A Strange Loop
by Deaf Austin Theatre
Aug. 29 - Sep. 14
Meet Usher: a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of a young artist grappling with desires, identity and instincts he both loves and loathes. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble. Bold and heartfelt in its truth-telling, A Strange Loop is the big, Black and queer-ass Great American Musical for all!
Casting includes Ronnie Bradley as Usher; Kai Clifton as Voice of Usher; Mervin Primeaux O’Bryant as Thought 1; Ellison K. as Thought 2: Gabriel Silva as Thought 3, u/s Usher: Damien DeShaun Smith as Thought 4; as Wade Green Thought 5; Jeremy Rashad Brown as Thought 6; and deaf swing Elbert Jones for Thoughts 1, 3 and 5 and hearing swing Nicholas Hunter for Thoughts 2, 4 and 6.
On this collaboration, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson said, “I am thrilled that Deaf Austin Theatre and Visionaries of the Creative Arts are collaborating to bring A Strange Loop to their audiences. Though A Strange Loop is told through Usher’s very specific lens, it has always been my intent that his story resonates universally throughout the human condition. I believe these two theaters will crack the piece open even further in a unique way that only they can do and for that reason, I enthusiastically support this co-production.”
Directed by Alexandria Wailes with Stanley Bahorek as Associate Director and Music Supervisor, A Strange Loop will be co-produced by DAT and VOCA with productions to be mounted in both Washington, D.C. and Austin, TX Summer 2025.
A Strange Loop features director of artistic sign language (DASL) by Kailyn Aaron-Lozano, music direction by Walter “Bobby” McCoy, choreography by Joey Antonio, set design by Jessica Trementozzi, costumes by Kenann Quander, lighting design by Helen Garcia-Anton, projection design by Julian Kelley, sound design byKevin Alexander, caption design by Andres Poch, and intimacy direction by Emily Sucher.
Originally produced Off-Broadway in 2019, A Strange Loop premiered on Broadway in April 2022 winning Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical at the 75th Tony Awards. A Strange Loop follows Usher a Black queer man writing a musical about a Black queer man writing a musical. The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is renowned for its raw, incisive humor and its deep dive into identity, self-perception, and artistic struggle.
“This collaborative partnership is a significant opportunity for us to elevate the representation and raise awareness of the talents of Black Deaf individuals in musical theater,” agreed VOCA Artistic Director Michelle Banks and DAT Artistic Director Dr. Brian Cheslik.
A Strange Loop
Written by Michael R. Jackson
Co-Produced with Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA)
Directed by Alexandria Wailes
Associate direction by Stanley Bahorek
A Strange Loop
by Michael R. Jackson
Deaf Austin Theatre
somewhere in Austin
to be announced
Austin, TX, 78700
July 23 – September 14, 2025 | Washington, DC & Austin, TX
DC Performance Dates: July 23rd through August 16th
Austin Performance Dates: August 29th through September 14th
