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We are excited to welcome you back to The Delacorte Theater for our 60th Anniversary Season of Free Shakespeare in the Park. We ask that you read and understand the following when accessing tickets.

  • Effective April 19, 2022, The Public requires proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination to enter The Delacorte and attend performances. This policy will continue until further notice.
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Goddess

GODDESS

Newman April 29 - June 1, 2025

New York Premiere

GODDESS
Conceived by Saheem Ali 
Music and Lyrics by Michael Thurber
Book by Jocelyn Bioh 
Choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie 
Directed by Saheem Ali  

The critically acclaimed team behind the 2021 Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Merry Wives returns to The Public with the New York premiere of a new musical conceived and directed by Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director Saheem Ali, featuring music and lyrics by Michael Thurber, book by Tony Award nominee Jocelyn Bioh, and choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie. A mysterious singer arrives at Moto Moto, a steamy Afro-jazz club in Mombasa, Kenya. She casts an entrancing spell on everyone, including a young man who has returned home from studying in America. Will the big plans for his life—stepping into a political legacy and marrying his fiancée—be upended? Inspired by the myth of Marimba, the Goddess who created beautiful songs from her heartbreak, this is a rousing tale of romance, the supernatural, and the quest towards one’s truest self. 

CALENDAR.

S M T W T F S
27
28
29
7:00 PM Joseph Papp Free Performance 
30
7:00 PM
1
2
3
S M T W T F S
1
1:00 PM Audio Described 
7:00 PM
2
3
4
5
6
7
Tickets Available
Tickets Not Available

Tickets

Tickets are $113* 
Public Supporter and Partner tickets are $93

*The listed ticket price includes a $10 per ticket service fee. When purchasing at the Taub Box Office, the service fee is waived. Fee is waived for Public Theater Supporters & Partners tickets.

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Accessible Performances
  • Sunday, May 25, 1:00PM: Mask Required Performance
  • Friday, May 30, 7:00PM: Open Captioned Performance
  • Saturday, May 31, 1:00PM: American Sign Language Interpreted Performance
  • Sunday, June 1, 1:00PM: Audio Described Performance

Learn more about Accessibility Services for People with Disabilities. If you have additional questions, need assistance or an accommodation, please feel free to speak to a member of our staff at any point during your visit or contact us at [email protected].

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PRODUCTION DETAILS.

Content and Production Effect Warning

Production effects and content sensitivities vary from person to person, and we encourage you to contact us ([email protected] or 212.967.7555) if you have questions about any production. 

Audience members are invited to explore the Social Narrative Guide. This resource is designed to assist audiences in preparing for their visit to our theater and the upcoming performance.

Cast.

Image of Nick Rashad Burroughs

Nick Rashad Burroughs

Ahmed

NICK RASHAD BURROUGHS (Ahmed). Broadway credits include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Ike Turner, OBC), Kinky Boots, and King Kong. First National Tour and regional credits include Moulin Rouge! (Toulouse Lautrec), Something Rotten (Shakespeare understudy, Minstrel), and Dreamgirls MUNY (James Thunder Early). Pop Smash Radio Music Award Winner for his album Groove Machine. Broadway World Award winner for Jesus Christ Superstar (as Judas). @nickrburroughs

Image of Melessie Clark

Melessie Clark

Mosi

MELESSIE CLARK (Mosi) is thrilled to make her Public Theater debut! Clark has previously performed Off-Broadway in A Sign of the Times. Regional credits include The Preacher’s Wife; Once on This Island; Into the Woods; Grease; The Color Purple; Gypsy; Little Shop of Horrors; School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play; Two Trains Running; and A Moon for the Misbegotten. TV/Film credits include “Archive 81” and Anything’s Possible. Clark is a Broadway World Awards winner and an alum of Point Park University. To God be the glory! @melessieclark

Image of Amber Iman

Amber Iman

Nadira

AMBER IMAN she/her (Nadira) Broadway credits include Lempicka (Tony and Drama League nominations), Soul Doctor, Shuffle Along. Off-Broadway credits include The Ford/Hill Project and Rent. Iman was in the national tour of Hamilton. Regional credits include Goddess (Berkeley Rep), Hippest Trip (A.C.T.), Little Shop of Horrors (Kennedy Center). Film credits include Steve and Blackberry Winter. Iman was featured in “High Maintenance” (HBO). She is the co-founder of Broadway Advocacy Coalition (Tony Award) and Black Women on Broadway. Iman is an alum of Howard University. @amberiman_ 

Image of Arica Jackson

Arica Jackson

Rashida

ARICA JACKSON she/her (Rashida) is making her Public Debut! Broadway credits include The Book of Mormon; Caroline, or Change; Waitress; and Head Over Heels. Jackson performed Off-Broadway in East O’ West O’ (Ars Nova), and in the national tour of Waitress. Regional credits include Grace (Ford’s Theatre) and Trading Places (Alliance Theatre). Jackson was featured in This is Not a Love Letter and “Evil.” Jackson graduated from Carnegie Mellon University Drama in 2017. IG: @aaygirl1947

Image of J Paul Nicholas

J Paul Nicholas

Hassan

J PAUL NICHOLAS he/him (Hassan) is making his Public Theater debut. Off-Broadway credits include Chekhov/Tolstoy: Love Stories; Blood and Gifts; Rosmersholm. Nicholas performed in the national tour of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. Regional credits include 24 shows at 20 theaters. TV: credits include “FBI” (recurring); “Blue Bloods;” “Mare of Easttown;” “Law & Order: SVU;” (recurring); “Deception;” “The Leftovers;” “Law & Order;” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”. Nicholas has received two Barrymore awards. He has an MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre Academy. Website: JPaulNicholas.com

Image of Isio-Maya Nuwere

Isio-Maya Nuwere

Ensemble

ISIO-MAYA NUWERE (Ensemble). Hailing from Queens, NY, with Nigerian roots, Nuwere is elated to be back in Mombasa with her Goddess family. Formerly in The Lion King on Broadway with credits ranging from various avenues of arts and entertainment, Nuwere is forever thankful to God, Family, and Friends for their unwavering support. @Isio.Maya. www.isiomaya.com

Image of Teshomech Olenja

Teshomech Olenja

Tisa

TESHOMECH OLENJA she/her (Tisa). Olenja was in the national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Regional credits include Goddess (Berkeley Rep); The Bluest Eye; and Beehive. Olenja appeared in “Will Trent” (ABC). She is beyond grateful to be joining the Goddess cast once again! All thanks to God. @teshomech

Image of Destinee Rea

Destinee Rea

Cheche

DESTINEE REA (Cheche). A true spark, Rea has graced Broadway stages in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Amélie, and The Book of Mormon. Other credits include Ragtime (City Center) and Disney’s Hercules. Driven by a vision to elevate art and culture, Rea seeks to create work that inspires connection and empowers black women. @destineerea

Image of Awa Sal Secka

Awa Sal Secka

Zawadi

AWA SAL SECKA she/her (Zawadi). Regional credits include Ragtime (Sarah); Goddess (Zawadi); Gun and Powder (Flo); Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon); Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife); The Wiz (Glinda); School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Ama); Caroline, or Change; (Dottie); Intimate Apparel (Mayme); Aida (Aida); and Memphis (Felicia). Tour credits include Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (Bea). Concert credits include Rent (Joanne) and Children of Eden (Eve). Awards include a 2024 Helen Hayes Award Best Actor and a 2023 Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play. 

Image of Austin Scott

Austin Scott

Omari

AUSTIN SCOTT he/him (Omari) starred as Alexander Hamilton on Broadway and National Tour for two years, originated the role of Joe Scott in the Broadway production of Girl From the North Country, and was recently seen as William Shakespeare in & Juliet. Screen credits include “Clipped” (FX), Mr. Monk’s Last Case (Peacock), “Sistas” (BET), and A Jazzman’s Blues (Netflix).

Image of Quiantae Thomas

Quiantae Thomas

Ensemble

QUIANTAE THOMAS she/her (Ensemble) performed in the national tour of Hamilton (Ensemble). Regional credits include Goddess (Berkeley Rep), Hairspray (North Shore). Thomas has appeared on “Saturday Night Live!”  She holds a BFA in Dance from Alabama State University. Thank you, God, for this journey! Love to my family, endless thanks to my mother for always being my #1 supporter, and to my husband--thank you for everything! Peace. @ambitiousquiantae

Image of Wade Watson

Wade Watson

Ensemble

WADE WATSON he/him (Ensemble) is a New York City native. Credits include Classic Theatre of Harlem productions of Macbeth and The Three Musketeers. Watson was featured in the hit show “Pose” on FX, as well as the hit show “Dickinson” on Apple TV, to name a few. Dance has taken him to Accra and Cape Coast, Ghana, and recently Cali, Colombia.

Image of Reggie D. White

Reggie D. White

Balozi

REGGIE D. WHITE he/him (Balozi) was the Associate Director on Buzzer at The Public. White also performed on Broadway in The Inheritance. Off-Broadway credits include Lessons in Survival: 1971 (Vineyard), Hundred Days (NYTW), and I and You (59E59). Regional credits include Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland (People's Light), Macbeth in Stride (A.R.T.), and The Luckiest (La Jolla Playhouse). Directing credits include Atlantic Theater Company and Indiana Rep. White is the playwright of Fremont Ave. White has appeared in “Gotham” and “Blindspot.” Awards include the Colman Domingo Award, TBA Titan Award, and a NAACP nomination. www.reggiedwhite.com

Creative.

Saheem Ali
Conceiver and Director
Jocelyn Bioh
Book
Darrell Grand Moultrie
Choreography
Michael Thurber
Music and Lyrics
Arnulfo Maldonado
Scenic Design
Dede Ayite
Costume Design
Bradley King
Lighting Design
Nevin Steinberg
Sound Design
Victoria Navarro
Production Stage Manager

SPONSORS.

Generous support for GODDESS is provided by The Otis Booth Foundation. Special thanks to the the Anna L. Weissberger Foundation.
Musical Theater Production at The Public receives support from The Mandy Hackett Musical Theater Fund.