The Ballad of Klook and Vinette
by Zach Theatre
Apr. 24 - May. 26, 2019
Wednesdays-Sundays
ZACH Theatre stages the Texas premiere of the soulful musical love story The Ballad of Klook and Vinetter April 24 – May 26, 2019 at The Kleberg Stage. After making a triumphant American premiere last year at the Horizon Theatre, Musical Director Christian Magby will join this production with direction by ZACH’s Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley. The Ballad of Klook and Vinette has a Book by Ché Walker with Music and Lyrics by Anoushka Lucas and Omar Lyefook.
Steakley explains why bringing The Ballad of Klook and Vinette to Austin is special to him. “The form of this musical is as revolutionary as Hamilton and I'm interested in work that moves the art form forward to respond to a contemporary audience. Rodgers and Hammerstein responded to the popular music of their day, just as composers Anoushka Lucas and Omar Lye Fook are responding as African American recording artists and composers in 2019 to this moment. The work is exciting and innovative, and it is a perfect vehicle for ZACH stars CHANEL (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill) and Roderick Sanford (A Christmas Carol), two of the greatest singers in Austin, who have a long history of thrilling audiences on our stages.”
Tender, funny, and incredibly moving, this contemporary new love story will grab you from the inside out. Klook and Vinette are two lost souls trying to find themselves in one another. Against all odds and with the past at their heels, together they make a tentative stab at happiness. Staged in the intimate Kleberg at ZACH Theatre, this is a seductive premiere musical about inevitability and the thrill of falling in love. Infused with lyrical prose, Jazz, Blues, and Soul, The Ballad of Klook and Vinette is a mesmerizing theatrical experience you won’t want to miss.
Directed by DAVE STEAKLEY, the production team also includes CHRISTIAN MAGBY as Music Director, CHRISTA OLIVER as Choreographer, SCOTT GROH as Scenic and Properties Designer, CARLA NICKERSON as Costume Designer, RACHEL ATKINSON as Lighting Designer, and CRAIG BROCK as Sound Designer. Additional production team to be announced.
Age recommendation: Thirteen and up for strong language and sexual content.
KMFA is Supporting Sponsor of The Ballad of Klook and Vinette.
CAST
CHANEL – Vinette
Roderick Sanford – Klook
PRODUCTION TEAM
Dave Steakley – Director
Christian Magby – Music Director
Christa Oliver – Choreographer
Scott Groh – Scenic and Properties Designer
Carla Nickerson – Costume Designer
Rachel Atkinson – Lighting Designer
Craig Brock – Sound Designer
Feature by Zach Theatre: Q&A with music director Christian Magby, Austin360.com
The Ballad of Klook and Vinette
by Book by Ché Walker, Music and lyrics by Anoushka Lucas and Omar Lyefook
Zach Theatre
April 24 - May 26, 2019
Special Events in Celebration of The Ballad of Klook and Vinette:
- Pride Night – Thursday, April 25, 2019
- Wednesday Post-Show Discussion – Wednesday, May 1, 2019
- ASL Interpreted, Open Captioned, and Audio Described – Wednesday, May 1, 2019
- Champagne Opening – Thursday, May 2, 2019
Tickets start at $25 and are available online at zachtheatre.org, by phone at 512-476-0541, or in person at the ZACH Theatre Box Office, in the Topfer Theatre, 202 South Lamar Boulevard (corner of Riverside Drive and South Lamar) Monday through Saturday, 12–5p.m. ZACH Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Student Rush Tickets are $20 one hour before show time (with valid ID). A limited number of Pay–What–You–Will tickets are available the day–of for Mainstage preview performances only. Groups of 8 or more may request reservations by calling 512-476-0594 x.245 or by emailing groupsales@zachtheatre.org.
