LONG WAY DOWN

Adapted from the novel by Jason Reynolds
Book, music and lyrics by Dahlak Brathwaite
Additional writing by Khiyon Hursey
Choreographed by Ken-Matt Martin and Victor Musoni
Directed by Ken-Matt Martin

TheaterWorksUSA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director; Michael Harrington, Executive Director), Edgewood Entertainment (Dale A. Mott, Producer/Managing Director; Charles D. Urstadt, Producer/Managing Director), and The Apollo (Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer) are pleased to present Long Way Down, adapted from the New York Times best-selling novel by Jason Reynolds. The new Broadway-bound hip-hop/r&b musical was presented from May 22-June 23, 2024 at the Olney Theatre Center in Olney, MD and at The Apollo’s new Victoria Theater in 2025, with production dates to be announced.

Long Way Down features book, music and lyrics by poet, performance artist and musician Dahlak Brathwaite (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Spiritrials, Try/Step/Trip), additional writing by Khiyon Hursey (Netflix’s Soundtrack, Love in America, Spirited with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul), co-choreography by Ken-Matt Martin (Goodman Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival) and Victor Musoni (Goodman Theatre’s Toni Stone, Steppenwolf’s Columbinus), and directed by Mr. Martin. Scenic and lighting design is by Simean Carpenter.  

Published in 2017, Jason Reynolds’ critically acclaimed novel, written in verse, received a prestigious John Newbery Honor, along with a Printz Award Honor and the Coretta Scott King Honor.

With humor and grace and mixing classic and contemporary hip-hop with r&b, Long Way Down explores the cycle of violence, the nature of grieving, and the power of decision-making.  

Long Way Down tracks 15-year-old Will who is raised to follow the rules- number one, no crying; number two, no snitching; and number three, 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. 

Return >