"The Harder They Come: A Radical Retelling”
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Perry Henzell’s breakthrough film THE HARDER THEY COME premiered in 1972, showing a side of Jamaican culture never seen before on the screen by Jamaicans or around the world. Over 50 years later, this groundbreaking film is a new musical adaptation with a book by Suzan-Lori Parks (Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, The Public’s Writer-in-Residence). This episode pulls apart the cultural nuances and underbelly of a culture not often examined in a theatrical setting. Join us as we dive deep into the history of the film in1970s Jamaica, as well as a look at what goes into adapting a film into a musical.
Guests include:
In alphabetical order…
Freedome Bradley-Ballentine, Associate Artistic Director / Director of Artistic Programs
Sandra Daley-Sharif, Cultural Ambassador
Kwame Dawes, Cultural Consultant
Camille Darby, Playwright and VP of Brand Marketing - Condé Nast
Sharon Gordon, Cultural Ambassador
Justine Henzell, Rights Holder and Daughter of Perry Henzell
Amrita Ramanan, Dramaturg and Director of New Work and Development
Kenny Seymour, Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger
Malika Lee Whitney, Cultural Ambassador
Hosted by Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff. Welcome home to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!
Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media
Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions
Story Editors: Garlia Cornelia Jones, John Sloan III
Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions
Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate
Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio
Music Credits:
“Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io
“Strip It Down” By Falconer, Artlist.io
“Beatrix” By Notize, Artlist.io
“Passionate Choices” By Mansij, Artlist.io
“Baby I’m Stuck In A Cone” By Ge Filter Fish, Artlist.io
“Shake It Around.” By Falconer, Artlist.io
“This Is The Life” By Yuval Maayan, Artlist.io
"Catch me” By Russo, Artlist.io
Rehearsal photos of The Harder They Come by Joan Marcus
Transcript by 3Play
Freedome Bradley-Ballentine
Associate Artistic Director; Director of Artistic Programs
Kwame Dawes
Cultural Consultant
Suzan-Lori Parks
Writer in Residence
Amrita Ramanan
Production Dramaturg / Director of New Work
Kenny Seymour
Music Director, Orchestrator, Arranger
Justine Henzell
Rights Holder
Sharon Gordon
Cultural Ambassador
Sandra Daley-Sharif
Cultural Ambassador
Malika Lee Whitney
Cultural Ambassador