Recent Broadway Lempicka star Amber Iman will lead the company of The Public Theater's Goddess, set to make its New York debut at the Off-Broadway company beginning April 29, 2025. Opening night is May 20, and performances are set to continue through June 1. Saheem Ali is directing the work, which features music and lyrics by Michael Thurber and a book by Jocelyn Bioh (Jaja's African Hair Braiding).
The musical previously played a world premiere engagement at Berkeley Rep in 2022. Much of that cast will reprise their performances Off-Broadway, including Iman as Nadine, Melessie Clark as Mosi, Teshomech Olenja as Tisa, Destinee Rea as Cheche, Awa Sal Secka as Zawadi, and Reggie White as Balozi, along with ensemble members Isio-Maya Nuwere, Quiantae Thomas, and Wade Watson. New to the company will be Nick Rashad Burroughs as Ahmed, Arica Jackson as Rashida, J Paul Nicholas as Hassan, and Austin Scott as Omari. Additional casting is to be announced. The project's original casting is by Whitley Theatrical, and Taylor Williams is handling The Public's staging.
The original musical, inspired by the myth of Marimba, centers on a mysterious singer who arrives in a Kenyan Afro-jazz club and casts her spell on everyone, including a young man visiting home from studying in America who suddenly questions his life plans. The work received its world premiere in 2022 at Berkeley Rep. Read the reviews from that run here.
Ali, who conceived the work, also directed the 2022 world premiere, and has re-assembled that creative team for the Off-Broadway bow, including choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie, scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Bradley King, and sound designer Nevin Steinberg. Victoria Navarro will serve as production stage manager, with further creative team members to be announced.
“When I was in my late teens growing up in Kenya, I dreamt of one day creating an original musical inspired by a myth about the goddess of music,” shared Ali in an earlier statement. “Years later, after immigrating to the United States, I gained the courage to pursue this vision. It’s been quite a journey! At the core of the story—about the intersection of the creative and the divine—is a reminder that one can only step into one’s power by accepting one’s truth. I’m grateful to my creative siblings, Michael Thurber, Jocelyn Bioh, and Darrell Grand Moultrie, for sticking beside me through the years, as we now bring this beautiful story set in my home country to my artistic home, The Public Theater.”
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