A new single from the forthcoming EP of Off-Broadway's Goddess releases March 21, and we've got a first listen! That EP, titled Moto Moto Presents Nights in Mobasa, will release April 11, dropping just before the new work is set to begin previews at The Public Theater April 29. The musical will open May 20 and continue through June 1. Saheem Ali is directing. Pre-order and pre-save the full EP here.
Hear songwriter Michael Thurber and star Austin Scott sing "Boom Boom" above. The track will hit streaming platforms March 21.
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. Featuring music and lyrics by Thurber and a book by Ali with additional book material by James Ijames (Fat Ham), the work received its world premiere in 2022 at Berkeley Rep. Read the reviews from that run here.
The upcoming Off-Broadway bow will feature much of the cast from the Berkeley Rep premiere, with Tony nominee Amber Iman leading the cast as Nadira alongside Melessie Clark as Mosi, Teshomech Olenja as Tisa, Destinee Rea as Cheche, Awa Sal Secka as Zawadi, and Reggie White as Balozi. Returning to the musical's ensemble will be 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 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.
Ali, who conceived the work, also directed the 2022 world premiere, and has reassembled 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.
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