The cast and creative team for the world premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS – the new musical by the legendary composer/lyricist team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, with book by David Thompson and to be directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman – have been announced by Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director of Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.), where the musical will begin previews February 12, 2010 prior to its official opening night on March 10.

The 13-member cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will feature two-time Tony winner John Cullum, Colman Domingo, Brandon Victor Dixon, Sean Bradford, Josh Breckenridge, Derrick Cobey, Rodney Hicks, Kendrick Jones, Forrest McClendon, Julius Thomas III, Sharon Washington, Cody Ryan Wise and Christian White.

Also announced is the creative team for the musical, which will have set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Kevin Adams and sound design by Peter Hylenski.  David Loud is music director; orchestrations are by Larry Hochman.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS explores the infamous “Scottsboro” case of the 1930’s, in which a group of African American teenagers were unjustly accused of attacking two white women — and the boys’ attempts to prove their innocence.  The musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is a stirring and provocative new work depicting one of the most important and notorious chapters in the history of the American Civil Rights movement.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS reunites Vineyard Theatre with John Kander, David Thompson and Susan Stroman — who along with the late Fred Ebb — previously collaborated on The Vineyard’s revival of FLORA, THE RED MENACE in 1987.

In his long, illustrious career, John Cullum has received Tony Awards for his performances in the musicals ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and SHENANDOAH, and Tony nominations for the musicals ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, URINETOWN and 110 IN THE SHADE.  He most recently appeared on Broadway in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.

Colman Domingo has appeared on Broadway in WELL and PASSING STRANGE, and earlier this season debuted his acclaimed solo play A BOY AND HIS SOUL at Vineyard Theatre.  Brandon Victor Dixon received a Tony nomination for his role as Harpo in THE COLOR PURPLE, and is currently appearing as the title character in RAY CHARLES LIVE! at Pasadena Playhouse.

Sean Bradford has appeared on Broadway in THE LION KING; John Breckenridge was featured in the cast of THE RITZ on Broadway; Rodney Hicks’ credits include JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and RENT on Broadway; Derrick Cobey appeared in this season’s new musical TIN PAN ALLEY RAG Off-Broadway; and Kendrick Jones is an actor and dancer who has performed nationally with the dance troupe Tap City.

Forrest McClendon appeared at the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia in DREAMGIRLS; Julius Thomas III appeared in 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE in Chicago; Sharon Washington has performed in numerous productions at the Public Theater, including RICHARD III, CYMBELINE and CORIOLANUS; Christian White appeared at City Center Encores! in THE WIZ; and Cody Ryan Wise appeared at City Center Encores! in DAMN YANKEES and in the national tour of THE LION KING.

Beowulf Boritt has designed the Broadway productions of ROCK OF AGES, LOVEMUSIK and 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.  Toni-Leslie James designed Vineyard Theatre’s productions of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s WIG OUT! and Mr. Domingo’s A BOY AND HIS SOUL; her numerous Broadway credits include FINIAN’S RAINBOW, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, ANGELS IN AMERICA and JELLY’S LAST JAM.

Kevin Adams won Tony Awards for his lighting designs for THE 39 STEPS and SPRING AWAKENING; at The Vineyard designs include MARY ROSE, THE FOURTH SISTER and BRUTAL IMAGINATION. Peter Hylenski’s Broadway designs include ROCK OF AGES, SHREK and SWEET CHARITY.

David Loud has served as musical director for CURTAINS, A CLASS ACT and STEEL PIER on Broadway.  Larry Hochman’s Broadway credits include SPAMALOT, THE LITTLE MERMAID and A CLASS ACT.

The legendary collaboration of John Kander and Fred Ebb over four decades resulted in some of the most beloved and enduring musicals in theatre history:  from FLORA, THE RED MENACE to CABARET (Tony Award); ZORBA, CHICAGO and WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Tony Award); to KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award), CURTAINS, THE VISIT and ALL ABOUT US.

David Thompson is a Tony Award nominee for Best Book of a Musical for STEEL PIER.   His other credits include the script adaptation for CHICAGO and the musical THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND, a musical revue of the songs of Kander and Ebb (New York Drama Desk and Outer Critics Awards). In addition, he has written new librettos for the revival of FLORA, THE RED MENACE and Jerry Herman’s DEAR WORLD.

Susan Stroman won two Tony Awards as director and choreographer of THE PRODUCERS. She co-created, directed and choreographed CONTACT for Lincoln Center Theater (Tony Award, Best Choreography). Other Broadway credits include YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HAPPINESS, OKLAHOMA!, THE MUSIC MAN, STEEL PIER, SHOW BOAT, (Tony Award) and CRAZY FOR YOU (Tony Award). Off-Broadway productions include AND THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND and FLORA, THE RED MENACE at The Vineyard.

Vineyard Theatre is the recipient of the Tony Award for the musical AVENUE Q and continues as producer of the musical’s current production at New World Stages in New York.  The Vineyard has also produced the musical [title of show] on Broadway. One of the nation’s leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, The Vineyard has produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee’s THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel’s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE.  The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works and developed innovative educational collaborations. Recent productions include Tarell Alvin McCraney’s acclaimed WIG OUT!. The Vineyard opened its 2009-2010 season with the enormously popular play A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, which The Vineyard recently announced is expected to receive a commercial Off-Broadway production later this season. This spring, The Vineyard will produce the world premiere of Adam Rapp’s THE METAL CHILDREN and the new musical THE BURNT PART BOYS by Mariana Elder, Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller, directed by Joe Colarco, in co-production with Playwrights Horizons.

Vineyard Theatre is under the guidance of Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director, and Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, Executive Director.

For information about Vineyard Theatre, call 212-353-0303 or visit www.vineyardtheatre.org