Crystal Johnson's THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN Musical Comes to Brooklyn

THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN, a dramatic, autobiographical musical chronicles the journey of Crystal Johnson as she goes from early developmental stages as a vocalist and thespian on Off-Broadway blossoming into a Broadway actress, singer and songwriter signed to a major record label.

Along with her spiritual and emotional growth, we watch Crystal at the height of her career faced with a fateful turn of events choose to fully embrace motherhood which culminated into her adopting her biological cousin.

THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN represents the Hip-Hop culture of NYC during the 80's and 90's while capturing the essence of a 70's Black Broadway Musical. "Today individual women represent the village and I am sharing my story for those strong women. They need to know that," stated playwright, director and producer Crystal Johnson.

This production is composed by playwright Crystal Johnson, grammy award winner; Chapman Roberts, Grammy award winner; Easy Mo Bee, Mike City, Dinky Bingham, and Herb Middleton who has worked with greats such as; Patti LaBelle, The Temptations,SWV, Pac, Busta Rhymes, Usher, Ann Nesby and more. Produced by Dedra N. Tate, Music Director Swiss Chris and assistant director Victor Arnez. Running time is approximately 120 minutes.

The cast includes: Crystal Johnson, Christopher Williams, Amber Nicole, Sam Kiley, Rachel Green, Robbie Tate-Brickle, Easy Mo Bee, Jasmine Renee Thomas, David Murfree-Holder, Dave McKenzie, Danie Lavern, Jessie Davis, Sekou R. Tucker, Tiffany Wilson, Frank Dunham Jr., Nicolette, Alphonso Brown, Nejma Shea, BeatBoi, Adonia Hosier, Prince Cyriq, Samantha Howard, Trevone Perry and Divine Purpose.

THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN plays Thursday; May 5th at 7:30pm, Friday; May 6th at 7:30pm, Saturday; May 7th at 2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday; May 8th at 2pm and 7:30pm at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at LIU Brooklyn One University Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Purchase tickets at thedaybeforeheaven.com or Kumbletheater.org.

Crystal Jeanell Johnson is a singer, songwriter, producer, and actress originally from Brooklyn, New York. Her career began at age 7, when she recorded with Pink Floyd "Another Brick In The Wall" and the Institutional Children's Choir, which has included a variety of stage productions and musical collaborations. She starred in the original cast member in Momma I Want To Sing. She has had supporting roles in Porgy & Bess and Gospel At Colonus starring Morgan Freeman. She has worked with an array of well-known artists, including Usher Raymond, Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Mobb Deep, Heavy D, and Dr. Dre.
Her vocal credits include several albums that charted in the United States, including "Got Me Waiting" from the Heavy D album Nuttin' But Love, which topped the Billboard US Rap chart and reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Temperature's Rising" from Mobb Deep's The Infamous, which reached #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and "Lovin' You" on the soundtrack for the film Who's the Man?. She was also an arranger and lyricist for the latter album, which reached #8 on the US Rap charts in 1995. Crystal also collaborated with Lord Finesse and Dr. Dre on his multi-platinum CD, Chronic 2001, co-writing "The Message".Johnson self-produced album, released in 2011, titled THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN. This charted #1 on the UK Soul Charts and serves as the soundtrack for her latest project, THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN- The Musical.

Christopher Williams singer and actor signed with Geffen, Uptown and now Renegade Records he's had multiple hits and has acted in New Jack City, New York Undercover in the 90's and multiple Off- Broadway productions in recent years. Williams is playing Bensonhurst Louie in THE DAY BEFORE HEAVEN.

Easy Mo Bee born Osten Harvey Jr. is a R&B and Hip Hop producer who has worked with everyone from Miles Davis to Big Daddy Kane and started at Bad Boy with Sean Combs working on Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album Ready to Die. Mo Bee won a Grammy for producing Miles Davis last album Doo Bop. Working with Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Alicia Keys and tops artists in the industry makes him a great addition to the team as Uncle Norman.

Amber Nicole born Amber Scott will play young Crystal was a contestant on Season 5 of NBC's The Voice apart of Christina Aguilera and then stolen by Ceelo Green in the knockout round making it to the top 15.

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