WEARING BLACK
ADDICTION, GRIEF, LOVE
ABOUT THE SHOW
When his twin brother, a drug addict, suddenly passes away from his reckless life, all Evan wants to do is forget their complicated relationship and move on, but the tangled relationships his brother left behind keep Evan from truly letting go. As he slips into a spiral of his own self-destruction, Evan must make a stark decision: either accept and forgive his dead twin brother, or become him.
Set to a lush, contemporary musical theatre score, WEARING BLACK explores how addiction impacts families, how people grieve, and the different ways they accept and reject love.
Wearing Black performed a 15-minute snapshot at the 2011 West Village Musical Theatre Festival, then the full first act as part of the 2013 FRIGID Festival where it was awarded Best Original Score, as well as favorable audience and critical reviews. Wearing Black also performed a 15-minute snapshot as part of the 2013 NYMF event Riley Thomas: Looking Forward before running in its entirety as an invited production in NYMF 2015 where it won an Outstanding Individual Performance award for Mark Coffin (Hugh). The musical received further development in 2016, while in residence at the Weston Playhouse with director Markus Potter.
CAST
MEL JOHNSON, JR. (Hugh) Broadway: Jekyll and Hyde, Hot Feet, The Lion King, Big Deal, The Rink, Eubie!, On The 20th Century. National Tours: Frederick Douglass/In The Shadow of Slavery, Jelly’s Last Jam. Off-Broadway: Road to Damascus, Road Show, Two Gentleman of Verona, Venus, Hamlet, Rap Master Ronnie. Film: Total Recall, American Bluenote, Hedious. Television: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, On The Air. Plus Numerous Regional Theatre Productions.
KEVIN SCHUERING (Evan) is overjoyed to be reunited with this thought provoking piece. Select NYC/Regional: Wearing Black (NYMF), Solana (Playwright Horizons) Carousel (NAAP), Miss Saigon (Ogunquit Playhouse), Aladdin (Chicago Shakespeare). Thanks to Smalls, the three amigos, fam, Gotham Talent, Riley, Markus and the entire Wearing Black fam!
CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (Nate) is an accomplished actor, producer, singer and songwriter best known for his Tony-nominated performance in Rock of Ages and his epic run as a finalist during the heyday of “American Idol.” Currently, Constantine is developing a number of creative projects in TV and film, including Tony Nominated work as a producer of Broadway’s revival of Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, as well as recently releasing the singles, “Here I Come” and “She’s Just Rock N Roll,” from his upcoming album. Constantine recently closed out his starring role in the critically acclaimed Second Stage Theatre production of Friend Art. Find all his social media and tour dates at www.ConstantineMaroulis.com.
ERIN MAYA (Kristin) has played the role of Kristin in Wearing Black since its workshop at the Frigid Festival, and in both the concert version and full production at NYMF. Favorite credits include: Helen in The Donkey Show (Boston original cast) directed by Diane Paulus at A.R.T., Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors at The Hangar Theatre, Janis Joplin in Beehive at Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and making magic with Transcendence Theatre Company. B.F.A. Boston Conservatory. Proud AEA member. www.erinmaya.com
NORA SCHELL (Alyssa) graduated last May from The University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Gender, Race and Nation. She hails from Atlanta, GA and was seen in the original Off-Broadway production of Spamilton, for which she received a Clive Barnes nomination. She has recently been a part of several new works at such places as Playwrights Horizons, NAMT Festival and more. Big thanks to her fabulous agents at CGF and endless love to her supportive family.
CREATIVE
SHAUNA MILES (Stage Directions) Selected credits. Theatre: The Christmas Spectacular (Radio City); No. 11 *Blue & White* (The Play Company); Well (Denver Center); The Miracle Worker (Syracuse Stage). Film/Television: Bachelorette; The Following, The Good Wife, Elementary, Law & Order: SVU. MFA: National Theatre Conservatory.
MARKUS POTTER (Director) is a NYC based, international director. Credits include Stalking the Bogeyman (New World Stages, Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination, NY Times critics pick), Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods by Tammy Ryan at The Portland Stage Company, Why You Beasting by David Don Miller (Best of FringeNYC, transferred to the Players theatre off-Broadway), North Carolina Stage Company, New Jersey Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, Luna Stage. As actor: Guthrie Theatre, Long Wharf, American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Rep, San Francisco Shakespeare, Cherry Lane Theatre, Tour of Death of a Salesman with Christopher Lloyd, Studio Theatre DC, Denver Center. MFA: Columbia University. MarkusPotter.com
NEWYORKREP/THE TELLING COMPANY (Producer) was founded by Artistic Director Markus Potter and Executive Director Gayle Waxenberg with the passion to be a propelling force in the awareness of human, social issues through art. Their productions honestly and creatively address social and moral issues. Recent recognition: Outer Critics Circle Award nomination “New American Play”, Off-West End award nomination “Best Production”, Bergen Record Top 10 productions of the year.
McCorkle Casting, LTD. (Casting Director) Over 55 Broadway productions including On the Town, Amazing Grace. High, The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, The Glass Menagerie, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Stalking The Bogeyman, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Amadeus, She Loves Me, Blood Brothers, A Few Good Men. Notable Off-Broadway projects include; Clever Little Lies, Falling, Freud’s Last Session, Almost Maine, Ears On A Beatle, Down The Garden Paths, Killer Joe, Mrs. Klein, Driving Miss Daisy. Over 50 feature films and 60 projects for television and new media.
PRESS
JANUARY 2017 READING PRESS:
BroadwayWorld
Constantine Maroulis, Mel Johnson, Jr., Grasan Kingsberry and More Sign on for WEARING BLACK Reading
Talkin Broadway
Constantine Maroulis, Mel Johnson, Jr., Grasan Kingsberry and more join cast of upcoming WEARING BLACK reading, Mon. Jan. 23
BroadwayWorld
Industry Readings of WEARING BLACK Set for Next Month
Theatrical Index
WEARING BLACK to receive industry reading Jan 23
Talkin Broadway
WEARING BLACK… Industry readings of new musical set for Jan. 23
NYMF 2015 FEEDBACK:
“Wearing Black is a poignant and nuanced rock-inspired musical that explores what’s left after death with swagger and grace in equal measure.”
-William Barnett, NYMFunauthorized.com
“The show is soulful with great magnetic energy.”
-Angel Lam, Theatre is Easy
“There’s some gorgeous songwriting to be found here.”
-Matthew Murray, TalkinBroadway
“Thomas’s lyrics are always elevated by his unique and exciting musical style.”
-Zachary Stewart, TheatreMania.com
“Riley Thomas is someone to watch.”
-Suzanna Bowling, Times Square Chronicles