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The Secret Life of Bees Opens Off-Broadway

The new musical based on Sue Monk Kidd’s novel features Elizabeth Teeter, LaChanze, and Saycon Sengbloh.

Janie Willison
New York City Off-Broadway

The new musical adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees opened at Atlantic Theater Company on June 13. Take a look below at TheaterMania's photos from the festivities.

Eisa Davis, LaChanze, Elizabeth Teeter, Saycon Sengbloh, and the company at curtain call.
Eisa Davis, LaChanze, Elizabeth Teeter, Saycon Sengbloh, and the company at curtain call.
(© David Gordon)

Based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees features a score by Tony winner Duncan Sheik and Susan Birkenhead, with a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. Sam Gold directs.

The company of The Secret Life of Bees.
The company of The Secret Life of Bees.
(© David Gordon)

The cast features Romelda Teron Benjamin (Queenie, ensemble), Joe Cassidy (Clayton, ensemble), Vita E. Cleveland (Violet, ensemble), Eisa Davis (June), Matt DeAngelis (Silas, ensemble), Manoel Felciano (T-Ray), Brett Gray (Zach), Jai'Len Christine Li Josey (ensemble), LaChanze (August), Anastacia McCleskey (May), Saycon Sengbloh (Rosaleen), Nathaniel Stampley (Neil), and Elizabeth Teeter (Lily).

The company: composer Duncan Sheik, choreographer Chris Walker, lyricist Susan Birkenhead, novelist Sue Monk Kidd, director Sam Gold, and book writer Lynn Nottage.
The company: composer Duncan Sheik, choreographer Chris Walker, lyricist Susan Birkenhead, novelist Sue Monk Kidd, director Sam Gold, and book writer Lynn Nottage.
(© David Gordon)

The creative team includes choreography by Chris Walker, scenic design by Mimi Lien, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jane Cox, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, puppets by AchesonWalsh Studios, musical direction by Jason Hart, music contraction by Antoine Silverman, orchestrations by Duncan Sheik and John Clancy, incidental music orchestrations by Duncan Sheik, hair and makeup design by Cookie Jordan, fight direction by UnkleDave's Fight House, and dialects by Dawn-Elin Fraser.

Happy opening to The Secret Life of Bees.
Happy opening to The Secret Life of Bees.
(© David Gordon)

The Secret Life of Bees is described as follows: "South Carolina, 1964. Lily Owens, a restless white teenager, struggles with her merciless father and the haunting memory of her mother's death. When Rosaleen, her black caregiver, is beaten and jailed for asserting her right to vote, Lily's rebellious spirit is ignited. She and Rosaleen escape on an adventure where they are taken in by a trio of black beekeeping sisters. While Lily tries to unlock the secrets of her past, she and Rosaleen find solace in the mesmerizing world of bees and spirituality in this extraordinary tale of awakening, fellowship and healing."