Rehearsals are underway for the world premiere of the musical adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees, set to begin performances May 12 at the Atlantic Theatre Company. The musical features a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music by Duncan Sheik, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead. Sam Gold directs the Off-Broadway production, set to officially open June 13.
The cast is led by Tony nominee Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed, Hair) as Rosaleen, a Black caretaker who embarks on a pursuit with the young Lily, played by Elizabeth Teeter (The Audience, The Crucible), to uncover the mystery of Lily’s mother’s death against the backdrop of 1960s South Carolina.
The two escape on an adventure where they are taken in by a trio of Black beekeeping sisters. LaChanze (a Tony winner for The Color Purple) plays beekeeper August Boatwright, with Eisa Davis (Kings) as June, Tony nominee Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd) as T-Ray, Brett Gray (On My Block) as Zach, and Anastacia McCleskey (Waitress) as May.
Flip through photos from the first rehearsal below:
