A landmark of Black television is making its way to Broadway with an all-star team of Black creatives leading the charge. On June 3, 2025, producer Brian Anthony Moreland announced the development of Polly: The Musical, a new stage adaptation of the 1989 Disney film Polly and the novel by Eleanor H. Porter. Two-time Tony Award winner Debbie Allen, who directed the original film, will return to direct and choreograph the Broadway-bound production.

Joining Allen to bring this story to the stage are Emmy-winning writer and producer Lena Waithe and actor-playwright Michael Benjamin Washington, who will co-write the book. The music and lyrics will be handled by Grammy winner Siedah Garrett (Man in the Mirror) and rising musical theatre writer Joriah Kwamé (Little Miss Perfect).

Set in 1950s Alabama, Polly centers around a relentlessly optimistic young Black girl whose joy and positivity challenge the divisions of a segregated Southern town. Originally adapted for television by Debbie Allen in 1989, the film starred Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, and Dorian Harewood (The Notebook: The Musical) Barbara Montgomery (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Raisin), Vanessa Bell Calloway (Purlie Victorious, Dreamgirls), Brandon Quintin Adams (“Moonwalker,” “Mighty Ducks”), Ken Page (Ain’t Misbehavin‘, The Wiz, Cats), Brock Peters (Lost in the Stars, The Caucasian Chalk Circle), George Anthony Bell (Timbuktu), Michael Peters (Dreamgirls, Comin’ Uptown) Vickilyn Reynolds (Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk)  and featured the final screen performance of Butterfly McQueen, best known for her role as Prissy in Gone with the Wind. A sequel, Polly: Comin’ Home, aired in 1990.

“The message of Polly is one that we need today more than ever,” Allen shared. “ That the power of a single positive voice can make change in the face of adversity and divisiveness; that the voice of a child could bring unity and hope — is what Polly is about. This musical, with its joy and its unbridled hope, will shine a light on a path for every audience to find unity in their community.”

Producer Brian Moreland added, “This team of creative all-stars is exactly what Polly needs to bring her story to the stage. With Debbie’s brilliant hands back on the steering wheel, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working together with them to share this experience with the world.”

A Legacy of Black Excellence

Debbie Allen’s return to the director’s chair for Polly is nothing short of full-circle. A Howard University alum, Kennedy Center honoree, and Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning icon, Allen has choreographed the Oscars ten times and directed for shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Empire, and Insecure. Her Broadway and Hollywood legacy spans decades—and generations.

Lena Waithe continues to blaze trails as the creator of The Chi, the screenwriter of Queen & Slim, and the producer behind A Thousand and One and Being Mary Tyler Moore. This marks another major step into theatre for the Hillman Grad founder, following her producer credit on Ain’t No Mo’.

Michael Benjamin Washington, a powerhouse in both acting and playwriting, brings a deep understanding of political and cultural storytelling, including his critically acclaimed Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin. His turn as James Baldwin on MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem further shows his range in capturing Black icons with nuance and fire.

Music with Heart and History

Siedah Garrett’s name is synonymous with hits like Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and “Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls, which earned her a Grammy and an Oscar nomination. Her work is featured in MJ the Musical and The Color Purple musical film adaptation. Garrett’s songwriting has always held emotional weight—and her theatrical work is no different.

Joining her is Joriah Kwamé, the emerging force behind the viral song “Little Miss Perfect,” and co-writer of “Top of the World” for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Kwamé represents the next generation of musical theatre writers—a visionary voice continuing the legacy of Black storytelling on Broadway.

With a team like this, Polly: The Musical is shaping up to be a powerful blend of nostalgia, Black girl joy, and intergenerational storytelling with modern musical edge. General management will be provided by KGM Theatricals, and additional creative team members and casting will be announced soon.

Broadway better get ready—Polly is coming, and she’s bringing hope, harmony, and a whole lot of history with her.

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Follow Broadway Black for updates on casting, previews, and more about Polly: The Musical

The post Broadway-Bound Polly: The Musical Taps All-Black Creative Team Including Debbie Allen and Lena Waithe appeared first on Broadway Black.

Page is no stranger to the stage, either on Broadway or in St. Louis. He made his Broadway debut starring in an all Black 1976 revival of Guys and Dolls.  A year later he took on the role of the Cowardly Lion in the hit Broadway production of The Wiz. He was an original cast member in Ain’t Misbehavin’ for which he won his Drama Desk Award. Page also originated the role of Old Deuteronomy in the 1982 Broadway production of Cats. Stretching his talents across Broadway, Off-Broadway, The West End, and regionally, Page has worked up a diverse career! Most recently he wrote and directed Café Chanson for Upstream Theatre which garnered recognition from the St. Louis Critics Awards, including nominations for both Best New Play and Best Director.  As if his career on stage wasn’t enough, Page also has his fair share of television and film credits. He has been seen in some of my childhood favorites such as “Touched By An Angel” and “Family Matters,” and voiced “Oogie Boogie” in the cult classic, “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Let us not forget to mention Page’s presence in the 2006 film, “Dreamgirls!” 

With a career spanning over 40 years, it’s a no brainer to see what this man has up his sleeves. He’s attributing a lot of what makes this show work to the wonderful cast that’s on board. He says:

 A play is, after all is said and done, in the hands of the cast, and what a wonderful cast I have! I can’t wait to see them all shine.

Sublime Intimacy is produced by Max & Louie Productions and stars Alfredo Sullivan (Dance Theatre of Harlem) as The Dancer. The rest of the cast includes: Bethany Barr, John Flack, J. Samuel David, Luke Streingruby, and Reginald Pierre. 

The post Ken Page Presents World Premiere of His Play, Sublime Intimacy appeared first on Broadway Black.

This production is not only a beautiful telling of this story, but it allows for something that the recent film version did not — the inclusion of people of color in the cast. Too often in tales of the future, presumed antiquity, and even the realm of fantasy, artists of color are seldom seen. Sadly, this has been a long-standing tradition on stage and screen with a resolution only really beginning within the past decade.

Ken Page employs the humor and charisma that audiences enjoyed in Ain’t Misbehavin’ in his portrayal of “The Narrator,” and Heather Headley’s powerful and beautifully crisp voice wraps around Sondheim’s delicious music as  “The Witch.” The incredible ensemble fully inhabits a multi-dimensional set designed by Michael Schweikardt and bold, outstanding costumes by Andrea Lauer.

The outdoor Muny Theater in St. Louis has almost 11,000 seats, with 1500 of them offered free of charge for this production. Therefore, in every performance, audiences from all walks of life will not only be able to see an impactful story about humanity, they will be able to see humans of a different hue tell it — even some that look like them.

Directed by Gary Griffin (The Color Purple), this classic musical fable about wishes, choices, and consequences will run at The Muny in St. Louis’ Forest Park until July 27. For tickets and more information, visit www.muny.org.

Happily, The Muny has provided an extensive trailer for those of us who will miss this extraordinary production. Check it out below!

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