an incredibly versatile performer. When she came in to audition for the creative team, I knew she'd be able to sing the role of Nina (and does she ever). I was not prepared for how winning and honest an actress she'd be. I can't wait to see her tear it up with the rest of this amazing company."

A Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling recording artist, Sparks is the youngest contestant to ever win "American Idol" at the age of 17. Her self-titled debut and sophomore albums, "Battlefield" (19 Recordings/Jive Records), feature chart-topping hits including "Battlefield," "Tattoo," "No Air" and "One Step at a Time." Sparks has received American Music, People's Choice and Teen Choice Awards as well as MTV VMA nominations. She has also toured extensively with Alicia Keys, the Jonas Brothers and Britney Spears and just wrapped a headlining tour.

Visit intheheightsthemusical.com.