The world premiere of a musical based on Memphis-based Stax Records, one of the cornerstones of 1960s soul and rhythm & blues, will close out the 2017-18 season at Baltimore’s Center Stage, the theater announced today.
Written by Matthew Benjamin and directed by outgoing Center Stage artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah, “Soul the Stax Musical’ will run at Center Stage from May 3 to June 10.
The play tells the story of Stax and its impact on American culture. It will feature the music of such legendary Stax recording artists as Otis Redding, The Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes.
The show is being produced in association with Stuart Benjamin and Concord Music.
“Soul the Stax Musical” will mark the final production of Kwei-Armah’s seven-season tenure with Center Stage. In February, he will assume the position of artistic director of the Young Vic in his native London.