THE HARDER THEY COME
World Premiere
THE HARDER THEY COME
Book by Suzan-Lori Parks
Including Songs by Jimmy Cliff
Additional New Songs by Suzan-Lori Parks
Based upon the film, produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone
Music Supervision, Orchestrations, and Arrangements by Kenny Seymour
Choreography by Edgar Godineaux
Co-Directed by Sergio Trujillo
Directed by Tony Taccone
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and The Public’s Writer-in-Residence, Suzan-Lori Parks, brings to The Public a new musical adaptation of the 1972 movie, THE HARDER THEY COME.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the breakthrough film, produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone, tells the story of Ivan, a young singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, eager to become a star. After falling in love and cutting a record deal with a powerful music mogul, Ivan soon learns that the game is rigged, and as he becomes increasingly defiant, he finds himself in a battle that threatens not only his life, but the very fabric of Jamaican society.
Featuring Grammy Award winner Jimmy Cliff’s hits, “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and "Many Rivers to Cross," former Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre Tony Taccone directs this new musical, with co-direction by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo and choreography by Edgar Godineaux.
CALENDAR.
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
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THU 02/16
8:00 PM
Joseph Papp Free Performance;
Mask Required
FRI 02/17 8:00 PM
SAT 02/18 8:00 PM
SUN 02/19 8:00 PM
TUE 02/21
8:00 PM
Mask Required
WED 02/22 8:00 PM
THU 02/23 8:00 PM
FRI 02/24 8:00 PM
SAT 02/25
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SAT 02/25 8:00 PM
SUN 02/26
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SUN 02/26 8:00 PM
TUE 02/28
8:00 PM
Mask Required
WED 03/01
8:00 PM
Partner Cocktail Reception. Please check your available benefits. RSVP to Partners Desk.
THU 03/02 8:00 PM
FRI 03/03 8:00 PM
SAT 03/04
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SAT 03/04 8:00 PM
SUN 03/05
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SUN 03/05
8:00 PM
Community Night
TUE 03/07
8:00 PM
Mask Required
WED 03/08 8:00 PM
THU 03/09 8:00 PM
FRI 03/10 8:00 PM
SAT 03/11
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SAT 03/11 8:00 PM
SUN 03/12
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SUN 03/12 8:00 PM
TUE 03/14
8:00 PM
Mask Required
WED 03/15
8:00 PM
Opening Night
THU 03/16 8:00 PM
FRI 03/17 8:00 PM
SAT 03/18
2:00 PM
Open Caption;
Mask Required
SAT 03/18 8:00 PM
SUN 03/19
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SUN 03/19 8:00 PM
TUE 03/21
8:00 PM
Mask Required
WED 03/22 8:00 PM
THU 03/23 8:00 PM
FRI 03/24
8:00 PM
American Express Card Member performance, followed by a special post-show event. Access tickets by using your American Express Card.
SAT 03/25
2:00 PM
Audio Described;
Mask Required
SAT 03/25 8:00 PM
SUN 03/26
2:00 PM
Mask Required
SUN 03/26 8:00 PM
TUE 03/28
8:00 PM
Mask Required
WED 03/29 8:00 PM
THU 03/30
8:00 PM
American Sign Language (ASL)
FRI 03/31 8:00 PM
Tickets
Tickets start at $105, plus fees*
Public Supporter and Partner tickets start at $95
View the Newman Theater seating chart
*All orders subject to $7 per ticket service fee and $3 per ticket facility fee. All fees are waived for Public Theater Supporters and Partners. When purchasing tickets at the Taub Box Office the $7 per ticket service fee is waived.
In keeping with guidance from the city, state, and federal officials, proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer required for access to The Public’s facility, theaters, and the restaurant.
The use of a face mask is strongly encouraged at all performances, but a mask is now only required at all Tuesday evening and Saturday and Sunday matinee performances, as well as Joseph Papp Free Performances.
For complete health and safety protocols, visit Health & Safety, Next Steps.
Take advantage of Priority Access periods, savings on tickets, and a host of other benefits. At the same time, you'll be providing vital support in the creation of the art, music, and theater available in your 22/23 season. Join in today.
Join us for an American Express® Card Member performance on Friday, March 24, at 8PM ET. Learn more about American Express® Seating Options.
The following dates are the Community Nights planned for this production. Please check back at a later date for more information on how to access the performance:
- Sunday, March 5, 8PM
A free membership program that delivers weekly email content about The Public, ticket offerings, invitations to special events, and news. Learn more and join in.
- Open Caption performance Saturday, March 18, 2PM
- Audio Description performance Saturday, March 25, 2PM
- American Sign Language performance Thursday, March 30, 8PM
- Open Caption performance Saturday, April 1, 2PM
Learn more about Accessibility Services for People with Disabilities. If you have additional questions, need assistance, or an accommodation please contact us at [email protected].
PRODUCTION DETAILS.
Dive Deeper
Both have been remediated for screen readers.
Content and Production Effect Warning
Learn about runtimes, late seating, and production effect advisories and more.
Extras
Located on the Levin Mezzanine of The Public, check out the Wheel & Come Again, art exhibition inspired by the original film. Several pieces are up for auction with proceeds going to the American Friends of Jamaica for their scholarship initiatives. Visit the auction here and bid through April 4.
Cast.
Jeannette Bayardelle
Daisy
Shawn Bowers
Ensemble
J. Bernard Calloway
Preacher
Andrew Clarke
Lyle
Eean Sherrod Cochran
Understudy
Tyla Collier
Understudy
Jamal Christopher Douglas
Ensemble
Tiffany Francès
Understudy
Garfield Hammonds
Understudy
Dana Marie Ingraham
Ensemble
Dominique Johnson
Jose
Chelsea-Ann Jones
Ensemble
Natey Jones
Ivan
Dudney Joseph Jr
Ray
Dwight Xaveir Leslie
Understudy
Morgan McGhee
Ensemble
Meecah
Elsa
Jacob Ming-Trent
Pedro
Alysha Morgan
Ensemble
Ken Robinson
Hilton
Housso Semon
Ensemble
Denver Andre Taylor
Understudy
Sir Brock Warren
Ensemble
Carla Woods
Understudy
Christopher Henry Young
Ensemble
Creative.
Book
Songs
Music Supervision, Orchestrations, and Dance Arrangements
Choreography
Co-Direction
Direction
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Hair, Wig, and Makeup Design
Prop Management
Projection Design
Fight and Intimacy Director
Dialect Coach
Orchestrations
Music Contractor
Music Direction
Production Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Press.
MEDIA.
Rehearsal Photos
Production Photos
SPONSORS.
