Black No More Musical, with Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter, Lillias White, Brandon Victor Dixon, delayed previews
Howard McGillin and Gaelen Gilliland have joined the cast of The New Group’s Off-Broadway World Premiere.
The New Group World Premiere More black—the new musical inspired by George S. Schuyler’s 1931 Afro-futuristic novel of the same name set during the Harlem Renaissance – will premiere a week later than previously announced. Originally scheduled to start on January 11 and officially open on February 8, production will now begin premieres on January 18 before opening on February 15 due to COVID-19.
The production also announced that Howard McGillin (The mystery of Edwin Drood, Everything is fine) and Gaelen Gilliland (The revenge of a blonde, Sponge Bob SquarePants) joined the cast, replacing Walter Bobbie and Katie Thompson, respectively, who had to step down.
Howard mcgillin
Directed by Scott Elliott with choreography by Tony winner Bill T. Jones, the production will also star The Roots’ Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter – who also composed the show – with Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton, To be able to), Tony Lillias White winner (Chicago, life), Jennifer Damiano (Next to normal), Tamika Laurent (If so), Théo Stockman (American psychopath), Tracy Shayne (Bronx bombers), Ephraim Sykes (Isn’t that too proud, Hamilton).
The set includes Leanne Antonio, Rhaamell Burke-Missouri, Elijah A. Carter, Ryan Fitzgerald, Polanco Jones Jr., Zachary Daniel Jones, Sarah Meahl, Mary Page Nance, Oneika Phillips, Nicholas Ranauro, Malaiyka Reid, Mars Rucker, Angela M Sauers, Akron Watson, Nyla Watson and Edward Watts.
The musical, originally announced for fall 2020, tells the story of Max Disher (Dixon), who is eager to try out the mysterious machine invented by Dr. Junius Crookman (Trotter) that guarantees to “solve the problem of the American race “- turning black people white.
More black features music and lyrics by Trotter and a book by John Ridley as well as musical supervision, orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Daryl Waters. Upcoming directing will also include musical direction and dance arrangements by Zane Mark, stage design by Derek McLane, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, Nikiya Mathis’ wig and hair design; and the casting of Rebecca Scholl and Kristian Charbonier from Telsey’s office.
The associate director is Monet, the artistic associate is Shariffa Ali, the associate choreographer is Antonio Brown, the production manager is Valerie A. Peterson and Nicole Iovino is the assistant stage manager.
