Darius de Haas will play Hughes (1902-1967), known for his poetry, lyrics, novels, essays and plays. Hughes' poem, "Harlem," includes the famous line, "What happens to a dream deferred?/Does it dry up/Like a raisin in the sun?" Said to be unique and somewhat expressionistic, the theatrical musical portrait charts Hughes' life in the Harlem Renaissance, shedding light on all aspects of his experience.

The lyrics are by the late Hughes (Street Scene, Black Nativity, Tambourines to Glory), with music by Marks (who penned the scores of Broadway's Bajour and Golden Rainbow). The show's book is credited to director Kent Gash, Hughes and Marks.

Gash is the associate artistic director of the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.

Langston in Harlem has been in development for several years, and an excerpt from it was seen in the 2003 Festival of New Musicals sponsored by the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

The Feb. 7-8 presentations reflect the latest draft of the project. Musical direction and arrangements are by Ethan Popp. Byron Easley is the choreographer.

The reading cast includes Tony Award winner Adriane Lenox, Aisha de Haas, Alan H. Green, Alexis Sims, Billy Porter. Daniel J. Watts. Dell Howlett. Everett Bradley. Francesca Harper, J.D. Goldblatt, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Stacey Sargeant and Stanley Wayne Mathis.

For information about Langston in Harlem, e-mail [email protected].