New York Theatre Workshop will kick off its 2025-2026 season with the world premiere of the new musical Saturday Church. Performances will begin this fall, with Tony nominee Whitney White (Jaja's African Hair Braiding) at the helm. Dates are to be announced.
Saturday Church features a book by Emmy nominee Damon Cardasis (She Came to Me) and Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony nominee James Ijames (Fat Ham), music and lyrics by Grammy nominee Sia (This Is Acting, 1000 Forms of Fear), and additional music by Grammy winner Honey Dijon (Black Girl Magic). It's unclear if Sia's score will be original or if the musical will pull from her existing song catalogue.
Casting is to be announced.
Based on the Spring Pictures film of the same name (written and directed by Cardasis), Saturday Church tells the story tells the story of Ulysses, a New York City kid devoted to his aunt's church until a chance encounter on the subway introduces him to Saturday Church, a haven for LGBTQ+ youth.
“I am thrilled to be making a return to New York Theatre Workshop with this new musical by Damon Cardasis, James Ijames, Sia, and Honey Dijon,” White said in a statement. “Saturday Church is an odyssey of becoming. We follow Ulysses as he discovers what it means to live in one’s truth and ultimately how to help the ones we love to embrace us in our fullness. When I first read and heard the music of Saturday Church, I leaped at the possibility to direct it—the iconic songs, celebration of body, and portrait of faith and self-discovery all combine into what I hope will be an unforgettable evening of theatre. This musical dares us to open up and shine bright even during moments of uncertainty and change, and that feels right to me. New York Theatre Workshop remains an artistic home and space where the impossible becomes possible. I look forward to inviting audiences to Saturday Church and hope that it is a moment of possibility and celebration for us all.”
The production will feature music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Special Tony Award Recipient Jason Michael Webb (MJ The Musical) and Grammy Award winner Luke Solomon (Beyoncé's Renaissance), with choreography by Obie Award winner Darrell Grand Moultrie (Fat Ham).
“A vibrant, audacious musical theatre piece, Saturday Church is a necessary balm for our moment,” added NYTW Artistic Director Patricia McGregor. “It is situated in our world and also envisions a world centered in love. It is an earnest depiction of finding our way to the other side and epitomizes a vision for the theatre as a roadmap of how to get through the storm. The team that has come together to realize this deeply joyful and thrillingly theatrical adaptation of Damon Cardasis’ beautiful film includes visionary theater makers at the top of their craft and recording artists celebrated the world over. It’s a privilege to welcome Whitney White back to NYTW and to invite Damon, James Ijames, Sia, Honey Dijon, Jason Michael Webb, Luke Solomon, and Darrell Moultrie into the Workshop family and I can’t wait to invite audiences to experience their work.”
The creative team will also include scenic designer David Zinn (Stereophonic), costume designer Qween Jean (CATS: "The Jellicle Ball"), lighting designer Adam Honoré (CATS: "The Jellicle Ball"), and sound designer Gareth Owen (Hell’s Kitchen). Music production is by Grammy Award winner Chris Penny (Beyoncé's Renaissance). Casting is by Nicholas Petrovich and Erica Hart. Jhanaë K-C Bonnick will serve as the stage manager.
Saturday Church is produced by special arrangement with Tim Levy and Cindy Tolan.
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