MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL Begins Off-Broadway Tonight

AnthonyKen LLC and Sheryl Lee Ralph/The Diva Foundation present the Off-Broadway premiere of MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL, the new musical that celebrates the life of the original 1970s "Queen of Disco" Sylvester, featuring classic songs such as "(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real," "Dance (Disco Heat)," "Do Ya Wanna Funk," and "You Are My Friend." MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL stars Anthony Wayne (Pippin, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Sylvester. MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL has a book by Anthony Wayne, direction by Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman, choreography by Anastacia McCleskey, and musical direction by Alonzo Harris. Previews begin Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 W. 46th Street) on Friday, September 5, 2014. The limited-engagement is scheduled through Sunday, October 5th. The Press Opening is Sunday, September 14th at 7PM. Tickets, which are priced from $25 - $84.50, are on sale now by calling (866) 811-4111 or by visiting www.FabulousSylvester.com.

After previous sold-out runs in New York, Miami and Washington D.C., MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL makes its Off-Broadway premiere. MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL tells the life story of the "Queen of Disco," Sylvester, through his music and his point of view. Beyond all the trials and tribulations of his life - and the glitz and glamour of his lifestyle -- Sylvester was not only a symbol for being Fabulous, but also a pioneer in the LGBTQ community for showing, unapologetically, you have to be true to who you are. MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL allows Sylvester's classic songs to enter your ears, soar through your heart, and inspire your soul.

Joining Mr. Wayne in the cast of MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL are Anastacia McCleskey (Violet, The Book of Mormon) as Izora and Jacqueline B. Arnold (We Will Rock You, Priscilla Queen of the Dessert) as Martha - a.k.a the Weather Girls (Two Tons of Fun).

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL has a set and lighting design by two-time Tony-nominee David Lander (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, 33 Variations), costume design by Kendrell Bowman, and sound design by Rafe Carlotto / Sound Associates. The General Manager is Edmund Gaynes. Katrina Olson is the Production Stage Manager.

Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947 - December 16, 1988), better known as Sylvester, was an American disco and soul singer-songwriter. Known for his flamboyant, androgynous appearance, he became known in the United States as the "Queen of Disco." Born in Watts, LA, Sylvester developed a love of singing through the gospel choirs of his Pentecostal church, which he left after being persecuted for his homosexuality. His career started as an early founder of a group of black cross-dressers and trans women known as The Disquotays. After that group disbanded, he moved to San Francisco and embraced the counterculture, joining a drag troupe, The Cockettes, and he eventually produced solo shows heavily influenced by female blues and jazz singers like Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker. Sylvester left the Cockettes to focus on his solo career, and by 1978, his acclaimed album Step II spawned the disco classics "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat)." He released 12 albums in his career, and had several more hits, including "Do Ya Wanna Funk," and "Can't Stop Dancing." An activist who campaigned against the spread of HIV/AIDS, Sylvester died from complications arising from the virus in 1988. In 2004, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and one year later in 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.

Anthony Wayne (Sylvester, Book, Co-Director). Broadway: the Tony Award winning revivals of Pippin and Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He has toured the world in such shows as The Color Purple and Fame - The Musical. Inspired by Sylvester's courage and strength, Anthony created MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL to inspire people of all ages to live their dreams to the fullest no matter the adversity.

Kendrell Bowman (Co-Director, Costume Design) is a celebrity fashion stylist whose company I AM KENDRELL has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Dawn Richard, K. Michelle, Lauriana Mae, David Banner, and Ashanti. Born in Charleston, SC, Kendrell graduated from the American Musical and Dramatics Academy in NYC. His background in fashion includes managing fashion houses for Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga.

Sheryl Lee Ralph / The Diva Foundation (Producing Partner). With continued success on stage, screen, television and music -- along with her philanthropic endeavors -- Sheryl Lee Ralph has never been one to rest on her laurels. Her award-winning work includes creating the role of Deena Jones in the legendary Broadway musical Dreamgirls, earning Best Actress nominations for Tony and Drama Desk Awards. She returned to Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie, portraying the sassy chanteuse Muzzy Van Hossmere. Miss Ralph can currently be seen on TV in Showtime's "Ray Donovan," as well as Nickelodeon's "Instant Mom" with Tia Mowry. The D.I.V.A. Foundation (Divinely Inspired Victoriously AIDS Aware) is a national not-for-profit 501C (3) charitable organization founded by Ms. Ralph in 1990 as a memorial to the many friends she lost to AIDS as an original company member of Dreamgirls. The organization focuses on generating resources and coordinating artistic activities to create awareness of and to combat HIV/AIDS. The D.I.V.A. Foundation utilizes music and entertainment as a vehicle to inform, educate and erase the stigma attached to this deadly disease.

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL will play a limited Off-Broadway engagement at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 W. 46th Street) from Friday, September 5th through Sunday, October 5th. The Press Opening is Sunday, September 14th at 7PM.

The regular performance schedule is Tuesdays through Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM and 8PM, and Sundays at 7PM.

*For the week beginning Sunday, September 7th: No performance on Sunday, September 7, and added performances on Monday, September 8th at 8 PM and Wednesday, September 10th at 2 PM.

Tickets for MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL are priced from $25 - $84.50, are on sale now by calling (866) 811-4111 or by visiting www.FabulousSylvester.com.

Photo Credit: Nathan Johnson