Original Cast Album of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS Recorded Today

The cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, which ended its twice extended, sold-out run at Vineyard Theatre on Sunday, April 18, will record an Original Cast Album of the musical on Friday, April 23rd, it has been announced by Vineyard Theatre Artistic Director Douglas Aibel. The cast album of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will be recorded and released by JAY Records. Release date TBA.

With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, a book by David Thompson, direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, orchestrations by Larry Hochman, music direction and vocal arrangements by David Loud and music arrangements by Glen Kelly, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is a new musical that explores the infamous 1930's 'Scottsboro Case', in which a group of innocent African-American teenagers are falsely accused of a terrible crime -- ultimately provoking a national outrage that sparked the American Civil Rights movement.

The cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS features: Sean Bradford, Josh Breckenridge, Derrick Cobey, John Cullum, Brandon Victor Dixon, Colman Domingo, Rodney Hicks, Kendrick Jones, Forrest McClendon, Julius Thomas III, Sharon Washington, Cody Ryan Wise, and Christian Dante White.

Conducted by Paul Masse (piano, harmonica), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS band, who will also be heard on the original cast album include: Ernie Collins (upright bass, tuba); Bruce Doctor (drums, percussion); Don Downs (trumpet, cornet); Charles Gordon (trombone); Justin Smith (violin); Andrew Sterman (flute, piccolo, clarinet); and Greg Utzig (guitar, banjo, mandolin)

When it officially opened Off-Broadway at Vineyard Theatre on March 10, critics heralded THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS as "A masterwork...if you see one show this season, make it ‘The Scottsboro Boys.' It's as simple as that," by Elisabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post. "Pitch perfect...Entertainment of the highest order, with inspired direction and choreography by Susan Stroman...an exhilarating evening of theatre," by Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press. "A winner...bold, provocative and exhilaratingly thoughtful entertainment...one of the most satisfyingly original shows to open in a very long time," by Roma Torre of NY1 News. "A cause for rejoining...the score is gorgeously and memorably melodic," by Thom Geier of Entertainment Weekly; and "A dangerously brilliant new musical," by Matt Windman of AM New York.

The legendary collaboration of John Kander and Fred Ebb over four decades resulted in some of the most beloved and enduring musicals in theatre history: from FLORA, THE RED MENACE to CABARET (Tony Award); ZORBA, CHICAGO and WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Tony Award); to KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award), CURTAINS, THE VISIT and ALL ABOUT US.

David Thompson is a Tony Award nominee for Best Book of a Musical for STEEL PIER. His other credits include the script adaptation for CHICAGO and the musical THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, a musical revue of the songs of Kander and Ebb (New York Drama Desk and Outer Critics Awards). In addition, he has written new librettos for the revival of FLORA, THE RED MENACE and Jerry Herman's DEAR WORLD.

Susan Stroman won two Tony Awards as director and choreographer of THE PRODUCERS. She co-created, directed and choreographed CONTACT for Lincoln Center Theater (Tony Award, Best Choreography). Other Broadway credits include YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HAPPINESS, OKLAHOMA!, THE MUSIC MAN, STEEL PIER, SHOW BOAT, (Tony Award) and CRAZY FOR YOU (Tony Award). Off-Broadway productions include AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND and FLORA, THE RED MENACE at The Vineyard.

Vineyard Theatre is the recipient of the Tony Award for the musical AVENUE Q and continues as producer of the musical's current production at New World Stages in New York. The Vineyard has also produced the musical [title of show] on Broadway. One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, The Vineyard has produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works and developed innovative educational collaborations. Recent productions include Tarell Alvin McCraney's acclaimed WIG OUT!. The Vineyard opened its 2009-2010 season with the enormously popular play A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, which The Vineyard recently announced is expected to receive a commercial Off-Broadway production later this season. The Vineyard is currently producing the world premiere of Adam Rapp's THE METAL CHILDREN - which begins previews on May 5 at The Vineyard (108 East 15th Street) and the new musical THE BURNT PART BOYS by Mariana Elder, Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller, directed by Joe Calarco, in co-production with Playwrights Horizons with previews beginning April 30 at Playwrights Horizons.

Vineyard Theatre is under the guidance of Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director, and Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, Executive Director.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski