Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal for New Musical SWEETEE, Beginning Tonight Off-Broadway

Sweetee, new American musical, begins a strictly limited engagement at the Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues) tonight, May 23, for a run through June 18, with opening night on June 1. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Directed and choreographed by five time Tony nominee and two-time Emmy Award winner Patricia Birch (Broadway: Grease, Candide, ParadeSweetee tells the story of an outcast minister, a young street singer, and a band of orphans in the 1930's depression-era South. As they struggle to make music and find their place in a world amid bigotry and poverty, a tale emerges of spiritual triumph in the face of adversity and racism. Nothing comes easy...but dreams are big.

Sweetee features book, music and lyrics by Gail Kriegel (Home Front, Seven), scenic design by Timothy Mackabee (Broadway: The Elephant Man), costume design by Tricia Barsamian (Broadway: Present Laughter), lighting design by Kirk Bookman (Thoroughly Modern Millie), and sound design by Janie Bullard (Cagney). Doug Katsaros (Broadway:The Rocky Horror Show) in the musical director and Greg Uliasz (Heaven Can Wait) is the associate director.

The cast includes: Jelani Aladdin (Future Broadway: Frozen, Macbeth), Katy Blake (Mamma Mia!), Cedric Cannon (Camelot), Adante Carter (Carrie, the Musical), Hugh Cha (The King and I), Dave Droxler (Candide), Morgan Siobhan Green (A Dog Play!), Jeremiah James (Billy Bigelow in the West End revival of Carousel, member of best selling recording group Teatro), Amir Royale, Jordan Tyson and Katherine Weber (Into The Woods).

Jelani Aladdin, Hugh Cha and Adante Carter
Jordan Tyson and Jelani Aladdin
Jordan Tyson and Jelani Aladdin
Jordan Tyson and the cast
Katy Blake and the cast
Morgan Siobhan Green
The company of Sweetee