"In The Heights" tells the story of a vibrant community called "Washington Heights" – the one in New York City, not Milwaukee – that's on the cusp of change. However, even though the play is not set in Milwaukee, there is a native of Brew City in the cast.

Kyle Parker, who graduated from the Milwaukee High School of the Arts in 2007, is in the ensemble as well as the understudy for the role of Benny.

"In The Heights" will be at the Milwaukee Theatre for three performances: Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $33, but discounts are available.

Parker also performed in Milwaukee Repertory Theater's summer program and performed with the Florentine Opera and the Modjeska Youth Theater. "In The Heights" is his first national tour.

Two years ago, Parker, who now lives in New York City, auditioned for the Broadway version of the play. He was cast in the tour last September, and since mid-October, has done about 130 shows.

"It gets exhausting," says Parker, 22. "But it's hard to complain about feeling tired when you're doing what you love. I spent so much time auditioning and working just to get to this point that all I can say is that it's great to be here."

"In The Heights" features lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and is also a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. Miranda wrote the first half of the show when he was a sophomore in college in 1999.

The Broadway show opened in 2008 and was later nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning four: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler) and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman).

The story revolves around characters' lives over the course of three days in a neighborhood that's predominantly Domingo-American. Parker appreciates the show's focus on community and family. He says he misses his family, particularly his 9-year-old sister, since moving to New York.

Parker is taking to life on the road well, although he says eating healthy is the biggest challenge when touring.

"It's like one big college road trip," he says. "We work, play and travel together. It's a lot of fun."

The tour closes in June of 2012. Parker hopes it will continue, and that there will be a place for him, but he has many goals for the future. He says he has a "huge career" planned that includes performing on Broadway, directing, writing and teaching.

But for Parker, performance is more than what happens on the stage. It's about standing for what you believe in and being both activist and artist.

"When an actor is doing the role for a greater reason, you can feel this incredible energy from him," says Parker. "I want to give voice to someone who is usually muted in society."

When he's not touring, Parker tries to enjoy himself as much as possible and is having fun discovering his new city.

"I love New York City. I'm already a New York City rat. I love the museums the most, but if the sun is out, and I have a day off, I like to just walk and walk and walk. It doesn't matter where I'm going," he says.