MusicalOriginalBroadway
Opening Date
Mar 27, 1980
Closing Date
Apr 13, 1980
1st Preview
Mar 11, 1980
1st Preview
Mar 11, 1980
Previews
8
Performances
21
MusicalOriginalBroadway
External Links
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ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

Theatres
Biltmore Theatre
(Mar 27, 1980 - Apr 13, 1980)
Setting
One day in Jamaica.
Comments
This production played 6 previews from March 11 - 16, 1980, at which point previews were temporarily halted. Director Glenda Dickerson and choreographer Mike Malone were replaced by Gui Andrisano (Dickerson and Malone retained their credits in the playbill), leading lady Ruth Cooke was replaced by Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Bill McCutcheon's role was cut from the show. Previews resumed March 25, with a new opening night of March 27 (original opening night was March 20).
Theatre Owned / Operated by David J. Cogan
Produced by Michael Butler, Eric Nezhad and David J. Cogan
Concept and production: Michael Butler; Story by Kendrew Lascelles; Book by Melvin Van Peebles, Kendrew Lascelles and Stafford Harrison; Music by Ras Karbi, Michael Kamen, Kendrew Lascelles, Max Romeo, Randy Bishop, Jackie Mittoo and Stafford Harrison; Lyrics by Ras Karbi, Michael Kamen, Kendrew Lascelles, Max Romeo, Randy Bishop, Jackie Mittoo and Stafford Harrison; Music arranged by Michael Kamen; Musical Director: Michael Kamen; Associate Musical Dir.: Michael Tschudin
Directed by Glenda Dickerson; Choreographed by Mike Malone; Additional direction by Gui Andrisano
Scenic Design by Edward Burbridge; Costume Design by Raoul Pène Du Bois; Lighting Design by Beverly Emmons; Sound Design by Lou Gonzalez; Hair and Wig Design by Eric Turner
Executive Producer: Woodie King, Jr.; General Manager: Ken Myers; Company Manager: Dennis Purcell
Production Stage Manager: Robert D. Currie; Stage Manager: Lee Murray; Assistant Stage Mgr: Breeha Clarke
Conducted by Michael Tschudin; Assistant to Mr. Andrisano: Meachie Jones and Lewis Whitlock; Band Leader: Jackie Mittoo; Keyboards: Jackie Mittoo; Bass: Norbert Slowly; Rhythm Guitar: Vision; Lead Guitar: Bryant Montiro; Percussion: Larry McDonald and Bradley Simmons; Trombone & Flute: Art Baron; Trumpet: Joe Wilder; Drums: Ronald Murphy; Music Contractor: Joe Wilder; Original Music Coordinator: Dennis Lopez
Assistant to Mr. Burbridge: Vaughan Edwards; Assistant to Mr. DuBois: John Helgerson; Assistant to Ms. Emmons: Shirley Prendergast and Robby Monk
Cultural Consultant Dance: Rex Nettleford; Cultural Consultant: Stafford Harrison; Casting: Mae Washington; General Press Representative: The Merlin Group, Ltd., Cheryl Sue Dolby and Sandra Manley; Press Assistant: Marguerite Wolfe; Advertising: J. Walter Thompson Co.; Dance Captain: Lewis Whitlock; Photographer: Paul Gremmler; Logo Artwork: Robert Myers; Furs provided by Flemington Fur Company; Production Assistant: Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Michael Goodman, Mark Fitzgibbons and Bob Phillips
In Memory, For Contribution and Inspiration: Leon Gluckman
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Broadway debut; replaced Ruth Cooke in previews
Faith
Mar 25, 1980 - Apr 13, 1980
Philip Michael Thomas
Esau
Obba Babatundé
Rockets
Ras Karbi
Natty
Calvin Lockhart
Ras Joseph
Fran Salisbury
Mrs. Brown
Charles Wisnet
Broadway debut
Gorson
Loretta Abbott
Ensemble
Breeha Clarke
Ensemble
Paul Cook'Tartt
Ensemble
Ralph Glenmore
Ensemble
Jeffrey Anderson Gunter
Ensemble
Sam Harkness
Binghi Maytal
Alvin McDuffie
Anancy
The Spider
Thomas Pinnock
Ensemble
Louise Robinson
Louise
 
Ensemble
Kiki Shepard
Ensemble
Beth Shorter
Ensemble
Bruce Taylor
Ensemble
Ras-jawara Tesfa
Ensemble
Avon Testamark
Ensemble
Constance Thomas
Ensemble
Juanita Grace Tyler
Ensemble
Byron Utley
Ensemble
Lewis Whitlock
Ensemble
Swings: Brenda Braxton and Andy Torres
Understudies: Obba Babatundé (Esau), Paul Cook'Tartt (Rockets, Binghi Maytal), Ralph Glenmore (Anancy), Thomas Pinnock (Ras Joseph), Louise Robinson (Mrs. Brown), Ras-jawara Tesfa (Natty) and Constance Thomas (Faith)

Biltmore Theatre (Mar 27, 1980 - Apr 13, 1980)

Cast

Ruth Cooke
Faith
Mar 11, 1980 - Mar 16, 1980
Was replaced in previews
Bill McCutcheon
Turner
Mar 11, 1980 - Mar 16, 1980
Role was cut during previews
music by Jackie Mittoo, Kendrew Lascelles, Max Romeo, Michael Kamen, Randy Bishop, Ras Karbi and Stafford Harrison; lyrics by Jackie Mittoo, Kendrew Lascelles, Max Romeo, Michael Kamen, Randy Bishop, Ras Karbi and Stafford Harrison
Act 1
Sung By
Jamaica Is Waiting
Ensemble
Rise Tafari
Natty and Rastas
Farmer
Esau
Hey Man
Faith and Esau
Mash Em Up
Rockets and Rude Boys
Mrs. Brown
Mrs. Brown, Louise and Ensemble
Everything That Touches You
Faith
Mash Ethiopia
Rockets and Rude Boys
Star of Zion
Natty
Reggae Music Got Soul
Binghi Maytal and Ensemble
Talkin' 'Bout Reggae
Binghi Maytal and Ensemble
Everything That Touches You (Reprise)
Faith
Act 2
Sung By
Rise Up Jah-Jah Children
Rastas and Ras Joseph
No Sinners in Jah Yard
Ras Joseph and Rastas
Banana, Banana, Banana
Ensemble
Promised Land
Natty
Rasta Roll Call
Ras Joseph and Rastas
Rastafari
Ensemble
Roots of the Tree
Ras Joseph and Rastas
I and I
Faith and Esau
Gotta Take a Chance
Rockets and Rude Boys
Star of Zion (Reprise)
Natty and Faith
Chase the Devil
Esau
Now I See It
Faith
Now I See It (Reggae)
Faith and Ensemble
Everything That Touches You (Reprise)
Faith and Esau
Reggae Music Got Soul (Reprise)
Faith, Esau and Ensemble
Jamaica Is Waiting (Reprise)
Faith, Esau and Ensemble
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