A new musical based on the novel by Jason Reynolds
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Dahlak Brathwaite
Additional Writing by
Khiyon Hursey
This overview is for informational purposes and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy units in Where There’s a Will Developmental LLC (the “Production”), and may not be relied upon in connection with the purchase or sale of any security. Interests in the Production, if offered, will only be available to parties who are “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and who are interested in investing in the Production on their own behalf. Any offering or solicitation will be made only to qualified prospective investors pursuant to an offering memorandum, and the subscription documents, all of which should be read in full. This document is confidential and intended only for the party it was distributed to.
SYNOPSIS
Long Way Down follows 15-year-old Will who is raised to follow the rules:
1. no crying;
2. no snitching;
and 3. always seek revenge.
Following the murder of his brother, Will enters an elevator intent on revenge, but on the way down to the ground floor is haunted by ghosts of family and community.
Mixing classic and contemporary hip-hop with R&B, the musical explores the cycle of violence, the nature of grieving, and the power of decision-making.
Teresa Castracane Photography. Actor: Tyrese Shawn Avery
“Brutally beautiful. The language is rich. The poetry is powerful. A triumph!” - DC Theater Arts
“A penetrating story that stays with you long after you leave the theatre. A memorable Broadway-worthy production in which everything just visually and audibly clicks.” - Maryland Theater Guide
“The overall feeling is electric, from the intensity of Ken-Matt Martin's direction to the propulsive language and immersion in hip-hop culture.” - Talkin’ Broadway
Teresa Castracane Photography. Actors: Parris Lewis, Tyrese Shawn Avery
"It’s boisterous and bracing and moving and funny and even fun..." - The Washington Post
“Challenging, chilling, and charged with emotion, sparking live-wire energy as if lightning might strike at any moment.” - DC Theater Arts
"An excellent fable of breaking generational cycle of violence.” - Morris Theatre DC
“With affecting songs, beautiful movement, and balanced dramedy, Long Way Down avoids being preachy, confident that an enraptured audience is an audience that remembers best. �- Washington City Paper
Teresa Castracane Photography. Actor: Victor Musoni
THE NOVEL
BY JASON REYNOLDS
Awards and Accolades:
MacArthur Genius Award Recipient
A Newbery Honor Book
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
A Printz Honor Book
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner for Young Adult Literature
Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award
An Edgar Award Winner for Best Young Adult Fiction
Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner
An Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2017
A Vulture Best YA Book of 2017
A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2017
Credit: Adedayo “Dayo” Kosoko, 2020
MEET THE TEAM
Dahlak is an award-winning dramatic auteur: playwright, composer, performer, director, and filmmaker. His work has been presented at The Smithsonian, Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, REDCAT, MCA Chicago, Ars Nova, The Public Theater, The Apollo, SXSW, by Creative Time, and on HBO’s last two seasons of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry.
Dahlak Brathwaite
Writer | Composer
Ken-Matt Martin
Director | Choreographer
Simean Carpenter
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Khiyon Hursey
Writer | Composer
Khiyon is a writer and composer. He recently finished co-penning songs with Oscar and Grammy winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (LaLa Land, Dear Evan Hansen) for the major motion picture SPIRITED starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer. The song "Good Afternoon" from the film was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Ken-Matt has established himself as a preeminent theater director, cultural worker, and collaborator who has worked with some of the industry’s most formidable artists. He began his life in the performing arts as a child actor after booking an appearance on Nickelodeon’s landmark series All That. As an actor, Martin has appeared in dozens of regional productions across the country.
Victor is an actor, writer and dancer based in Chicago. Select theater credits include: Toni Stone (Goodman); The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, Columbinus (Steppenwolf); What to Send Up When it Goes Down (Congo Square); Queen of the Night (Victory Gardens); America V2.1, are you ready to smash white things?, No Child (Definition Theatre Company).
Simean “Sim” is an award-winning, African-American scenic, lighting and production designer from Baltimore, MD. He has worked as a freelance teaching artist, creative director/designer and has toured with theater companies and music groups throughout North America. Sim holds a deep passion for social equality.
Victor Musoni
Co-Choreographer
Kelley Girod
Dramaturg
Kelley Girod is Director of New Work at the world famous Apollo theater. In addition, Kelley continues to serve as Executive Director of OBIE award winning The Fire This Time Festival, a platform for early career Black playwrights, which she founded in 2009. Kelley Nicole Girod is also an award-winning playwright whose work has been developed/presented at Atlantic Theater Company, Sheen Center for Thought and Culture, The Fire This Time Festival, Harlem 9, Primary Stages, Sundance and more.
MEET THE TEAM
TWTheatricals (Tegan Meyer, Barbara Pasternack)
TheaterWorksUSA/TWTheatricals has led the Theater for Young and Family Audiences movement in New York City and across North America for over half a century. At TWUSA, we believe that access to art—and theater, in particular—is vital for our youth. Since 1967, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 140 original plays and musicals. Acclaimed alumni include Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Disney’s Frozen), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Jerry Zaks (The Music Man), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen), Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton), Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America), and Chuck Cooper (Tony award-winning actor, The Life). WWW.TWTHEATRICALS.COM
Edgewood Entertainment (Dale A. Mott)
Edgewood Entertainment is unwavering in its commitment to supporting and sharing artists’ stories that are beautiful, authentic, relatable, and deeply affecting. With a laser focus on supporting BIPOC, LGBTQ+ artists, Edgewood Entertainment produces work for commercial audiences and provides access to a community of supportive champions, friends, and allies. Edgewood, led by Dale A. Mott, has been a producer of the Broadway productions of A Strange Loop (Tony Award, Best Musical), The Piano Lesson, New York, New York, Thoughts of a Colored Man, and The Lifespan of a Fact. Current projects as lead producer include the new musicals Long Way Down and Gun & Powder, as well as two new works in development, La Egoista and Grace. More at Edgewoodedge.com
Adam Hess (DR Theatrical Management)
The Apollo
In 1983, The Apollo received state and city landmark status and in 1992, Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., was established as a private, nonprofit organization to manage, fund, and oversee programming for The Apollo Theater. Today, The Apollo, which functions under the guidance of a Board of Directors, presents concerts, performing arts, education and community outreach programs. In 2024, The Apollo expanded its physical footprint, becoming the operator and manager for the cultural space located a few doors down within The Victoria Theater Redevelopment Project.
Olney Theatre Centre
Founded in 1938 as a summer playhouse, Olney Theatre Center (OTC) now produces year-round world and American premieres of plays and musicals, and reimaginations of familiar titles; presents the work of leading companies; tours nationally and locally; teaches students of all ages; and mentors the next generation of theatremakers. For more than 8 decades, OTC has brought impactful theater performance and education to our community, helping to grow the vibrancy and vitality of our home in central Maryland.
TIMELINE
November 2022
Staged Readings
October 2023
Invitation Only Presentations
May/ June 2024
Rolling World Premiere begins at�Olney Theater Centre
2025
Off-Broadway 2025/2026 Season
2026
Commercial Production, Commercial Licensing,
Cast Album
AUDIENCE REACTIONS
AUDIO AND VIDEO ASSETS
Archival Available Upon Request