Jubilant Sykes, Kecia Lewis-Evans and Bob Stillman Star in Hartford Stage's 'BREATH & IMAGINATION', 1/11-2/3

Internationally-celebrated classical and gospel vocalist Jubilant Sykes, Broadway veteran Kecia Lewis-Evans, and two-time Tony Award nominee Bob Stillman will star in the world premiere of Daniel Beaty's Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes, directed by Darko Tresnjak, on stage from January 11 through February 3. Press Night: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16. Opening Night: 8 p.m. on Friday, January 18.

A classically-trained American baritone, JubilantSykes will portray Roland Hayes, considered to be the first African-American male concert artist to garner wide international acclaim. Californian Sykes' career includes acclaim in classical, pop, and gospel music (Sacred Music USA's Vocalist of the Year). He performed the role of Celebrant in the 2009 Grammy Award-nominated recording of Leonard Bernstein's Mass, in addition to soloing on tour with orchestras, such as The Boston Pops and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Sykes' career includes recordings with classical guitarist Christopher Parkening; jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard; and classical conductors Lorin Maazel, Christoph Eschenbach, and Marin Alsop. He has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, London's Barbican Centre, Apollo Theater, Hollywood Bowl, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, among many others.

Before Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson, there was Roland Hayes - the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist. Born the son of a slave, Roland discovered his voice as a young boy singing spirituals in church. This world premiere, musical play, Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes, chronicles his amazing journey from a plantation in Georgia, to singing before kings and queens in Europe. At the heart of the story is Roland's loving, yet complex relationship with his mother - his Angel Mo'. Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes explores the life of an American pioneer through words, movement, spirituals and classical music.

Kecia Lewis-Evans will portray Roland Hayes' mother, Angel Mo', in Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes. On Broadway, her credits include 2012 Tony Award-nominee Leap of Faith, The Drowsy Chaperone, Chicago, Ain't Misbehavin', Big River, and Once on This Island. She's appeared in the off-Broadway productions of Langston in Harlem, From the Mississippi Delta and received a Drama Desk Nomination for her performance in Dessa Rose.

Bob Stillman will portray The Accompanist and other roles in Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes. He is a writer, musician and actor and has been nominated for two Tony awards; first as actor, composer and onstage pianist in Dirty Blonde, and later as one of the songwriters for Urban Cowboy. Other Broadway credits include Grand Hotel, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Souvenir and Grey Gardens.

Annastasia Victory (Broadway's Nice Work If You Can Get It and Billy Elliott) will serve as music director. The production also features set design by David P. Gordon; costume design by Fabio Toblini; lighting design by York Kennedy; and sound design by Jane Shaw.

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