Casting Complete for World Premeire of Musical Play About Roland Hayes

Tom Frey

Actor-pianist Tom Frey joins the cast in Hartford Stage's World Premiere of Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes, directed by Darko Tresnjak, on stage from Jan.11 -Feb. 3.

Jubilant Sykes (Sacred Music USA's Vocalist of the Year) will portray Roland Hayes, while Kecia Lewis-Evans (Broadway's Leap of Faith)will portray Roland Hayes' mother, Angel Mo. Frey completes the cast as The Accompanist/Officer/Pa/Preacher/Mr. Calhoun/Miss Robinson/ Frenchman/King George V. 

Frey has been involved with the touring musical production, 2 Pianos/4 Hands, for more than 10 years and has performed it more than 750 times, including a performance here at Hartford Stage. His other credits include Ancestral Voices, Arms and the Man, Admirable Crichton, 39 Steps, Dirty Blonde, Souvenir, Woman in Black, Free Man of Color, Anything Goes, Billy Bishop Goes to War, and A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. 

Before Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson, there was Roland Hayes - the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist. Born the son of a slave, Roland discovered his voice as a young boy singing spirituals in church. Breath & Imagination - The Story of Roland Hayes, chronicles his amazing journey from a plantation in Georgia, to singing before kings and queens in Europe.

The production also features set design by David P. Gordon; costume design by Fabio Toblini; lighting design by York Kennedy; music direction by Mike Ruckles; and sound design by Jane Shaw.

Tickets: 860-527-5151; www.hartfordstage.org.