Adam Chanler-Berat, Kyle Beltran and More Star in THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, Beginning Tonight at the Public

The Public Theater presents THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, a world premiere musical with a book by Itamar Moses, and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. Conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE begins performances tonight, September 30 and runs through Sunday, November 2, with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 22.

The complete cast of THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE features Ken Barnett (Abraham Ebdus); Kyle Beltran (Mingus); Adam Chanler-Berat (Dylan); André de Shields (Senior); Carla Duren (Marilla); Rebecca Naomi Jones (Lala, Abby); Jahi Kearse (Raf, Henry, Desmond, Jared); Kevin Mambo (Junior); Malaiyka Reid (Swing); Noah Ricketts (Swing); David Rossmer (Arthur); Conor Ryan (Radio Guy, Mike, Gabe); Kristen Sieh (Rachel Ebdus); Britton Smith (Subtle Distinction); Brian Tyree Henry (Robert) Akron Watson (Subtle Distinction); Alison Whitehurst (Skater Girl, Liza); and Juson Williams (Subtle Distinction).

Based on the nationally best-selling novel of the same name by 2005 MacArthur Fellow Jonathan Lethem, this soaring new musical THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE will open in October with a dynamite creative team including composer/lyricist Michael Friedman (Love's Labour's Lost, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and bookwriter Itamar Moses. THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE is the extraordinary coming-of-age story about 1970s Brooklyn and beyond - of black and white, soul and rap, block parties and blackouts, friendship and betrayal, comic books and 45s. And the story of what would happen if two teenagers obsessed with superheroes believed that maybe, just maybe, they could fly. Co-production with Dallas Theater Center.

THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE will feature scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau, sound design by Robert Kaplowitz, projection design by Jeff Sugg, and hair and wig design by Leah Loukas.

Single tickets, starting at $80, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street. The Library at The Public is open nightly for food and drinks, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and Joe's Pub at The Public continues to offer some of the best music in the city.

Photo Credit: Tammy Shell