Oscar Micheaux Suite
Inspired by the life of the first major African-American film director and producer, Oscar Micheaux, this suite is modeled on Micheaux's biography, incorporating text from his writings. Micheaux’s ground-breaking films focused on contemporary Black life in the first half of the 20th century, racial relationships, and the struggle of African Americans trying to achieve success. He sought to create films that would counter white portrayals of African Americans, featuring complex characters of different social classes.
This suite strives to honor Micheaux’s work and the context in which it was created through an original, contemporary performance lens. It also marks the next step in the development of a new full-length stage musical that will tell the story of this charismatic and visionary African-American leader, produced through New York City's Prospect Theater Company. In March 2021, Prospect released an original short film, Making Micheaux, an investigation of a turning point in the filmmaker's creative life. The Oscar Micheaux Suite features songs from this film, as well as brand new material exploring new directions.
Vocals & Tap: Aaron Marcellus
Trumpet: Alphonso Horne
Piano: Mathis Picard
Drums: Diego Ramirez
Songs from the Oscar Micheaux Suite
Music: Alphonso Horne
Book & Lyrics: Jesse L. Kearney, Jr.
Additional Lyrics: Peter Mills
Creative Producer (Prospect Theater Company): Cara Reichel
