The Roots’ Black Thought to Star in New Musical Black No More

The Roots’ Black Thought will star in a forthcoming Off Broadway musical titled Black No More, as The New York Times notes. The rapper, who was cast in the lead role, also composed music and wrote lyrics for the production. The script for Black No More was penned by 12 Years a Slave screenwriter John Ridley. Black No More will mark Black Thought’s theatrical debut.

Ridley adapted Black No More from George S. Schuyler’s 1931 novel of the same name. The story centers on a procedure that changes Black skin white, developed by the main character Dr. Junius Crookman (played by Black Thought). The musical will be directed by Scott Elliott and feature choreography from Bill T. Jones, with music supervision, orchestrations, and vocal arrangements by Daryl Waters.

The play was initially scheduled to premiere in October 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now run from January 11 to February 27, 2022 at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Opening night will fall on February 8.