TheaterWorksUSA, Edgewood Entertainment, and The Apollo will present invitation-only readings of the new Hip Hop/R&B musical Long Way Down October 27-28 at the Apollo Soundstage at Harlem's Apollo Theater.

The cast will feature Tyrese Shawn Avery (And Just Like That) as Will, Dyllón Burnside (Thoughts of a Colored Man) as Mark, Cheryse Dyllan (A Vigilante) as Dani, Blaine Krauss (The Cher Show) as Frick, Daniel Kyri (Chicago Fire) as Mike, Jade Jones (School Girls, or the African Mean Girls Play at Round House Theatre) as Buck, Victor Musoni (Toni Stone at the Goodman) as Shawn, and Zurin Villanueva (Mean Girls) as Shari.

Adapted from the New York Times best-selling novel by Jason Reynolds, Long Way Down features a book, music, and lyrics by poet, performance artist, and musician Dahlak Brathwaite (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam), additional writing by Khiyon Hursey (Netflix’s Soundtrack), and co-choreography by Ken-Matt Martin and Victor Musoni. Martin also directs with scenic and lighting design by Simean Carpenter.

The new musical follows 15-year-old Will, who is raised to follow three rules: no crying, no snitching, and always seek revenge. Following the murder of his brother, Will enters an elevator intent on revenge, but on the way down to the ground floor is haunted by ghosts of family and community.

The rolling world premiere of Long Way Down will be presented May 22-June 23, 2024, at Maryland's Olney Theatre Center and at The Apollo’s Victoria Theater in October 2024, with production dates to be announced.