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First Look at Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent

The new off-Broadway musical is currently running at the Public Theater.

Editorial Staff
Off-Broadway
The cast of The Total Bent, directed by Joanna Settle, at the Public Theater.
The cast of The Total Bent, directed by Joanna Settle, at the Public Theater.
(© Joan Marcus)

The Total Bent, a new musical featuring a book by Stew, and a score by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, is now in performances at the Public Theater. Joanna Settle directs the production, which officially opens May 25 and will run through June 19.

Ato Blankson-Wood and David Cale in a scene from Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent.
Ato Blankson-Wood and David Cale in a scene from Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent.
(© Joan Marcus)

The Total Bent explores the life of a young black musical prodigy in a nation on the verge of social upheaval. The company is made up of Ato Blankson-Wood (Marty Roy), Kenny Brawner (Deacon Charlie), David Cale (Byron Blackwell), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Joe Roy), Damian Lemar Hudson (Deacon Dennis), Jahi Kearse (Andrew), and Curtis Wiley (Abee).

Vondie Curtis Hall takes to the mic in the new musical.
Vondie Curtis Hall takes to the mic in the new musical.
(© Joan Marcus)

The onstage band will feature the show's composers Stew and Rodewald, as well as musical director Marty Beller, John Blevins, and Brad Mulholland.

Curtis Wiley, Ato Blankson-Wood, and Jahi Kearse share the stage.
Curtis Wiley, Ato Blankson-Wood, and Jahi Kearse share the stage.
(© Joan Marcus)

For tickets and more information, click here.

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Musical

The Total Bent

New York City

Closed: June 26, 2016