SLIPPIN' THROUGH THE CRACKS Musical Developmental Reading

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/1/23 at 12:42pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Walter-Russell-III-Cedric-Lemar-More-to-Lead-SLIPPIN-THROUGH-THE-CRACKS-Developmental-Reading-20230301

A developmental reading of Slippin' Through the Cracks, the new musical about the legendary bluesman, Bobby Rush, will be presented to an invitation-only industry audience in New York City on Tuesday, March 7th and Wednesday, March 8th.

Nathan Gehan and Jamison Scott of ShowTownProductions, Wendall K. Harrington and Stephen Lloyd Helper are developing Slippin' Through the Cracks the inspiring, yet little-known story of Bobby Rush, told by a cast of 15 actors and 5 musicians who play family members, business associates, fellow artists and others in Rush's exciting and turbulent life. As a thrilling coda to the musical, Mr. Rush joins the company on stage performing a final song in the show.

The cast for the industry presentation of Slippin' Through the Cracks includes Walter Russell III (Broadway's MJ The Musical and the youngest-ever winner of a Grammy® Award) as Young Bobby Rush, Cedric Lemar (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Santa Cruz Shakespeare) as Bobby Rush, Mark Henderson (TV's "Hawthorne" and "Jag" as Emmett Eliss Sr. and Older Bobby Rush. And Bobby Rush as himself!

Playing other roles, including family members, Blues great koko Taylor, Howlin' Wolf, James Brown, Rufus Thomas, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Calvin Carter, B.B. King, Little Walter, JB Lenoir, Mel London, artist manager Scott Campbell, Leonard Chez (of Chess Records) are Melvin Abston (Death of a Salesman [2022], Sister Act), Max Clayton (The Music Man [2022], Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Hosea Griffith (Opera Mississippi, The Magic of Opera), Sheldon Henry (Tina), David Jennings (Tina, Once On This Island [2017]), Jessie Lenat ("Sneaky Peat", Lizan Mitchell (Ohio State Murders), Kyle Taylor Parker (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kinky Boots), Akilah Ayanna Sailers (Mrs. Doubtfire), Carla R. Stewart (Tina, The Color Purple [2015]) and NaTasha Yvette Williams (Some Like it Hot, The Color Purple [2015]).

The music and lyrics for Slippin' Through the Cracks are by Bobby Rush. The book is by Mr. Rush and Stephen Lloyd Helper, who conceived the Broadway hit Smokey Joe's Café. Mr. Helper also serves as co-director of the production. The musical is co-directed by Arminda Thomas, with musical direction by Felton Offard. Stage directions are being read by Asha Etchison. Casting is The Telsey Office.