SOUL The Stax Musical

May 03–June 10

Book by Matthew Benjamin
Music and Lyrics by Various Stax Artists
Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah
CHOREOGRAPHY BY CHASE BROCK | PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH STUART BENJAMIN AND CONCORD MUSIC

Most remaining performances are sold out. Please note: We are the only official ticket seller for SOUL The Stax Musical.

A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL

This world premiere musical is inspired by the legendary story of Stax Records and the rise of iconic artists such as Otis Redding, The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & The MG’s, Rufus & Carla Thomas, David Porter, Wilson Pickett, Johnnie Taylor, and Eddie Floyd—who created the very foundation of American Soul Music.

SOUL The Stax Musical celebrates how music brought Americans together during the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, and continues to bring generations together—from those who remember the early days of R&B, to those who are discovering these phenomenal artists today.

Content Advisory: This musical celebration set in the early years of the Civil Rights Movement contains some adult language and may be most suitable for middle school audiences and up.

Approximate running time is 2 hour and 15 minutes with one intermission.

Download Program

Made possible by

Miles & Stockbridge PC PNC NEA ArtWorks

Related Events

Media

Cast

Travante Baker*
Male Ensemble / Dance Captain

Kyle Bary*
Al Jackson, Jr.

Emmanuel Brown*
Male Ensemble

Kevin Carolan*
Jerry Wexler

Trevon Davis*
David Porter

Ricky Fante*
Otis Redding

Boise Holmes*
Isaac Hayes

David LaMarr*
Booker T. Jones

Robert Lenzi*
Jim Stewart

Anastacia McCleskey*
Deanie Parker

Mary Jo Mecca*
Estelle Axton

Warner Miller*
Al Bell

Chelsea Mitchell
Dancer

Wayne W. Pretlow*
Pops Staples

Skye Scott*
Steve Cropper

Allison Semmes*
Carla Thomas / Jean Knight

Scott Stangland*
Donald "Duck" Dunn

Jon Harrison Taylor*
Johnnie Taylor / Wilson Pickett

Tasha Taylor*
Mavis Staples / Mable John

Mari Andrea Travis
Dancer

Harrison White*
Rufus Thomas

Baltimore Center Stage: debut. Emmanuel is an actor and Obie-winning fight director. Broadway—Foxwoods Theatre: Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark; Cort Theatre: M. Butterfly. Regional—Park Ave Armory: The Hairy Ape; Signature Theatre: Big Love and Kung Fu; BAM: The Sweet Science Suite; Classical Theatre of Harlem: Macbeth, The Tempest, The Three Musketeers; Studio Theatre: Sucker Punch; La Jolla Playhouse: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. TV—Blindspot, Gotham, Elementary, Iron Fist, Forever, Taxi Brooklyn. Fight Direction—credits include Signature Theatre (Obie Award), Classical Theatre of Harlem, 59 E. 59th, BAM, La Mama Ellen Stewart Theatre. Emmanuel would like to thank God, his family, and his friends for their love and support.

Baltimore Center Stage: Fatty Falls Down (reading). Broadway—Disney’s Newsies (Gov. Roosevelt), Chicago (Amos, 10th Anniversary Celebration), Dirty Blonde(u/s Charlie). Off-Broadway—Encores: Pardon My English. Tours—Newsies (North America), Chicago (North America, Japan, Dubai, U.A.E.), Dirty Blonde (1st national). Regional—Paper Mill: Newsies; Goodman/Huntington: The Jungle Book (Baloo, dir. Mary Zimmerman); Bucks County: Clue (Col. Mustard); Theatre Aspen: Hairspray (Edna); Goodspeed: Happy Days The Musical; George Street: Lips Together, Teeth Apart; Signature Theatre: As the Curtain Rises; Ford’s Theatre: Kudzu. Film—Bear With Us, Disney’s Newsies, Can You Ever Forgive Me. TV—Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl (both dir. Martin Scorsese), Orange is the New Black, Gotham, The Good Wife, The Middle, Royal Pains, Fringe, The Michael J. Fox Show, Sonny with a Chance, Spin City. Awards—Outstanding Broadway Chorus (Newsies); Actors’ Equity Association; Best Supporting Actor (Musical, The Jungle Book); Independent Reviewers Of New England, (IRNE). kevincarolan.com; Twitter: @kevincarolan

DC native, and soul revivalist Ricky Fante, was weaned on endless Motown, Stax, and Blue Note records. The former choirboy developed his soulful vocal style during his teen years, mimicking Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley. His love of gospel came from the church, and his love of everything else came from his parents. A demo of his two-man group called Soul Surfers fell into the hands of A&R executive Josh Deutsch, lead to a development deal in 2001. In 2002, Fante hooked up with Norah Jones’ collaborator Jesse Harris, and began co-writing and recording for his debut record. In 2003, they released Introducing…Ricky Fante, a four song EP that served as a teaser for 2004’s full-length debut for Virgin Records, Rewind. He also performed at the 30th Anniversary Poretta Soul Festival in Italy. Regional theater credits include Hairspray (Seaweed) and the 42nd Street workshop (Rob Marshall). He appeared in films including The Temptations, Their Eyes Were Watching God, American Dream, Yours Mine and Ours. Talk show appearances include Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno, Good Morning America and Soul Train.

Baltimore Center Stage: debut. Broadway/International—The Lion King (3 years as Mufasa performing in German). Off Broadway—York Theatre: Trav’lin (George). Regional—Seattle Rep: Shout Sister Shout; LaMirada Theatre: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ken Page); Pasadena Playhouse: Shout Sister Shout (world premiere); Matrix Theatre: When Jazz Had the Blues (Duke Ellington, NAACP and Ovation Award winner); ICT: Flyin’ West (winner NAACP Award). Other—Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus); A Raisin in the Sun (Walter Lee), Big River (Jim), Purlie (Purlie); LA Philharmonic at Disney Concert Hall. He also writes and directs one-man vignettes that have been performed around the world, most recently TEDx Willow Creek. Awards—Winner of the National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center as Othello. Awarded a full scholarship to study at Oxford School of Drama where he played Macbeth. Film/TV—Kiss the Girls (w/ Morgan Freeman), Grey’s Anatomy, Black-ish, Chicago Fire, 30 Rock, Goliath, Law and Order: SVU, NCIS. Numerous commercials, voiceovers, motion capture video games. Boise is a Baltimore native. boiseholmes.com, @boisehomes

Baltimore Center Stage: debut. National Tour—Jersey Boys (2nd National). Regional—McCoy Rigby Entertainment: Dreamgirls (James “Thunder” Early, Ovation Award Nominee); Tuacahn Amphitheatre: Disney’s When You Wish (Sebastian/Terk, world premiere), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Sebastian, US regional premiere), Disney’s Mulan (Mushu, professional premiere), Sister Act (TJ), Grease (Jonny Casino), Beauty and the Beast (u/s Lumiere); Maltz Jupiter Theatre: The Wiz (Scarecrow); Cape Fear Regional Theatre: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Andre); Sierra Rep: Hairspray (Seaweed); SDMT: Smokey Joe’s Café (Ken), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Andre). International—Universal Studios Japan, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, and the world premiere cast of Disney’s Villains Tonight! (originating the roles of Dr. Facilier/Jafar). IG: @davidlamarr; Twitter: @david_lamarr

Baltimore Center Stage: SOUL The Stax Musical. Broadway—Waitress (Nurse Norma), Violet (Mabel/obc), The Book of Mormon, PQD (Diva/OBC), HAIR (Abraham Lincoln), Tarzan (obc). Off Broadway/NYC—Mighty Real, a Fabulous Sylvester Musical (Izora Rhodes/Off Broadway Alliance Award nom.), Radio City (Tracy), York Theater: Last Dance (Gaynor). Tour/International—Hairspray (1st national), Menier Chocolate Factory: What’s It All About (London), West End: Close To You. Regional—credits include Studio Theater: Murder Ballad (Narrator/Helen Hayes nom. Best Supporting Actress), Barrington Stage: Broadway Bounty Hunter (Janessa/Claudine), 5th Ave: Catch Me if You Can, among others. Film/TV—fka Turning Point (Becker), Madam Secretary, Marvel’s Daredevil, Public Morals, I Take Thee Zoe, SNL, Sex and the City 2. Choreography—Mighty Real, a Fabulous Sylvester Musical (Audelco Award nom). Other—Sang with Burt Bacharach and Patti LaBelle; back-up for Phil Collins, Martha Wash, Bette Midler, and Mariah Carey. Education—NSA/AMDA. anastaciamccleskey.com

Baltimore Center Stage: Pride & Prejudice (Mrs. Bennet). Regional—Farmers Alley: Gypsy (Rose); Portland Stage: Brighton Beach Memoirs (Kate); Geva Theatre: Superior Donuts (Randy Osteen); Active Theatre, NYC: Body Language, Bridgeboy; NYMF: Tess; Music Circus: Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Big River, Hello Dolly, Damn Yankees, Sister Act; Casa Manana: Sweeney Todd; Syracuse Stage: White Christmas; Guthrie Theatre: Little House on the Prairie; Westport Playhouse: A Christmas Carol; Interact Theatre: Death of a Salesman, Sganarelle, The Jealous Husband, As Bees in Honey Drown; Alabama Shakespeare: Man of La Mancha; Goodspeed: Amour; Seven Angels: Last of the Red Hot Lovers; Alley Theatre: Jekyll & Hyde; Odyssey Theatre: Stand-up Shakespeare; Pasadena Playhouse: Jerry Herman’s Showtune; Connecticut Rep: Into the Woods; Westbeth Theatre: Jonathan Larson’s Blocks; UMT Funny Girl. Film—Holes. TV—The Tap, Law & Order, L&O: Trial by Jury, Frasier, Guiding Light, Oh Baby! Recordings—Easter Mysteries, Mr. Confidential.

Baltimore Center Stage: Jazz. Selected theater credits include—The Billie Holiday Theatre’s recent production of The Old Settler directed by former Jazz actress and castmate, Michele Shay; McCarter Theatre Center: Antony & Cleopatra; The Convert (world premiere); Kirk Douglas Theatre; Goodman Theatre. Other selected credits—Arena Stage, Seattle Rep: Pullman Porter Blues (world premiere); Huntington Theatre: Fences (dir. Kenny Leon); Old Globe Theater: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; The Piano Lesson; A Raisin in the Sun; Since Africa. Film/TV credits include—Netflix: Marvel’s Luke Cage (Tone); HBO: Boardwalk Empire (Milton); American Gangster (Melvin Lucas, dir. by Ridley Scott); Law & Order, CSI: NY; Chicago PD.

Baltimore Center Stage: debut. Regional—Vocalist, 2015 Maryland Gubernatorial Inauguration; Point Park International Summer Dance Intensive: Robert Priore’s Casita (Dance Soloist); Kiki Lucas’ La Vida de la Rosa, (Ensemble, Pittsburgh). Film/TV—Opening Ceremony 2015 Special Olympics World Games: Stevie Wonder’s Fear Can’t Put Dreams to Sleep, (Dancer); J Balvin and Becky G, Ginza, (Dancer); Siedah Garret Reach up LA (Dancer, Los Angeles). Choreographer—Seven, National High School Dance Festival; Carver Wears Prada, Carver Center Fashion Show. Education—George Washington Carver Center For Arts and Technology.

Baltimore Center Stage: Sweeney Todd (The Beadle), The Wiz (Lion). Broadway/Pre-Broadway/Off Broadway—Roman Holiday (world premiere), Memphis (Bobby, world premiere), Whistle Down the Wind (world premiere), The Civil War, MSG-A Christmas Carol (u/ Ben Vereen); City Center Encore: Hey Look Me Over (w/ Bebe Neuwirth), Most Happy Fella, 1776, Cabin in the Sky, House of Flowers, Golden Boy, St. Louie Women (w/ Vanessa Williams). European Tour—Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ken). Regional—Arena Stage: Guys and Dolls (Helen Hayes nom.), The Great White Hope; NSMT: Guys and Dolls (Boston IRNE Award), Jesus Christ Superstar TV/Film—House of Cards, Luke Cage, Unbreakable Kimmy., The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Madam Secretary, Person of Interest, Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Elementary, Like Sunday Like Rain, Next Stop Wonderland. IG: Iamwaynepretlow

Jon Harrison Taylor is a Los Angeles-based writer/actor/musician by way of Dallas, Texas. He is the youngest son of Stax icon Johnnie Taylor. As an adolescent, he appeared in musicals such as The Wiz, Damn Yankees, and Little Shop of Horrors. At 15, Jon started singing lead vocals and playing guitar in rock bands and continued to lead groups throughout college. After moving to Los Angeles, Jon spent much of his time recording and traveling the world as a professional lead guitarist with major label artists. He has played shows across the US and Europe and has appeared on The Carson Daly Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Soul Train, Top of the Pops, and more. In 2017, he created, wrote (music and screenplay), produced, directed, and starred in the rock n’ roll comedy web series Sweet: The Show, which was recently nominated for the prestigious 2018 Hollyweb Awards in Hollywood.

Tasha Tayor is a musician, actor, performer, and the daughter of Stax icon Johnnie Taylor. As a musician she is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and producer of Honey for the Biscuit (2016), Taylormade (2011), and Revival (2008). She just completed a European tour. As a composer, her music is featured on Men in Trees and Lipstick Jungle. Tasha also performs live in concert, including at the Detroit Blues Festival and the New Orleans’ Jazzfest. She has shared the bill with icons such as Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, Allen Toussaint, Taj Mahal, Carla Thomas, Susan Tedeschi, Buckwheat Zydeco, and “Voice of the Wetlands” Tab Benoit, and Keb Mo. She performs regularly with Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in their Blues Brothers engagements and on the road with Jack Mack and The Heart Attack. She is currently signed to Ruf Records, a blues label in Germany. TV appearances include House, and Ugly Betty, and indie film appearance include, Dimples and Heaven Ain’t Hard to Find. tashataylor.com

Baltimore Center Stage: Mobile Unit Twelfth Night (Choreographer), Skeleton Crew (Assistant Director), Lookingglass Alice (Assistant Director and Dance Captain). Broadway—Fela! (production assistant). Choreography—credits include Morgan State University: Black Nativity, The Wiz; Spotlighter’s Theatre: Ain’t Misbehavin; Arena Players: Smokey Joe’s Café, Coppin State University: For Colored Girls…; guest choreography residencies: Georgetown University, MSU, Duke Ellington School for the Arts, Friends School. Directing—credits include Arena Players: Spell #7, Colorblind: The Katrina Monologues. Education—BA: Morgan State University (Theatre). Professional/Other—Mari is an arts educator and the founder and creative director of Good Stuff On Stage, a community-focused performance art company.

Baltimore Center Stage: debut. Broadway/London/LA—The Lion King, Smokey Joe’s Café, Sarafina (NAACP Theatre Award winner). Regional—credits include Ray Charles Live (world premiere, winner NAACP Best Ensemble, 2008); Sister Act: The Musical; It’s a Wonderful Life; Purlie (Ovation Award winner Feature Actor, 2005); Miss Saigon (Ovation Award winner Best Musical, 2008); Dreamgirls; Five Guys Named Moe; Ain’t Misbehavin’; Once on this Island. Film—Still Waiting in the Wings, Opening Night, The Muppets, Waiting In The Wings, I Got The Hook Up, Se7en, And DOOM Asylum. TV—Fresh Off the Boat, 9-1-1, This is Us, The Mayor, The Mick, How to Get Away with Murder, Modern Family, Bunk’d, Rosewood, The Fosters, Rizzoli & Isles, Maron, Bones, Venice: The Series (Emmy winner 2011 and 2014), Days of Our Lives. Soundtrack—The Wild, Tears of the Sun, The Power of One, Sarafina. mrharrisonwhite.com

Creative Team

Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE
Director

Chase Brock
Choreographer

Rahn Coleman
Music Supervisor and Musical Director

David Gallo
Scenic & Co-Projection Designer

Dede Ayite
Costume Designer

Mike Baldassari
Lighting Designer

Shane Rettig
Co-Sound Designer

Charles Coes
Co-Sound Designer

Alex Basco Koch
Co-Projection Designer

Cookie Jordan
Wig and Hair Designer

Daniel Bryant
Assistant Director

Alicia Lundgren
Assistant Choreographer

Danielle Teague-Daniels*
Stage Manager

Anthony O. Bullock*
Assistant Stage Manager

Pat McCorkle
Casting

Katja Zarolinski
Casting

Jared Denhard
Trombone

Matt Kruft
Guitar

Todd Harrison
Drums

Fred Irby, III
Trumpet / Flugelhorn

Winston Philip
Keyboard

Mark Russell
Bass

Ed Walters
Saxophone and Flute

Edward Goldstein
Music Contractor

Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE is a playwright, director, actor, and broadcaster. At Baltimore Center Stage he has directed Jazz, Marley, One Night in Miami…, Amadeus, dance of the holy ghosts, The Mountaintop, An Enemy of the People, The Whipping Man, and Things of Dry Hours. Other directorial credits include One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (originally Marley) at Birmingham Repertory Theatre; One Night in Miami… at London’s Donmar Warehouse; Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Much Ado About Nothing, and the world premiere of Detroit ’67 at The Public Theater in New York; Naomi Wallace’s The Liquid Plain and Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew. His works as playwright include One Love: The Bob Marley Musical, Elmina’s Kitchen, Let There Be Love, A Bitter Herb, Statement of Regret, Seize the Day, and Beneatha’s Place, which debuted at Baltimore Center Stage in 2013 as part of The Raisin Cycle. Kwame served as Artistic Director at Baltimore Center Stage from 2011 to 2018, he is now the Artistic Director at the Young Vic in London. He has served on the boards of Theatre Communications Group, Steinberg Playwright Awards, The National Theatre, and The Tricycle Theatre, and as Artistic Director for the World Arts Festival in Senegal. He was named the Chancellor of the University of the Arts London, and was named an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Baltimore Center Stage: A Little Night Music. Broadway—Foxwoods: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, American Airlines: Picnic. Off Broadway—Second Stage: The Blue Flower (Lortel nom). The Public: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, First Daughter Suite, The Winter’s Tale, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Venice; Ars Nova: The Wildness; The Flea: The Mysteries; Prospect: Tamar of the River (Callaway finalist). New York—City Center Encores!: Do I Hear a Waltz?, Irma La Douce, The Cradle Will Rock, Lost in the Stars. International—Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (German and Japanese companies). Regional—A.R.T., La Jolla, Paper Mill, Old Globe, Shakespeare. Opera—Roméo et Juliette (Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Salzburger Festspiele). Dance—Artistic Director, Brooklyn-based company The Chase Brock Experience (31 dances). TV—Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Late Show with David Letterman. Video Games—Dance on Broadway (Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Move). 2

Rahn is a musical director, conductor, pianist, vocal and instrumental performance specialist, producer, and arranger with over 30 years of experience. Select credits include Play On, Purlie, Blues in the Night, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin, Ray (Charles), Play On, Sammy (Davis), Baby it’s You, Breath and Imagination, and Kiss Me Kate. He has worked with notable artists including Aretha Franklin, Freda Payne, Nichelle Nichols, Michael Feinstein, Gladys Knight, Barry White, The O’Jays, The Temptations, Wayne Brady, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, the Philadelphia Philharmonic, and the Clinton Presidential Inaugural Orchestra. Rahn is the recipient of national and international critical acclaim and is always in the running for top honors. Hailed as one of the most effective performance coaches in the world, he has also shared his artistic gifts through service as Minister of Music at Christ the King and Faith Lutheran churches in Southern California. He also serves as the producing director of The Mystic Knight Recorder, LA’s leading underground studio.

Baltimore Center Stage: Gleam, Radio Golf, Jitney, a.m. Sunday, Les Blancs. Broadway—Jitney (Tony nom.), Memphis, First Date, The Drowsy Chaperone (Tony Award), Gem of the Ocean (Tony nom.), Radio Golf (Tony nom.), The Mountaintop, reasons to be pretty, Xanadu, Company, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A View from the Bridge, and many others. Television—Production Designer: Sesame Street (Emmy Award), Colin Quinn: Long Story Short (HBO; dir. Jerry Seinfeld). Other—Creative Director: Phish New Year’s Eve extravaganzas; Permanent collection: Smithsonian Museum, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. davidgallo.com

Baltimore Center Stage: Twisted Melodies, Detroit ’67. Broadway—Children of a Lesser God. Off-Broadway—credits include MCC: School Girls; Playwrights Horizons: Mankind, Bella: An American Tall Tale; Signature: Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train; Lincoln Center: The Royale; Atlantic: Tell Hector I Miss Him, Marie and Rosetta; Roundabout: Ugly Lies the Bone; LCT3: brownsville song [b-side for tray]; The Public: Twelfth Night, ToasT, Urban Retreat, Manahatta; Cherry Lane: Nollywood Dreams; Harlem Stage: Holding It Down. Regional credits include—Denver Center, California Shakespeare Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Group, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Signature Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Cleveland Play House. Television—Comedy Central, Fox Shortcoms (FOX Network) and COPPER Project (Improv Everywhere/BBC America). Awards—Helen Hayes, Theatre Bay Area, Jeff Awards, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nomination, 2 Audelco Award nominations. Education—MFA: Yale School of Drama.

Baltimore Center Stage: debut. Broadway—Children of a Lesser God, Cabaret (1998/2014), First Date, Holler If Ya Hear Me. Off Broadway—As You Like It (John Doyle), Bare. Tours—Spamalot, Ragtime, Camelot, Fame, Grease, Yo Gabba Gabba. International—Beauty & the Beast, (12 companies in seven languages), Cabaret. Film—Ghostbusters (2016), Nine, Rock of Ages, Joyful Noise, Sex and The City 2, Neil Young Trunk Show. Television—The (RED) Concert/Broadcast from Times Square with U2 and Bruce Springsteen; U2’s Top of The Rock performance for The Tonight Show; multiple episodes of Documentary Now!: pre-tapes for Saturday Night Live and Late Night w/Seth Meyers; comedy specials for Dana Carvey, John Mulaney, Bridget Everett; televised concert highlights include Mary J. Blige, Tim McGraw, Sam Smith, Garth Brooks in Central Park. Concert Tours—Neil Young, Alice in Chains, plus multiple New Year’s Eve concerts with Phish at Madison Square Garden. Awards—Tony nomination, two Emmy nominations. mike-o-matic.com

Baltimore Center Stage: Jazz, Marley, One Night in Miami…, The Whipping Man, Things of Dry Hours, Elmina’s Kitchen, a.m. Sunday. New York—The Public, The New Group, Signature, Roundabout, Vampire Cowboys, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Ma-yi, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, The Flea, New Victory, La MaMa, Soho Rep, Rattlestick and HERE. Music/Co-Lyrics for War is F**cking Awesome with Qui Nguyen, 2013 Sundance Lab. Music for The Unknown, 2005 NYMF. Regional—Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Children’s Theatre Company, Dallas Theatre Center, La Jolla, Williamstown, Yale Rep, Prague Quadrennial. Awards—Drama Desk and Lortel Nominations.

Baltimore Center Stage: SOUL The Stax Musical, Detroit ’67, Pride and Prejudice, Marley, One Night in Miami…, The Mountaintop, An Enemy of the People, ReEntry. Concert Design—The Magnetic Fields: 50 Song Memoir. Broadway—Be More Chill (opening 2019); Irena’s Vow. Off-Broadway—The Atlantic, Playwrights Horizons, Signature Theatre, Ars Nova, Primary Stages, Rattlestick, Ensemble Studio Theatre. Regional and Touring—The Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Alliance Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, Court Theatre, Studio Theatre, Actors Theater of Louisville, Two River Theater. London—Menier Chocolate Factory. Film—Miles Ahead; Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You. alexbascokoch.com.

Baltimore Center Stage: Artistic Producer/Community Programs; A Wonder in My Soul; SOUL The Stax Musical (assistant director); Mobile Unit Twelfth Night (director); Mobile Unit Endgame (director). Regional—Ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre Company for nine years and serving multiple roles including Associate Artistic Director and Artistic Director. Producing—credits include The Nativity at the Goodman Theatre, The Colored Museum, and Bulrusher, staged readings for Congo Square’s Summer Reading Series, Legacy Festival, and Festival on the Square. Additional directing credits include What I Learned in Paris, Brothers of the Dust (BTAA for Best Play), which he helped develop at Congo Square, The Fall of Heaven, King Headly II (BTAA for Best Ensemble, Best Director) and a one-act of Nambi Kelly’s For My Brothers, Where Ever I May Find Them at Step Up Productions. Professional/Other—Associate artist at Chicago Dramatists, director for the Young Playwrights Festival at Pegasus Players and American Theatre Company. He is also an established performer with extensive acting experience as well.

Alicia, originally from Oakland, California, began dancing at the Ann Davlin School of Dance. She also trained under the direction of Reginald Ray-Savage. After graduating from the Ailey School/Fordham University BFA program, she toured internationally with Ailey II, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Philadanco. Along with performing as a dancer with The Metropolitan Opera, she is in her fourth season as a Radio City Rockette, and also made her Broadway debut in Shuffle Along under the direction of George C. Wolfe. Alicia performed in the 25th Anniversary production of Crazy For You at Lincoln Center under the direction of Susan Stroman and is also a member of The Chase Brock Experience.

Baltimore Center Stage: How to Catch Creation, A Wonder in my Soul, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, SOUL The Stax Musical, The Christians. For the past 18 years, she has worked and reprised her role as SM with many companies including: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Clubbed Thumb, 3LD, Lee Strasberg Institute, LAByrinth Theater, Rising Circle Theater Collective, Big Apple Circus, NYU Steinhardt and New Dramatists. She’s also wrapped up Bello Mania at the New Victory Theater on 42nd St. She has also worked on two Broadway Bound workshops: The Donna Summer Project (La Jolla Playhouse) and Ain’t Too Proud (Berkeley Rep). Danielle also worked on Michael Kors’ fashion show in Shanghai, China.

Baltimore Center Stage: A Wonder in My Soul, King of the Yees, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, SOUL The Stax Musical, Mobile Unit Twelfth Night, Animal Farm, Skeleton Crew, Lookingglass Alice, The Christians, Jazz, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Detroit ’67, As You Like It, Pride and Prejudice, Marley, One Night in Miami…, Amadeus, Wild with Happy, Twelfth Night, A Civil War Christmas. Broadway—Amazing Grace, On the Town, End of the Rainbow, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, She Loves Me, Blood Brothers, A Few Good Men, etc. Off-Broadway—Clever Little Lies, Dr. Ruth, Stalking the Bogeyman, Freud’s Last Session, Tribes, Our Town, Almost Maine and Driving Miss Daisy. Over 50 regional theaters—Guthrie, George Street Theatre, Connecticut Rep, Pittsburgh Public, Barrington Stage. Over 60 films—Senior Moment, Year by the Sea, Child of Grace, Premium Rush, Ghost Town, Secret Window, Tony and Tina’s Wedding, The Thomas Crown Affair, The 13th Warrior, Madeline, Die Hard III, School Ties. TV/Web—Planned Parenthood series Talkin’ About, Twisted, Sesame Street, Californication (Emmy nom), Max Bickford, Hack, Strangers with Candy, Barbershop, Chappelle’s Show. mccorklecasting.com

Todd is a freelance performer, clinician, and arranger in the Baltimore/DC area. For 20 years, he was the drummer, percussionist, clinician, and arranger for the US Army Jazz Ambassadors (official touring jazz band for the US Army). He has performed with major symphonies including Detroit, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Curtis, and Pittsburgh. He has performed with many artists, including Marvin Hamlisch, Conrad Herwig, George Garzone, Kirk Whalum, Dick Oats, Rich Perry, Chris Vidala, US Army Blues, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Ernie Watts, Bobby Shew, The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Chris Potter, Wynona Judd, Kevin Mahogany, Shelly Berg, Ingrid James, Bill Watrous. He studied Classical Percussion Performance at Houston Baptist University and Jazz Theory and Composition with Shelly Berg at San Jacinto Jr. College in Houston.

Baltimore Center Stage: Ed began contracting in 1993 for Lady Day at Emerson’s Pub and has since worked on 30 productions here. Additional credits include—playing with and contracting for The Who, The Moody Blues, Mel Tormé, Henry Mancini, Sarah Vaughan, Jose Carreras, Phyllis Diller, the Smothers Brothers, and many others. Tubist—Principal Tubist in Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (44 seasons). Other tubist credit include—soloing with banjo virtuoso Buddy Wachter with 12 major symphony orchestras including performances at Ravinia and Carnegie Hall. Author—Associate Editor of the Tuba Source Book, published by Indiana University Press, which is acknowledged as the most comprehensive research project chronicling any instrument. Professional—on faculties of eight colleges including the Peabody Institute, Towson University, and George Washington University. Membership—Ed is a founding member and director of the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble and the Baltimore Jazz Orchestra. Awards—first Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Peabody Institute Alumni Association. He is a frequent guest on WBJC’s program “Face the Music.”

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

In the Press

Download Press Release

For all other press related information please go to our Press Room

Reviews

“Broadway-meets-Baltimore, standing ovation-mandatory.”— DC Metro Theater Arts

“A must see!”— Broadway World

“Phenomenal music.”— DC Metro Theater Arts

“Well-produced and energetically staged.”— Washington Post

“Musical performances are first rate.”— WYPR

“A NOSTALGIA FEST FUELED BY 30-SOME INFECTIOUS SONGS.”— BALTIMORE SUN

“THE SONGS IN THE SHOW WILL STRIKE A CHORD WITH ANYONE WHO LISTENED TO THE RADIO IN THE 60S OR THE 70S.”— WYPR

“[KWAME] KWEI-ARMAH COULD NOT HAVE SELECTED A BETTER SWAN SONG TO CELEBRATE HIS SEVEN WONDERFUL YEARS AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.”— BROADWAY WORLD

“THIS SHOW BROUGHT EVERYONE TO THEIR FEET… IT HAS A GREAT STORY TO TELL AS WELL AS GREAT MUSIC TO ENTERTAIN.”— CULTURESEEN4U

“HOLY MOTHER OF ALL THAT IS FUNKY!”— DC METRO THEATER ARTS

“THIS MUSICAL’S FUTURE AS A BROADWAY AND TOURING REGULAR SHOULD BE MANDATORY.”— DC METRO THEATER ARTS

“SIMPLY AMAZING.”— BROADWAY WORLD

“A MUSICAL THIS MAGNIFICENT COMES AROUND ONCE IN MANY A SHADY BLUE MOON. SOUL THE STAX MUSICAL HAS A CONCERT-LIKE FEEL THAT THE AUDIENCE LOVED LIKE A HOT PLATE OF SOUL FOOD.”— DC METRO THEATER ARTS

“KWEI-ARMAH’S INSPIRED DIRECTION EXERTS A KINETIC ENERGY THAT NEVER FLAGS, ALL THE WHILE TAPPING INTO THE DISTINCTIVE GIFTS OF A CAST PACKED WITH ENGAGING TALENTS.”— BALTIMORE SUN

Related Events

Media

Cast

Creative Team

In the Press

Reviews

Email Signup
Join Our Email List

Follow Us

Share on

Related Events

Media

Cast

Creative Team

In the Press

Reviews