New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has announced initial casting for its production of Sia musical Saturday Church, as well as two additional world premieres that are part of its 2025-2026 season.
As previously reported, the season will kick off in fall 2025 with the world premiere of the new musical Saturday Church. The musical features a book by Emmy nominee Damon Cardasis (She Came to Me) and Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony nominee James Ijames (Fat Ham), music and lyrics by Grammy nominee Sia (This Is Acting, 1000 Forms of Fear), additional music by Grammy winner Honey Dijon (Black Girl Magic), and additional lyrics by Cardasis and Ijames. Tony nominee Whitney White (Jaja's African Hair Braiding) is set to direct, and Darrell Grand Moultrie will choreograph.
The cast will include The Voice 2025 contender (and 2021 Jimmy Awards winner) Bryson Battle, Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot), Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango (Paradise Square), and Golden Globe Award winner Michaela Ja茅 Rodriguez (Pose).
Based on the Spring Pictures film of the same name (written and directed by Cardasis), Saturday Church tells the story tells the story of Ulysses, a New York City kid devoted to his aunt's church until a chance encounter on the subway introduces him to Saturday Church, a haven for LGBTQ+ youth.
The season will continue with the world premiere of a new version of Moli猫re鈥檚 classic comedy Tartuffe by Tony Award nominee Lucas Hnath (Red Speedo), directed by Obie Award winner Sarah Benson (Fairview), and performing in the fall and winter, with dates to be announced.
In winter 2026, NYTW will present the world premiere of the new musical My Joy Is Heavy by Obie Award winners The Bengsons (Hundred Days). The work will be directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and choreographed by Steph Paul (How to Defend Yourself).
The latest from the singer-songwriter duo centers on a young family yearning for connection amidst the loss of a pregnancy in rural isolation. Surrounded by snow and wrapped in loneliness, they uncover the unexpected joys and humor that can emerge in the wake of loss. The piece was originally commissioned by Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, where the work has also been announced to perform in summer 2026.
Performance schedules, additional casting and full creative teams, as well as a fourth offering for spring 2026, will be announced at a later date.
鈥淭his season we are thrilled to give audacious artists the boldest possible canvas to debut world premiere productions,鈥� NYTW Artistic Director Patricia McGregor said in a statement. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 an exhilarating musical about queer youth, ballroom, and the places we call home; a raucous reinvention of a classic comedy; or a deeply felt musical meditation on the depths of the human spirit during unspeakable moments, this season reflects who we are now while visioning pathways for who we can become.鈥�
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