The cast includes co-creator Griffin Matthews, along with Melody Betts, Rodrick Covington, Kevin Curtis, Tyrone Davis, Jr., Nkrumah Gatling, Latrisa Harper, Jason Herbert, Aisha Jackson, Kristolyn Lloyd, Michael Lluwoye, Corey Mach, Tiffany Mann, Jeremy Pope, Jamard Richardson, Nicolette Robinson, Adeola Role, Conor Ryan, and Jamar Williams.

“Determined to find his place in the world, 20-something Griffin leaves his job and his New York City apartment to volunteer for a charity in Africa. But when his altruistic aspirations collide with the real world, his life is changed in unexpected and profound ways. Inspired by a true story, this new musical infuses a world pop score with African beats in a journey about discovering whether changing the world is even possible.”

As Broadway Black already reported last month, the show was able to crowd-fund enough money to send the the cast, creators and a film crew to Uganda. In preparation for the New York premiere they met with the real-life Ugandan students the story is based on, participated in service projects, mentored orphans, and worked alongside local artists to take part in an exchange that will help to shape their performances and lives! Their main goal was to  connect with the people and places that have inspired the show and to come home and share an authentic theater experience with audiences in New York City!

Invisible Thread will be produced produced in association with the American Repertory Theater, where the musical held its world premiere in February 2014 under the title of Witness Uganda. Invisible Thread will begin previews at the Tony Kiser Theatre on October 31, with an official opening on  December 2, and a limited run through to December 27.

FIRST NYC REHEARSAL!! A million thank yous to every actor, director, production team, friend, family and supporter who has been a part of this journey. You are with us today. And we celebrate YOU!! There is a long invisible…

A photo posted by Witness Uganda (@witnessuganda) on Sep 14, 2015 at 9:08am PDT

The post Invisible Thread Cast Announced After Return From Uganda appeared first on Broadway Black.

Amazing Grace 

• Theatre: Nederlander Theatre
• First Preview: June 25, 2015
• Opening: July 16, 2015
• Written by Arthur Giron (Book), Arthur Giron and Christopher Smith (Music & Lyrics)
• Director: Gabriel Barre
• Cast: Josh Young, Erin Mackey, Chuck Cooper, Harriet D. Foy, Laiona Michelle, Rachael Ferrera
• A new-original musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A tale of romance, rebellion and redemption that follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.
• Website: http://amazinggracemusical.com/

Hamilton  

• Theatre: Richard Rodgers Theatre
• First Preview: July 13, 2015
• Opening: August 6, 2015
• Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Book, Music & Lyrics)
• Director: Thomas Kail
• Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo
• Originally premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theatre, Hamilton makes its move to the Great White Way. From bastard orphan to Washington’s right hand man, rebel to war hero, loving husband caught in the country’s first sex scandal to Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy, Hamilton is an exploration of a political mastermind.
• Website: http://www.hamiltonbroadway.com/

The Gin Game 

• Theatre: Golden Theatre
• First Preview: Sept. 21, 2015
• Opening: Oct. 13, 2015
• Written by D.L. Coburn
• Director: Leonard Foglia
• Cast: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson
• An elderly couple at a nursing home play an increasingly tense series of gin rummy games as they expose truths about their failures, disappointments and insecurities.

The Color Purple

• Theatre: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
• First Preview: November 9, 2015
• Opening: December 10, 2015
• Written by Marsha Norman (Book), Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray (Music & Lyrics), Alice Walker (Novel)
• Director: John Doyle
• Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks
• Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple follows the inspirational Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. Tickets go on sale June 30.
• Website: http://colorpurple.com/

Shuffle Along 

• Theatre: Music Box Theatre
• First Preview: March 14, 2016
• Opening: April 21, 2016
• Written by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle (Music), George C. Wolfe (Book)
• Director: George C. Wolfe, Savion Glover (Choreography)
• Cast: Audra McDonald, 
• A backstage musical about the events that led to the creation of the groundbreaking Eubie Blake-Noble Sissle 1921 musical Shuffle Along that starred Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson

Children of a Lesser God

• Theatre: TBA
• Target Opening: 2015-16 Season
• Written by Mark Medoff
• Director: Kenny Leon
• Cast: TBA
• The story of James Leeds, a new teacher at a school for the deaf, and Sarah Norman, the school’s one-time star student who has stayed behind as its cleaning woman rather than venturing out into the hearing world. James immediately takes a keen interest in Sarah, and tries to persuade her to communicate orally by lip reading. They soon embark on an emotional journey that will teach them both new ways of communicating and loving and, in the process, they build a romance beyond words.

With such an awesome and diverse lineup–both on stage and behind the scenes– our hope is that these shows can and will be seen by as many people as possible, to show the theatre world what else there is to offer. More diverse storytelling leads to a more diverse audience, which keeps the theatre alive. So do me and everyone else here at Broadway Black a huge favor; if you can get your hands on these tickets GO and while you’re at it, tell a friend or two.

The post Broadway Is The New Black: 2015-16 Season Line-Up appeared first on Broadway Black.

Continuing their exploration of Bertolt Brecht, Classic Stage Company and Brian Kulick tackle one of Brecht’s most famous plays. 

From the Classic Stage Company’s website:

The indomitable Mother Courage follows one luckless army after another across a war-torn world in her canteen wagon. She’ll do anything to hold onto her money-making wagon, even if it means the loss of her children. Experience a timeless tale of war updated to the modern-day conflagration in the Congo, with a new and vibrant score by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening, American Psycho).

Performances are currently scheduled for Dec. 7 through Jan. 24, 2016.

The post Tonya Pinkins to Star in Classic Stage Company’s Mother Courage appeared first on Broadway Black.