Rep artistic director Rosen will direct the production that has choreography by two-time Tony nominee John Carrafa (Urinetown, Into the Woods) and Tanisha Scott, who created video choreography for artists such as Alicia Keys and Beyoncé.

Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, which co-presents the production, commissioned Venice, a contemporary tale of love and war loosely inspired by Othello. Kansas City performances run through May 9.

The cast features co-author and Clay star Matt Sax as Clown/MC, original In the Heights cast member Javier Muñoz as General Venice Monroe, Clifton Duncan as Captain Markos Monroe, Uzo Aduba (Coram Boy) as Anna, J.D. Goldblatt (Les Miserables) as Theodore Westbrook, Andrea Kiyo Goss (Rent) as Willow, Colin Hanlon (I Love You Because) as Michael Victor, Angela Polk (Crowns) as Hailey Daisy, Jasmin Walker (Avenue Q) as Emilia Monroe, with ensemble members Anna Eilinsfeld, Jay Garcia and Brandon Sollenberger.

Venice, according to KC Rep, "is an operatic tale of war, love and the ultimate quest for peace, told through a dynamic mix of musical genres including hip-hop, R&B and traditional theatre music. Brothers Venice and Markos are in conflict over how to save their city from a terrorist war; one brother seeks peace while the other is mired in treachery and destruction."

Collaborating on Venice are musical director Curtis Moore, set and costume designer Meghan Raham, lighting designer David Weiner, projection designer Jason Thompson and sound designer Joshua Horvath. Rosen and Sax's other hip-hop musical, Clay, launched Lincoln Center's developmental initiative LCT3. The work was also seen at KC Rep, the Center Theatre Group and in an About Face Theatre/Lookingglass Theatre co-production in Chicago. Venice was previously presented in an April 2009 reading by Center Theatre Group.

For tickets visit KCRep.