A world premiere musical written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat), with music by Tony and Grammy Award winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), lyrics by two-time Tony nominee and Drama Desk winner Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), and directed by Tony winner Sam Gold (Fun Home); based on the best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd.
Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed, Hair) will star as Rosaleen, a Black caretaker who embarks on a pursuit with the young Lily, played by Elizabeth Teeter (The Audience, The Crucible), to uncover the mystery of Lily’s mother’s death against the backdrop of 1960s South Carolina.
LaChanze (a Tony winner for The Color Purple) will play beekeeper August Boatwright, with Eisa Davis (Kings) as June, Tony nominee Manoel Felciano as T-Ray, Brett Gray (On My Block) as Zach, and Anastacia McCleskey (Waitress) as May.
The ensemble will include: Jai’Len Christine Li Josey, Romelda Teron Benjamin, Joe Cassidy, Vita E. Cleveland, and Matt DeAngelis. Additional casting will be announced later.
A world premiere musical from a powerhouse creative team that brought you some of the greatest works of the past three decades: Sweat, Spring Awakening, Working and Fun Home.
South Carolina, 1964. Lily Owens, a restless white teenager, struggles with her merciless father and the haunting memory of her mother’s death. When Rosaleen, her black caregiver, is beaten and jailed for asserting her right to vote, Lily’s rebellious spirit is ignited. She and Rosaleen escape on an adventure where they are taken in by a trio of black beekeeping sisters. While Lily tries to unlock the secrets of her past, she and Rosaleen find solace in the mesmerizing world of bees and spirituality in this extraordinary tale of awakening, fellowship and healing.
Really looking forward to this!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
I'm glad they held back some tickets for Back25. I panicked like a month ago when it seemed like previews were entirely sold out. I'm curious to see if the show is good but also if it proves to be a hot ticket. I am terrible at predicting these things.
I love the casting and creative team right now minus Duncan Sheik but with so many strong collaborators, hopefully his influence will be minimized. Cautiously optimistic.