The critically acclaimed team behind the 2021 Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Merry Wives returns to The Public with the New York premiere of a new musical conceived and directed by Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director Saheem Ali, featuring music and lyrics by Michael Thurber and a book by Tony Award nominee Jocelyn Bioh. A mysterious singer arrives at Moto Moto, a steamy Afro-jazz club in Mombasa, Kenya. She casts an entrancing spell on everyone, including a young man who has returned home from studying in America. Will the big plans for his life—stepping into a political legacy and marrying his fiancée—be upended? Inspired by the myth of Marimba, the Goddess who created beautiful songs from her heartbreak, this is a rousing tale of romance, the supernatural, and the quest towards one’s truest self.
By: Jocelyn Bioh (book) and Saheem Ali (concept)
Songs by: Michael Thurber
Director: Saheem Ali
Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie
Producer: The Public Theater
Cast list: Nick Rashad Burroughs (as Ahmed), Melessie Clark (as Mosi), Amber Iman (as Nadira), Arica Jackson (as Rashida), J Paul Nicholas (as Hassan), Teshomech Olenja (as Tisa), Destinee Rea (as Cheche), Awa Sal Secka (as Zawadi), Austin Scott (as Omari), Reggie White (as Balozi), Isio-Maya Nuwere, Quiantae Thomas, Wade Watson
Sets: Arnulfo Maldonado
Costumes: Dede Ayite
Lighting: Bradley King
Sound: Nevin Steinberg
Accessible entrances, seating, and restrooms. Assistive Listening Devices. ASL interpreted, Open Caption and Audio Descriptions at select performances or on demand by request.
Tickets for this event will be on sale at a later date. Check back soon.
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