Natasha Yvette Williams Leads Staged Reading of New Afrofuturist Black Queer Musical

Breaking news to your phone. US mobile only. No password required.

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

West End / UK

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

Ctrl + K to open · Esc to close

The developmental reading will take place at Dorothy Maynor Hall at Harlem School of the Arts and will be followed by a conversation moderated by Patrick L. Riley.

Most Popular

Get all the top news & discounts for Off-Broadway & beyond. No password required.

THE LAST GATEKEEPER – an Afrofuturist, Black Queer musical theater work by Germono Toussaint – will be presented in a developmental staged reading on Monday, October 19 at 7:00 PM. The event will take place at Dorothy Maynor Hall at Harlem School of the Arts. The event is free, but reservations are required.

Get all the top news & discounts for Off-Broadway & beyond.

The cast will include Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee NaTasha Yvette Williams (Some Like it Hot, Chicago), Anastacia McCleskey , Terrance Lamont Johnson , Bryson Battle (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), and Zemy Burke. For information and reservations, please contact thelastgatekeepermusical@gmail.com .

The presentation will be followed by a conversation about the work's spiritual and cultural themes, its creative process, and the development of its immersive theatrical world. The panel will be moderated by Patrick L. Riley and feature Dr. John- Martin Green (Founder and Executive Director, The Gatekeepers Collective), and Antoine Craigwell (Founder, President and CEO, DBGM).

THE LAST GATEKEEPER features book, music and lyrics by Germono Toussaint . The show is directed by Kevin R. Free , with Patrick B. Philips serving as music director. The vocal arrangements are by Crystal Monee Hall . A.J. Muhammed serves as dramaturg, with Trisha Jeffrey as associate producer.

THE LAST GATEKEEPER is a musical theater experience combining music, projections, and performance to tell a story of ancestry, resistance, and liberation. Inspired by the teachings of West African Dagara scholars and spiritual leaders Malidoma and Sobonfu Somé, the musical draws upon the tradition of Gatekeepers, same-gender-loving/Queer spirit workers, community leaders and diviners who serve as sacred intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Through Soku, a spiritually gifted young Black Queer revolutionary, THE LAST GATEKEEPER explores the power of Black Queer people as visionaries, healers and leaders capable of restoring balance during times of chaos. Told through a West African-influenced cinematic score and theatrical projection design, this musical is a prayer, a reckoning, a warning and a prophecy.

Nominate your favorite local productions and performers before the deadline on October 31, 2026.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Extends At The Public Through Early December

Video: Sophia Anne Caruso Performs Duncan Sheik’s 'Immured' From MEMOIRS OF AMOROUS GENTLEMEN

THE BLUE VIOLINIST OVER WEST END AVENUE Cast Set for World Premiere

Titus Welliver Joins EPSTEIN ORATORIO at La MaMa

Also text me

When are you seeing ?

Get an Alert Each Time Chloe Rabinowitz Writes

BroadwayWorld TV

Breaking Broadway news and show discounts. No password required.

Breaking Broadway news on your phone. US mobile numbers only.

POPULAR

Sign up for announcements and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 — Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

Episode

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Natasha-Yvette-Williams-to-Star-in-THE-LAST-GATEKEEPER-Staged-Reading-20260929)._