Following the conclusion of Assassins, which wrapped up performances July 15, New York City Center has announced the casts for the next two productions of the Encores! Off-Center season: Kirsten Childs’ The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, directed by Robert O’Hara (July 26 and 27); and Maurice Sendak and Carole King’s Really Rosie, directed by Leigh Silverman (August 2–5).
Joining the previously announced Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon) in the role of Viveca in Bubbly Black Girl will be Penelope Armstead-Williams, Tanya Birl, Kaitlyn Davidson, Josh Davis as Director Bob, Yurel Echezarreta as Modern Teacher, Lauren E.J. Hamilton, Korey Jackson as Gregory, Kingsley Leggs as Daddy, Jo’Nathan Michael, Kenita R. Miller, Julius Thomas III as Ballet Teacher, Shelley Thomas as Mommy, and Alex Wong as Jazz Teacher.
Childs’ musical from 2000 follows a young African-American dancer, Viveca, from West Coast suburbia to Broadway, all the while navigating the politics of race and gender in an attempt to uncover her own identity. The revival will feature choreography by Byron Easley and music direction by Annastasia Victory.
As previously announced, the little girl with a boundless imagination at the center of the family-friendly Really Rosie will be played by Taylor Caldwell (Runaways, School of Rock). She will be joined by Swayam Bhatia, Kenneth Cabral (Runaways), Ayodele Casel (Off-Center Jamboree, Fall for Dance), Jaiya Chetram, Eduardo Hernandez (On Your Feet!), Nanyellin Liriano, Chris Lopes, Zell Steele Morrow (Fun Home), Charlie Pollock (The Wild Party), Ruth Righi (School of Rock), Anthony Rosenthal (Falsettos), and Nicole Wildy.
Really Rosie will feature music direction by Carmel Dean and Mary-Mitchell Campbell and choreography by Ayodele Casel.
Watch highlights from Assassins, the musical that kicked off the Encores! Off-Center season July 12, below:
For more information or to purchase tickets to any of the shows, visit NYCityCenter.org, or call (212) 581-1212.
