The Gospel at Colonus

“No more time left to make beautiful things…” Lee 2/6/37- 1/3/21. Beloved & missed.
One of contemporary theatre’s most singular creative minds, Lee Breuer created wildly inventive work around the world both independently and with Mabou Mines, the company he co-founded in 1970. Breuer blended disciplines and techniques from widely different cultures, creating unique performance genres. His writing expands the concept of character and the use of biography in performance in works such as: Hajj, The Shaggy Dog Animation, A Prelude to Death in Venice, An Epidog, Red Beads and Porco Morto. Publications include: “La Divina Caricatura: Bunraku meets Motown”, “Sister Susie Cinema: Collected Performance Poems”, “The Fifth Voyage”, and “Getting Off: Lee Breuer on Performance”. Breuer’s celebrated stagings of radically adapted classics include: The Gospel at Colonus, Mabou Mines DollHouse, The Lost Ones, Peter and Wendy, Mabou Mines Lear, and Un tramway nommé désir (La Comédie-Française, Paris); his films include: The Book of Clarence, and Moi-même (original footage shot in Paris,1968). Breuer shone as an empowering collaborator directing 14 Obie award winning performances. His accolades include a MacArthur Fellowship and a Chevalier des Order of Arts and Literature. The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library houses his archive. Lee has five children all of whom are artists.

Bob Telson is an American composer, singer/songwriter, and pianist best known for his work in musical theater and film, for which he has received Tony, Pulitzer, and Academy Award nominations. Telson grew up in Brooklyn, studying classical piano from the age of five. He studied pipe organ, counterpoint, and harmony with Nadia Boulanger and received his B.A. in music from Harvard. During the ‘70’s he played keyboards with the Philip Glass Ensemble, Tito Puente, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, and Machito, among others. Telson’s collaboration with Lee Breuer began in 1979 with “Sister Suzie Cinema,” a doo-wop opera. Their major music theater works include The Gospel at Colonus, which received a 1984 Obie award for ‘Best Musical’ as well as Pulitzer, Tony, and Grammy nominations, and The Warrior Ant (BAM 1988). Telson’s Chronicle of a Death Foretold, an adaptation of the Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel, won a Tony nomination for Best Musical. Telson’s first movie score, for “Bagdad Café”, received an Oscar Nomination for the song “Calling You.” His songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Jeff Buckley, George Benson, Joe Cocker, Celine Dion, Etta James, k.d. lang, Shawn Colvin, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, George Michael, and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama. His new musical, “Bantú,” created with the Uruguayan playwright Graciela Corso, was presented in Montevideo in December 2024.

Shayok Misha Chowdhury is an Obie Award-winning director and Whiting Award-winning writer, born in India, based in Brooklyn. His playwriting debut Public Obscenities (Soho Rep, NAATCO, Woolly Mammoth, TFANA) was one of three finalists for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. The bilingual play, in Bangla and English, was a New York Times Critic’s Pick and named Best Theater of 2023 by the New Yorker. Misha is also the recipient of a Princess Grace Award, The Mark O’Donnell Prize, a Jonathan Larson Grant, and the Relentless Award for his musical How the White Girl Got Her Spots and Other 90s Trivia. He collaborated on the Grammy-winning album Calling All Dawns. Other favorite collaborations: Brother, Brother (New York Theatre Workshop) with Aleshea Harris; SPEECH (Philly Fringe) with Lightning Rod Special; MukhAgni (Under the Radar @ The Public Theater) with Kameron Neal. A two-time Sundance Fellow, Misha is the creator of VICHITRA, a series of sound-driven, experimental short films. Up next, Misha is collaborating with his physicist mother on a new project called Rheology (Bushwick Starr, HERE, Ma-Yi).

Dionne is a musician, musical director, conductor, arranger, composer-lyricist, and actor.
Recent credits: Associate Musical Director and Actor, The Potluck (Soho Rep and Dartmouth College, Lincoln Center); Vocal Arranger, Composer, Co-Musical Director, Show/Boat: A River (Under The Radar Festival, Target Margin Theater and NYU Skirball); Composer-Lyricist and Musical Director, The Cotillion (Off-Broadway; Drama Desk Award Nominee, AUDELCO Award Nominee); Musical Director and Conductor, When We Get There (York Theatre), Sweeney Todd, Passing Strange (UNCSA); The Color Purple (Cape Fear Regional Theatre); BRECHT
ON BRECHT (off-Broadway’s Theater Breaking Through Barriers), children’s theatre works for Piper Theatre (Not So Fair-y Tales) and Brooklyn Children’s Theatre (Charisma’s Turn, adapted from the graphic novel; A Royal Roar in Brooklyn, book by playwright Christin Eve Cato; Rice and Rocks, adapted from the children’s book), a song honoring, and performed live for renowned actor Viola Davis; and a song on Rainbow Lullaby (Broadway Records), the world’s first collection of lullabies especially for the children of LGBTQ parents. TGBTG!

Bio to come.

Recent work on Broadway includes: STEREOPHONIC, JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, THE NOTEBOOK, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, FUNNY GIRL, THE HUMANS, BOYS IN THE BAND, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, and FUN HOME. Off-Broadway: Playwright’s Horizons, The Shed, Roundabout, MTC, NYTW, LCT, 2d Stage, and the Public. Also: A.C.T., A.R.T, Berkeley Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe, and Steppenwolf. In London he recently opened HERE WE ARE at the National and STEREOPHONIC at the Duke of York’s; he’s also worked at the Young Vic and the Hampstead. In Europe he’s designed sets and costumes for the Berlin Staatsoper and at Theater Basel. He’s received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle, Hewes and Obie Awards for his work.

Broadway: A Strange Loop, The Skin of Our Teeth (Tony Award). Select Off-Broadway: Fairview, Is God Is, Ain’t No Mo’, Fefu and Her Friends, Daddy, The House That Will Not Stand, The Death of the Last Black Man, In the Blood, He Brought Her Heart in a Box, Red Speedo, Fabulation, and O, Earth. Opera: El Niño, Champion (Metropolitan Opera House), Rinaldo (Glimmerglass & Detroit Opera), Hansel and Gretel (Houston Grand). Upcoming: Purple Rain (Pre-Broadway), Lincoln in the Bardo (Metropolitan Opera House), Prince F (Soho Rep/Playwrights Horizons). Winner of a Special Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, two Henry Hewes, and two Obie awards. Education: Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music, Brown University, and the Yale School of Drama. www.montanaleviblanco.com

Grangeville (Signature Theatre), Teeth (Playwrights Horizons), The Counter & The Refuge Plays (Roundabout Theatre), The Welkin (Atlantic Theater), All the Devils Are Here (DR2), The Half-God of Rainfall (NYTW), Uncle Vanya (O’Henry), On Set with Theda Bara (Exponential Festival), Obie Design Award 2023, 2018 Lilly Award Daryl Roth Prize.

Garth is a leader in high fidelity theatrical and concert sound design. His intuitive approach to sound, acoustics, mixing and amplification are at the core of his process to immersively enhance the experience of both the audience, and the performer. Garth is an expert in spatial sound, Space Map and Constellations systems in partnership with Meyer Sound.Recent Credits: ‘Illinoise’ by Sufjan Stevens/Justin Peck/Jackie Sibblies Drury; ‘Magnificent Bird/Fellow Travelers’ by Gabriel Kahane; ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ by Paola Prestini; ‘The Night Falls’ by Ellis Ludwig Leone; ‘Song of Songs’ by David Lang and Pam Tanowitz; ‘In Our Daughter’s Eyes’ by Du Yun; Grammy-nominated ‘Soldier Songs’, ‘Black Lodge’ and ‘Dog Days” by David T. Little; Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘p r i s m’ by Ellen Reid; ‘Aquanetta’ by Michael Gordon; Nick Cave’s ‘The Let Go’ and Peter Sellars/Regg Roc Grey’s ‘FLEXN’ at the Park Ave Armory; ‘A God of Her Own Making’ by Jojo Abot/Esperanza Spalding and ‘Spatial…no problem’ by Lee Scratch Perry/Mouse on Mars.

Bio to come.

Bobby was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he developed a passion for jazz, funk, and gut bucket blues. He has been playing guitar for over 35 years. During his early years, he developed his musical talents in clubs in Southern California and touring with artists such as Arkansas Larry Davis and Smokey Wilson.

In the 90’s, Bobby worked at the world-renowned Babe’s & Ricky’s Inn, whose proprietor, “Mama” Laura Mae Gross was known for cultivating blues talent. Babe’s& Ricky’s offered Bobby the opportunity to play with various artists, including Keb Mo’, Lowell Fulsom, King Ernest, Louie Bluey, Mickey Champion, Barbara Morrison, Joe Houston, Zac Harmon, Deacon Jones, Finis Tasby, and Guitar Shorty.

Bobby moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1999. In addition to earning a master’s degree in social work, he and his band, Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players were the winners of the 2007 Madison Blues Challenge and proudly represented Wisconsin at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bobby now resides in New York. You can catch him as a regular at Terra Blues, in New York’s Village. He also performs and tours with other artists, including Henry Butler. Bobby is a true Blues man, who is not limited to the blues. Don’t miss an opportunity to see Bobby with his band.

Jackie Coleman is an Indiana-born trumpeter/electric bassist who is currently based in the NYC area. She has toured the world with various artists including Antibalas, Bright Eyes, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, Dawn Drake and Zapote, Durand Jones and the Indications, EMEFE, Flor de Toloache (whom she won a Latin Grammy with in 2017), Gato Loco, Joe Jackson, Lovejoy and Zola Jesus.

Through the Black Girls Rock Band & the Selena for Sanctuary bands, she has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Kali Uchis, Mon Leferte, Helado Negro, Cuco, Chris Perez, H.E.R, Fantasia, Ledisi, Jazmine Sullivan, and Yolanda Adams.

Some Off-Broadway shows she has played on include After Midnight, ¡Americano!, and as a sub for The Harder They Come. Currently she is subbing on the Broadway show Gypsy.

Clayton Craddock is the founder of Broadway Drumming 101, an online platform dedicated to educating, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of theater musicians. The site features expert interviews, curated resources, and real-world advice designed for aspiring and working professionals alike.

Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a trusted sub, he has played on Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many others.

Clayton has also performed on national television, appearing on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards. Over the years, he’s worked with iconic artists including The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.

He proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.

Discover more at www.claytoncraddock.com.

Taja Graves-Parker is a Bronx-born tenor trombonist whose passion for music began early in life. She picked up the trombone at the age of eight and, by ten, had already decided to pursue a career as a professional musician.

She honed her skills at the Special Music School for both middle and high school before earning her Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Purchase College and her Master’s degree in Trombone Performance from New York University.

In addition to performing, Taja discovered a deep love for music education while working at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of musicians.

A versatile performer, Taja excels in jazz, hip hop, r&b, classical, contemporary and broadway styles. She has graced some of New York City’s most renowned stages, including Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Roulette, the DiMenna Center, NYU Skirball, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Bio to come.

Extremely accomplished and highly sought after, bassist/composer Booker King has toured the world laying down thunderous grooves across multiple genres of music. From orchestral melodies to fusion funk to metal anthems, Booker’s signature bass lines are not only visceral expressions of the compositions, but of the stories within the music. His resume features recordings and performances with Santana, Paul Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Billy Cobham, Jane Siberry, Defunkt Big Band, Yoko Kanno, Corey Glover, Dean Brown, Mary Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Bill Sims and the American Roots Orchestra, Femi Kuti, Bobby Caldwell, Lila Downs among others. Now, Booker is thrilled to join the monster band, Sonic Universe and his phenomenal playing can be heard on their debut album, “It Is What It Is.”

Jason Marshall is a premiere voice on the baritone saxophone, rooted in the bebop tradition yet deeply expansive in his musical curiosity. Based in New York City since 2003, he has built a wide-reaching career as a performer, composer, arranger, educator, and cultural voice. His work honors the joy, complexity, and legacy of Black American Music, spanning styles and generations with integrity and soul.

Jason holds a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Saxophone from The New School’s School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Over the past two decades, he has brought his artistry to stages around the world, performing and recording with his own ensemble as well as with artists including Roy Hargrove, Aretha Franklin, Deedee Bridgewater, Chaka Khan, Abdullah Ibrahim, Kurt Elling, The Roots, The Temptations, Mingus Big Band, Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Birdland Big Band, and New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. His discography as a leader includes Overt Negritude (2006), Sign the Book (2010), Joy Unspeakable (2020), and New Beginnings (2022, Cellar Live). As a sideman, he has contributed to acclaimed projects including Emergence (Roy Hargrove Big Band), Timeless (Kenny Lattimore), Echoes of Ethnicity (Derrick Gardner), Such Sweet Thunder (Delfeayo Marsalis), Centennial Sessions (Mingus Big Band), Storybook (Birdland Big Band), and Soto Blue (Abdullah Ibrahim).

Isaiah Johnson is a Woodwind Specialist educator and composer. He has been called to play saxophones, flutes, clarinets, and oboe both across and outside of his home, New York City. Isaiah has premiered works by composers Anthony Coleman, Arturo O’Farrill, and the late Bob Brookmeyer, and played with esteemed jazz drummer Ronnie Burrage. Isaiah has also played “Reed 2” on both the world premiere and New York Premiere of the musical “The Black Clown.”

Dionne is a musician, musical director, conductor, arranger, composer-lyricist, and actor.
Recent credits: Associate Musical Director and Actor, The Potluck (Soho Rep and Dartmouth College, Lincoln Center); Vocal Arranger, Composer, Co-Musical Director, Show/Boat: A River (Under The Radar Festival, Target Margin Theater and NYU Skirball); Composer-Lyricist and Musical Director, The Cotillion (Off-Broadway; Drama Desk Award Nominee, AUDELCO Award
Nominee); Musical Director and Conductor, When We Get There (York Theatre), Sweeney
Todd, Passing Strange (UNCSA); The Color Purple (Cape Fear Regional Theatre); BRECHT
ON BRECHT (off-Broadway’s Theater Breaking Through Barriers), children’s theatre works for
Piper Theatre (Not So Fair-y Tales) and Brooklyn Children’s Theatre (Charisma’s Turn, adapted from the graphic novel; A Royal Roar in Brooklyn, book by playwright Christin Eve Cato; Rice and Rocks, adapted from the children’s book), a song honoring, and performed live for renowned actor Viola Davis; and a song on Rainbow Lullaby (Broadway Records), the world’s first collection of lullabies especially for the children of LGBTQ parents. TGBTG!

Bio to come.

Sam Morreale (she/they) is an artist, cultural strategist, and changemaker working with facilitation at the core of their practice. They’ve had a blossoming career as a creative producer working with many companies including Soho Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, New York Stage and Film/Powerhouse, The Prelude Festival, Mixed Blood Theatre, Penumbra Theatre, and Theater Communications Group. Sam is deepening her artistic practice in rehearsal rooms as a dramaturg, director, culture shaper, and theater doula constantly seeking to break down dissonance between artist and institution. B.A. Wesleyan University, Theater and Science and Technology Studies. @smorreale_reckons

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

ALYSSA K. HOWARD is a NYC-based stage manager, musician, and writer. Recent credits include: This Like a Dream Keeps Other Time, Glass Guignol (Mabou Mines); Hold Me in the Water, If Pretty Hurts… (Playwrights Horizons); SUMO, Teenage Dick (Ma-Yi + The Public); Safety Not Guaranteed, Word Sound Power 2016-2021 (BAM); What Became of Us, The Far Country (Atlantic Theater Company); The Far Country (Berkeley Rep); Angel Island, The Echo Drift, The Scarlet Ibis (Prototype Festival); Poor Yella Rednecks, Golden Shield (MTC); Lady M (Heartbeat Opera); Public Obscenities, Wolf Play (Soho Rep); Once Upon A (korean) Time (Ma-Yi Theater); Nollywood Dreams (MCC); for colored girls… (The Public); Henry VI (NAATCO); Dog Days (Beth Morrison Projects). Education: MFA Yale School of Drama, BA Williams College.
Instagram: @shiningatthetop

Katie is happy to be here! Select work: Amerikin (ASM, Primary Stages), NYU Tisch Opera Lab (ASM, AOP), Cafe Utopia (PSM, Notch Theater Company), Short Stack Playfest (PSM, Ma-Yi Theater Company), Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes/Creditors (PA, Together), Mary Jane (PA, MTC on Broadway). Barnard College ’23. Hails from the great city of Detroit. Love to my friends and family!

Sabeen Shalwani (she/her) is a stage manager, creative director and teaching artist, who received her BFA in Film & TV from NYU Tisch. As a first-generation, Pakistani-American Muslim, her various identities fuel her passion for using art to speak out against injustice and seek collective liberation. She’s worked within creative communities like The Public Theater, Ping Chong & Company, Showtime, Cartoon Network, and has led projects featured in the NY Times, Bustle, and BBC Radio.

Emily “Freddie” Fredrickson (She/they) is trombonist, composer, arranger, and arts advocate from Clearwater, Florida. She is an artist inspired to create and support honest endeavors by forging powerful, unlikely connections using her diverse background and widely varied skill set. They are a featured solo trombonist of the first national tour and Broadway sub of the Tony and Grammy award-winning Broadway musical, Hadestown. She has arranged over 200 works for big band and orchestra and has over 10 years of experience with music nonprofit organizations in programming and education.