Performances will take place September 13-23 at TBG Theater (312 West 36th Street).

Kingdom chronicles the story of Andres and Juan, two kids from the barrio who quit their dead-end jobs and join well-known underground empowerment organization the Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation in search of honor and respect. When tragedy rocks the group, struggle for leadership of the Nation tears the two friends apart with devastating results.

The seven-member cast features Marisa Echeverría (Points of Departure), Michael Improta, Ronny Mercedes (Captain Louie), Andres Munar (Acts of Mercy: passion-play), Flaco Navaja (Russel Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam), Gio Perez and Gerardo Rodriguez.

The muscial was inspired by the real-life stories of current and former members of the Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation in New Haven and New York City. It received developmental readings at the Public Theater’s New Work Now! Series and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Its hip-hop/rock/Latin score has music by Ian Williams and words by Aaron Jafferis. Both writers are graduates of New York University’s MFA Musical Theatre Writing program. Ian Williams has composed Story of an African Farm and SkidZoeFranNya. Aaron Jafferis has performed his hip hop poetry at Madison Square Garden, the Kennedy Center, and the National Poetry Slam Championships, where he was the 1997 Open Rap Slam champion. His solo hip hop play No Lie has been seen at Long Wharf Theatre, H.E.R.E., the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, the Nuyorican Poet's Café, and at colleges and high schools around the country.

Louis Moreno (Associate Artistic Director of INTAR Theatre) will direct. The design team features Arnulfo Maldonado (Set / Costume design), Cat Tate (Lighting design) and Ezekial Kendrick (Sound design). Tom Berger will musical direct. Others on the creative and production team include Liam Torres (Assistant Director), Michael Alifanz (Production Stage Manager), Branden Huldeen (Producing Associate / Technical Director), Blackbyrd Entertainment - Bryan Byrd & Bridget Stegall (General Manager), and Jodi Collins (Casting).

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