A LITTLE LIGHT Musical To Be Presented This Pride Month At Apollo Theater

West End Church will present a staged reading of A LITTLE LIGHT, a new musical with book, music, and lyrics by Derrick Byars, this June as part of Apollo Works in Process at Apollo Theater.

Set in a small Southern town, A LITTLE LIGHT follows Jordan, a Black queer teenager navigating faith, family, and identity while imagining himself as the romantic lead of his own story. The musical blends gospel traditions, jazz, contemporary musical theater, and romantic comedy influences as Jordan begins a relationship with Michael, a returning college student caring for his ill mother.

The work explores themes of repression, self-acceptance, chosen family, and queer identity within a strict church community. According to the production, the musical centers Black queer characters as “the heroes of their own love stories.”

The staged reading will be directed by Derrick Byars, who currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at West End Church. His previous work includes The Hula-Hoopin' Queen, which was presented earlier this year by New York City Children's Theater at Theatre Row.

Music direction will be by Patrick B. Phillips, currently associate conductor of The Wiz national tour. His Broadway credits also include Sweeney Todd, A Strange Loop, and Jagged Little Pill.