name change: Morgan Marcell

As some of you may have noticed, I am going through a name change. It is a slow process, but my professional name is Morgan Marcell!! Just in case it got confusing!

the end of an era, the beginning of a new one!

thank you so much to all who followed and commented. In The Heights Tour ended April 3, 2011. I miss it dearly, and the cast will always be my family. I traveled to Europe and worked at the Rockford Valley College summer theater before returning to California. Currently, I am in Los Angeles and ready to hit the ground running!!!!

Durham North Carolina!!!

Boy, its truly been a busy start to the year. I feel like the tour is already closing and as much as I have anxiety about not having a constant "8pm" appointment, I am so proud to be a part of the closing night cast.

I have been non-stop in rehearsals and we also just started filming a short film/music video to Janelle Monae's song "Babopbye Ya" :) Joel Perez and I got it all organized and we finished filming to big scenes last week. Watch for it on YOUTUBE!

Here is a press sneak peek I did last week for Durham NC!

In The Heights - sneak peek from Pete Bell on Vimeo.

Back to Tour with a Salsa Lesson

Michael Fielder (my Co-Dance Captain) and I were asked to teach a salsa class to the audience members in Grand Rapids, MI. It was nice to step out of my job and realize the actual impact we have on individuals.

In The Heights Goes "Home"

In The Heights Tour went to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We performed at the Centro de Bellas Artes (apparently its like their Lincoln Center) It was the best 2 hours of my life. I sat in the audience with Joseph and Michael B and watched the magic unfold. As soon as the Puerto Rican flag was flown by Carla in Carnaval, there was an overwhelming applause. It was like the audience was dancing WITH us onstage. I was surprised to feel happy I that I wasn't onstage. It was a thrill to feel pride and excitement for my JOB, my passion. here, Lin bows with us, wrapped in a Puerto Rican flag:

We got to meet the Governor and his First Lady, Lucé Vela de Fortuño at the Governor's Mansion in old San Juan:

I decided to stay an extra 4 days... here is the view from my room:

Overall, Puerto Rico was an amazing professional and also personal experience. :)

In the Heights to Close on Broadway in January; Miranda to Return to Cast - Playbill.com

In the Heights to Close on Broadway in January; Miranda to Return to Cast - Playbill.com

THIS is the end of an era...

"i can say gbye to you smilin' I found my island... Ive been on it this whole time. IM HOME"

Thank you fans. friends. family of Heights for your support. Thank you most of all to the creators of this island. It's beautiful and legendary, so it willll live on forever.

Our tour will continue and close in April 2011, but our mother, mentor, friend--Richard Rodgers Theater will close Jan 9th 2011.

OFFICIALLY Dance Captain of the In The Heights Tour!!!

As of Tuesday... I officially took on the role of "Dance Captain." We had our first put-in for the swings (where we rehearse with the full cast and the swings do their first track). It was exhilarating and also a lot of pressure. I am going to learn so much in the next 6 months. Its such an interesting position, when you have no choice but to step up to bat and swing. :)

1st swingtown day in NYC (DC-dance captain and ST-swingtown)

I think Im turning Japanese....I really think so!

Hello from Kyoto, Japan.

Shiga-ken, just outside of Kyoto, was home to my grandmother's parents. Back in 1919, my great grandparents emigrated to the United States and left my grandmother's brothers in Japan. There, one of her brothers had 2 boys, one named Takahashi. Since 1965, we ahve not heard from Takahashi, but have letters from him. We have the 1919 versions of my great grandparents' passports... and with those things, we travel today to Otsu, capital of Shiga prefecture, to find out if Takahashi, or any "yasui"--my grandmother's maiden name--relatives are still alive.

Here is our experience

travel to OTSU in Shiga prefecture outside of Kyoto.

Head to the Shiga Prefecture Government Building

Takeda, an extremmmmeeelllly nice man takes us into his office, where he is on his LUNCH BREAK and gets a translator for us. They then talk with my grandma

and sort through our papers... while offering us tea... who are these nice people?

They told us her parents are originally from Aisho in Shiga, an hour away and to get their "Koseki" we would have to travel to the Aisho city hall. So interesting. They spent nearly an hour and a half with us, talking about MY family history in Japanese/English. NOW THAT is a memory I have waited for. I found out so many new things, like their names.... Itsu Yasui is my great grandmother. I have my great grandfathers name written, but it is put away already. So, with grandma worn out and the heat-ablazin, we set our sails back to Kyoto.

(kind of cool to say were literally back where we started)

Instead of heading home, however, we headed to get me a traditional KIMONO. These ladies were AMAZING

Mamma saymamma ASAKUSA

YOU GUYSSSSsss.... I bought a Tea Set today! WHAT. I have always said I wanted a legit tea set from Japan and I actually bought one. How I am going to put it in my suitcase to fly back home... I am not QUITE sure, but I am glad I got it done. Crunchy (Natalie caruncho) went on for Carla today and Genny Lis... haha went on for Nina. It was a great combination and the show went really well. I am getting a little antsy to see my Dad and Grandmother tomorrow.

I am excited but nervous for our trip because my Grandmother, though in good spirits, is not as.. well ADVENTUROUS as my dad is. :) BUT getting a Kimono in my grandmother's presence is something I have dreamed about since I was little. It is only half of me, but its something very important to me and something I take great pride in being a part of.

OK and for a change of pace... I am going out now to see what the FIERCE JApanese hiphop scene is giving me. Cant wait. miss you mommy

ARCADE PICS

Tokyo Bay Cruise ETC...

So, the audiences here are VERY quiet, but sooo respectful. I got a couple gifts from our fans and our Usnavi got chocolates with his FACE on the wrapper! WHAT??? I was amazed.

Sushi is much different here than the US, obviously. I am actually excited to go back and have all of the rolls that aren't actually Japanese--horrible. Sort of funny. BUT THE FISH IS IMPECCABLE. So fresh, and so clean clean haha, just kidding. I am going to be spoiled. Their Eel MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH. Honestly, I don't think Ill be able to eat the Eel in the US anymore ;)

A group of us went on a bay cruise Friday night because we had the night off. Rebecca planned it for us and it was so much fun, although expensive. We got an amazing view of the bridge and the sights of Tokyo at night. We definitely had a "photoshoot" on the deck of the boat, which was so random and also FUN. I love our group for reals.

A Dream....

THIS IS A DREAM.

1-I am in my #1 destination in the world

2-I am living with and around people I love and respect

3-I am experiencing my true culture

4-I am learning Japanese (slowly)

5-I am here for work.... something I happen to LOVE and was ALSO a goal of mine.

Jet-lagged or not, food allergies and eating habit differences or not, language barrier or not.... THIS IS A DREAM.

Thank you I am sooooooo very grateful.

TOKYO DAY 1 :) Hello from Harajuku

So the cast pretty much ate at the same restaurant last night, not planned. Jet lagged beyond all belief, we lost our minds at the table :) Here is the best miso soup I have ever had:

Today, we went to Harajuku! I could not believe I was actually standing there, where I have always wanted to be. It is a great feeling, being where you are supposed to be.

Costa Mesa weekly...

Wow so Costa Mesa has been amazing! I spent the first week with my best friend in Yorba Linda and we visited and caught up. We went to the US Surf Open in Huntington Beach on Friday, which was PACKED and also full of sun! I have a crooked tan line and a BIG smile on my face ;)

I went on as Carla in Costa Mesa for 2 shows and, God Bless them... My mother and father got to see me perform. It was an awesome feeling in 96k to say. thank you mom and dad.

OK I will update with pictures tomorrow but I need some sleep on my day off!

Ill Be ON in Costa Mesa beginning of the first week! Aug 3

OK ITS OFFICIAL. I JUST GOT WORD I WILL BE GOING ON IN SAN DIEGO TUESDAY, JULY 27TH 7PM

Buy Tickets Now and Recognize me in a plaid skirt!!!!

Tuesday, July 27th San Diego Civic In The Heights!!!!

(another weekend date to come)

North County Times Features Morales and I

Click on the link below for actual article (share)

Lead role in 'In the Heights' a dream come true for actor

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By PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY - For the North County Times | Posted: July 21, 2010 10:00 am | No Comments Posted | Print

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Joan Marcus"In the Heights" plays July 27-Aug. 1 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

What could be better than landing the lead in a national touring show? How about making your debut in the town where your family lives?

Yes, actor Joseph Morales' dream is coming true in a big way.

Until a year ago, Morales' resume contained only a few major professional credits. He appeared off-Broadway in "Henry and Mudge," and toured in "Bombay Dreams" and "Rock of Ages."

He started out in the ensemble of the national tour for "In the Heights," and one night he went on in the role of Sonny. The director saw him and bumped him up to the part in the L.A. company. The actor playing Sonny traditionally understudies the lead character, Usnavi, too.

In the L.A. production, Lin-Manuel Miranda is playing Usnavi, the part he created on Broadway. Miranda is also the show's Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist. That meant that Morales was now Miranda's understudy.

"This has been huge for me," said Morales. " It's pretty unbelievable, because it's rare for a company to bump an understudy up. But I decided I was going to fight for it."

"In the Heights" is a tapestry of a musical that interweaves a variety of musical styles (hip-hop, salsa, rap, soul and merengue) as a large cast of characters lives out three days in the racially diverse Washington Heights community of New York City. The show was nominated for 13 Tonys and won for Best Musical.

Usnavi, who owns a neighborhood bodega (convenience store) dreams of leaving the Heights for his parents' native Dominican Republic, and he pines for flirty, uptown-bound beautician Vanessa. Meanwhile, his Puerto Rican neighbors Kevin and Camila may be forced to sell their taxi business to pay the tuition for their brainy daughter Nina's education at Stanford. Vandals destroy Usnavi's store and Nina's future seems all but lost, but Usnavi's grandmother is hiding a valuable secret ---- a lottery ticket that could solve all of their problems.

The heart and soul of the story is Usnavi, the role Morales will now play on the national tour.

"This is one of those roles that comes around once in a lifetime," said Morales. "It's a part I can put my whole heart into."

Watching Miranda perform the role has helped Morales be ready for this opportunity.

"Lin has been an open book for me." he said. "We do the show together every night. He wrote the role, and as I watch him, I can see his intentions. He's also been helping me with the raps by making me freestyle with him, which I've failed miserably. It's just something he's brilliant at."

Morales isn't the only "In the Heights" cast member with a local connection. Ensemble member Morgan Matayoshi was born and raised in Vista.

Matayoshi started performing at Vista's Moonlight Amphitheatre at age 8 and studied ballet at Janice Lee's ballet school in Encinitas. After graduating as valedictorian from Guajome Park Academy in Vista, she went on to graduate from Boston University and has been working as a dancer, actress and singer in Los Angeles ever since. She's booked with the "In the Heights" tour through October and is looking forward to visiting with her family, which now lives in Fallbrook, when she's in town next week.

While the story is about a Dominican-American neighborhood, Morales thinks it speaks to everyone.

"This story is so universal," he said. "It's really the American story, because we're all immigrants. The story is really hundreds of stories about going back to our roots and how everyone's story affects one another."

Morales will begin playing Usnavi in San Diego. Even though he spent much of his childhood in Hawaii and now makes New York City his home, much of his family now lives in San Diego. They will all be there when he steps into the leading role, and that fits the show's theme as well.

"This show is about family and who you are and where you came from," he said. "It's about being proud of who you are and being proud of the legacy you leave behind."

"In the Heights"

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. July 29; 8 p.m. July 30; 2 and 8 p.m. July 31; 1 and 6 p.m. Aug. 1

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 3rd and B Street, San Diego

Tickets: $18-$79

Info: 619-570-1100

Web: www.BroadwaySD.com

Posted in Theatre on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 10:00 am | Tags: Entertainment Preview, Nct, Theater,

LOS ANGELES!

So many things in Los Angeles! I am so sad to leave the city, my friends and family, but I am so thrilled to visit my parents for a full week and be in San Diego with the people I grew up with.

I am having a going away dinner tonight in burbank, along with a celebration for my hairstylist, Lauren Arington's Birthday. She works @ Dej in Sherman oaks--GO!

P.S. I am so sorry I have not updated since the beginning of Los Angeles. I tend to do them all at once, if you couldn't already tell :)

Shaun Taylor-Corbett and I on his last show with the tour in Los Angeles. (he will be joining the Broadway Cast as Sonny)

Tour Backstage with the Young professionals of Los Angeles (Good Shepherd Center)

Me with the Young Professionals on Set

OK, this deserves a STORY.

Our friends backstage wanted to be Carla and Daniela one night. SO we made their dreams come true. I helped them with makeup and hair! It was so much fun and a little scary because look at them.... which one of these is not like the other one?

Sabrina's Last Show :( She is off to have a beautiful baby boy with her hubby! CONGRATS Sloans!!

Remember when I was on for the red dress?? This is my Dad and Aunt Marsha on Abuela's stoop the night I went on! I was so grateful that they came. I love them soooo much.

The W + Taye Diggs + Heights Cast=FUN!!!!

See? So a lot has happened since we got to LA and this is what we have been doing. A little bit of business and a little bit of fun!

Morgan Matayoshi - "You Gotta Be"

In The Heights Benefit @ Barre LA

Morgan Matayoshi Singing "You Gotta Be"

I have a better version of this myself, and I will also be adding a full length benefit video!

more pictures from the opening!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189931&id=76947444684&page=3

Pictures from the LA Opening of In The Heights! Take a Look!