There is something very special being stirred up in the Broadway rehearsal rooms dotted across Times Square that will infuse the inspired choreography of Bill T. Jones ((Spring Awakening and Fela!), the stirring music and lyrics by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter with a book by the Oscar winner, John Ridley ( (“12 Years a Slave”) and directed by The New Group’s founding Artistic Director Scott Elliott.
Ponder for a moment just how special a grouping of creative have assembled and together have have created Black No More, a new musical inspired by George S. Schuyler’s Afrofuturist novel set during the Harlem Renaissance. This is the journey of Max Disher (Brandon Victor Dixon), who’s eager to try the mysterious machine invented by Dr. Junius Crookman (Tariq Trotter) that guarantees to “solve the American race problem” —by turning Black people white.
Originally announced and slated for fall 2020, Black No More arrives in January 2022 in this world premiere production from The New Group.
Recently it was announced that Ephraim Sykes (Ain’t Too Proud, Tony Award nominee; Hamilton) will join the cast which includes Walter Bobbie (Tony Award-winning Director, Chicago), Jennifer Damiano (Next to Normal, American Psycho), Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton, “Power”), Tamika Lawrence(Caroline, or Change; Come From Away), Tracy Shayne (Bronx Bombers, Chicago), Theo Stockman (American Idiot, American Psycho), Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter (The Roots) and Lillias White (Fela!, The Life). Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Black No More features Music Direction and Dance Arrangements by Zane Mark; Scenic Design by Derek McLane; Costume Design by Qween Jean; Lighting Design by Jeff Croiter; Sound Design by Nevin Steinberg; and Casting by The Telsey Office / Rebecca Scholl, CSA & Kristian Charbonier, CSA. Production Stage Manager is Valerie A. Peterson, with Assistant Stage Manager Nicole Iovino.
A strictly limited engagement plays January 11 – February 27 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Irene Diamond Stage, 480 West 42nd Street), with Opening Night on February 8. The complete performance schedule, including Black Theater Night and accessibility performances can be found at thenewgroup.org. Regular price tickets for all preview performances January 11 – February 8 are $65 – $85; and tickets for performances February 9 – February 27 are $85 – $105. Tickets are now on sale at thenewgroup.org.
Black No More is supported in part by the Map Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The New Group’s productions are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
The New Group’s productions are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
The New Group (Scott Elliott, Founding Artistic Director; Adam Bernstein, Executive Director) is an award-winning, artist-driven company with a commitment to developing and producing powerful, contemporary theatre. The company was most recently represented by Wallace Shawn’s The Fever, directed by Scott Elliott and starring Lili Taylor, in a co-production with Audible at the Minetta Lane Theater). www.thenewgroup.org
The Pershing Square Signature Center, the permanent home of Signature Theatre, is a three-theatre facility on West 42nd Street designed by Frank Gehry Architects to host Signature’s three distinct playwrights’ residencies and foster a cultural community.
For more information on renting the Center, please visit www.signaturetheatre.org/rentals.
@TimesSquareNYC for Instagram
@TimesSquareNYC for Twitter
@TimesSquareNYC for Facebook