Five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman is directing an upcoming industry presentation of in-development musical Angel of Arkansas, with a book, music, and lyrics by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor. The presentation will be held February 23 at Perelman Performing Arts Center.
The new work centers on a real-life single mother who became an advocate, activist, and caregiver to AIDS patients in conservative Arkansas in the '80s. The story is accompanied by an original country-pop score.
Kerry Butler is starring, leading a company that also includes Andy Mientus, Mauricio Martínez, Josh Strickland, Dudney Joseph Jr, Nic Rouleau, James Harkness, Sam Simahk, Jacob Keith Watson, Shavey Brown, Joel Waggoner, Bud Weber, Nicholas Rodriguez, and John Michaelangelo Kraus.
Stroman has assembled a creative team that includes music director Annbritt duChateau, vocal designer Ann Marie Milazzo, sound designer John Shivers, and score supervisor Jacob Fjeldheim. Live Wire Theatrical is serving as general manager.
