New civil rights musical I Dream announces cast for workshop concert

A new musical about civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy and his friendship with Martin Luther King Jr will be workshopped and presented as a script-in-hand concert, and the cast has been revealed. Plus, an extra performance has been added due to demand.

I Dream has a book, music and lyrics by Douglas Tappin, with additional writing by Jonathan Payne. The workshop production will be directed by Annabel Mutale Reed with music direction by Keith Williams and casting by Heather Basten.

First performed in Atlanta in 2010, a concert version premiered in 2017 in Washington DC. The musical was performed as an opera until 2021, after which it returned to its original form. This workshop marks the first presentation to UK audiences and will run for approximately 80 minutes with no interval, set to a contemporary gospel and soul score.

Set to appear will be Chrissie Bhima as Bria, Wendy Mae Brown as Mother/ Grandma, Rhiane Drummond as ensemble, Michael Duke as Martin, Carl Ellis as ensemble, Emilie Louise Israel as ensemble, Cal-I Jonel as ensemble, Alexia Khadime as Coretta, Jenay Naima as ensemble, Wayne Robinson as Hosea and ensemble, Obioma Ugoala as Ralph, and Rodney Vubya as ensemble.

The concert has casting by Heather Basten, lighting design by Holly Ellis, and sound design by Daniel Hunt. Livi van Warmelo joins as associate musical director and Kieran Donovan as assistant director.

The piece is produced by Musical Dramatic Arts Inc and is general managed by DEM Productions.

I Dream will be staged on Monday 27 April at The Other Palace, with a newly added 3pm showing alongside the 7pm performance.