Jennifer Damiano, Claybourne Elder, Leslie Odom, Jr. & More Lead Public Theater's VENICE; Performances Begin Today

The Public Theater's new Public Lab musical Venice, with book by Eric Rosen, music by Matt Sax, lyrics by Matt Sax and Eric Rosen, and additional music by Curtis Moore begins performances today. Directed by Eric Rosen, Venice will run in The Public's Anspacher Theater beginning on Tuesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 23, with an official press opening on Thursday, June 13.

Single tickets, priced at $15 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater at Astor Place at 425 Lafayette Street. The Library at The Public will also be open nightly for food and drink, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and Joe's Pub will continue to offer some of the best music in the city.

The cast of Venice includes Uzo Aduba (Anna Monroe), Jennifer Damiano (Willow Turner), Jonathan-David (Theodore Westbrook), Claybourne Elder (Michael Victor), Leslie Odom, Jr. (Markos Monroe), Victoria Platt (Emilia Monroe), Angela Polk (Hailey Daisy), Matt Sax (Clown), and Haaz Sleiman (Venice Monroe).

An electrifying new musical, Venice will ignite the stage with a fusion of musical styles from hip-hop and rock to soaring anthems of love and hope, tracing a young man's rise as he fights for what's right against a backdrop of deceit and sibling betrayal. Part epic romance, part political tale, Venice will transport you to a fallen city in the not-so-distant future where revolution is in the air, political structures are crumbling, and only the children of the city's fallen heroes can change the course of history.

VENICE features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt; costume design by Clint Ramos; lighting design by Jason Lyons; sound design by ACME Sound Partners; projection design by Jason H. Thompson; musical direction by Jim Abbott; and choreography by Chase Brock.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos