Photo Coverage: Meet the Cast of Playwrights Horizons' BELLA

Playwrights Horizons will soon present BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE, the co-world premiere of a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Obie Award winner Kirsten Childs (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin at Playwrights, Miracle Brothers).

Directed by two-time Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy at Playwrights, Barbecue, In the Continuum, The Brother/Sister Plays) with choreography by Camille A. Brown (The Fortress of Solitude), the musical will be the sixth and final production of the theater company's 2016/2017 Season.

BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE was commissioned, developed and produced through the Playwrights Horizons Musicals in Partnership Initiative, with leadership support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This co-world premiere production had an initial run at Dallas Theater Center last fall.

The production will begin previews Friday, May 19 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Monday, June 12 at 7PM at the company's Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). The limited engagement is currently scheduled to play through Sunday, July 2.

All aboard for a Western musical adventure the likes of which you've never experienced. As a wanted woman of mythic proportions looks to begin life anew out west, Bella (Ms. Kelley) takes us on the trip of a lifetime to escape her scandalous past and bounce into the arms of her awaiting Buffalo Soldier (Mr. Smith). Rowdy, wild, and hilarious, Kirsten Childs infuses this tall tale with soulful tunes and madcap antics aplenty. Giddy-up to our get-down!

Photo Credit: Jessica Fallon Gordon

Britton Smith, Ashley D. Kelley and Brandon Gill

Marinda Anderson, Kenita R. Miller, Ashley D. Kelley and NaTasha Yvette Williams
Jo’Nathan Michael and Gabrielle Reyes
Yurel Echezarreta and Olli Haaskivi
Kenita R. Miller and Paolo Montalban
Paolo Montalban, Yurel Echezarreta, Kevin Massey and Olli Haaskivi
The company
The company and creative team
Robert O’Hara and Kirsten Childs
Robert O’Hara, Kirsten Childs and Camille A. Brown
Leslie Marcus, Robert O’Hara, Kirsten Childs, Camille A. Brown and Tim Sanford
Robert O’Hara, Ashley D. Kelley, Kirsten Childs and Camille A. Brown
Ashley D. Kelley and Kirsten Childs