As Caroline, or Change plays London’s West End, another production of the Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner musical is set to head to New York.
Astoria Performing Arts Center will present the musical as part of its 2019 lineup, with performances running May 2–25 at the Broccoli Drama Theater. APAC Artistic Director Dev Bondarin will direct; casting will be announced later.
The ’60s set musical, charting the companionship of a young Jewish boy and Caroline, his family’s Black maid, premiered at the Public Theater in 2003 before a Broadway transfer the following spring. The production earned six Tony nominations, including nods for Best Musical and Actress in a Musical for star Tonya Pinkins, with Anika Noni Rose winning for her performance as Caroline’s daughter Emmie.
The season will also include the New York premiere of Madhuri Shekar’s Queen, a 2017 Kilroy’s List-recognized play exploring the moral dilemmas of two scientists researching the diminishing bee population. J. Mehr Kaur will direct the production, which runs January 31–February 16 at the Black Box at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens.
Before both productions, APAC will present a two-night benefit concert engagement of Luna Park. The new musical, about the Coney Island attraction that ushered in the era of modern amusement parks, features music by Hyeyoung Kim, lyrics by Michael Cooper, and a book by Daniel F. Levin. Performances will take place December 1 and 2 at RIOULT Dance Center.
