Keenan Scott II and Tre Matthews will showcase their new musical The Return of Young Boy in a concert evening at 54 Below, set for October 18 at 7 PM. The evening will feature performances from Phoenix Best (The Color Purple), Esau Pritchett (Thoughts of a Colored Man), and Roya Marsh (How to Make It in Black America), along with other special guests. Press notes are also promising a "special announcement" at the concert.
The new work follows the titular Young Boy as he returns home after a five-year trek to become the next griot after his grandfather's death. He soon learns that his grandfather may not have been the man he thought him to be. Set in New York City, the musical is inspired by African folklore and ancient civilizations. It also explores, according to press notes, "family, generational trauma, PTSD, and the tribal nature of humanity." Scott and Matthews' score is reportedly an amalgamation of rhythm and blues, hip-hop, gospel, amapiano, and SLAM poetry.
Rashad McPherson is music directing, and Steve H. Broadnax III will direct. The Return of Young Boy is a reunion for Scott and Broadnax. The latter directed Scott's play Thoughts of a Colored Man in its 2021 Broadway debut.
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