Tina Landau (Bells Are Ringing, Floyd Collins) directs the work to open at the Off-Broadway stage Sept. 18.
Vineyard's first Kitty Carlisle Hart Musical Theatre Lab commission, penned by Kirsten Childs (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin), is set in 17th century Brazil, where two brothers — one black, one white — escape their plantation life and head out on a string of adventures. The score and choreography is "Brazilian inspired" (the show will feature "authentic Brazilian instrumentation" and capoiera, "the traditional, uniquely Brazilian fusion of dance and self-defense").
Kerry Butler (Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray), Cheryl Freeman (The Who's Tommy), Tyler Maynard (Altar Boyz) and Anika Larsen (All Shook Up) will lead the 12-member cast that will also feature Devin Richards (Wonderful Town), Darrell Moultrie (Aida) and Karen Olivo (Brooklyn). The remainder of cast is to be announced.
Landau — last seen at the Vineyard when she directed Dream True — is joined in the creative team by choreographer Mark Dendy (The Wild Party, Taboo). Orchestrations are by Daryl Waters (Bring in 'Da Noise Bring in 'Da Funk) with musical direction by Fred Carl (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin).
The design team for Miracle Brothers features G.W. Mercier (scenic), Anita Yavich (costumes), Scott Zielinksi (lighting), Brett Jarvis (sound) and Jan Hartley (projection). An August 2004 private reading of the musical featured a cast of Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kerry O'Malley, Robert Jason Jackson, William Youmans, Marva Hicks, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Anika Larsen, Tommar Wilson, Michael X. Martin, Michael Benjamin Washington, Nandi Walker and Stephanie Bast.
Tickets to Miracle Brothers at the Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15 St. can be reserved by calling (212) 353-0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.