A new musical with music and lyrics by “Chandelier” performer Sia is planned for fall 2025 at the prestigious Off Broadway venue New York Theatre Workshop.
The musical, titled Saturday Church, will feature a book co-written by James Ijames (Fat Ham) and will be directed by Whitney White (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding).
The cast of Saturday Church will include The Voice 2025 Contender Bryson Battle, Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot), Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango (Paradise Square), and Golden Globe Award winner Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose).
With a book by Ijames and Damon Cardasis, music and lyrics by Sia and additional music by Honey Dijon (Black Girl Magic) and additional lyrics by Cardasis & Ijames, Saturday Church will be choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie (Fat Ham). The musical was conceived for the stage and based on the 2017 Spring Pictures film written and directed by Cardasis.
The synopsis: “Saturday Church tells the story of Ulysses – New York City kid, devoted son and the fiercest acolyte at his aunt’s church. A chance encounter on the subway introduces him to the world of Saturday Church, a thrilling sanctuary for LGBTQ+ youth. Caught between these two worlds, Ulysses wrestles with family, faith and identity as he strives to find the place where he can love and be loved – in all his fabulousness. This new musical captures the exhilaration of the ballroom scene and the profound power of faith, with a score that soars from the transcendence of gospel to the liberating vibrations of house music. Saturday Church boldly asks, ‘is faith only for the Holy?’ and, more importantly, ‘are there any queens in the house?!!!!’”
Saturday Church will feature music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Special Tony Award Recipient Jason Michael Webb (MJ The Musical) and Grammy Award winner Luke Solomon (Beyonce’s Renaissance).
Saturday Church will feature scenic design by David Zinn (Stereophonic), costume design by Qween Jean (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), lighting design by Adam Honoré (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), and sound design by Gareth Owen (Hell’s Kitchen). Music direction is by Deah Love Harriot (for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf), with music production by Grammy Award winner Chris Penny (Beyonce’s Renaissance).
Saturday Church is produced by special arrangement with Tim Levy and Cindy Tolan.
NYTW’s 2025-2026 season will continue with the world premiere of a new version of Molière’s classic comedy Tartuffe by Tony Award nominee Lucas Hnath (A Doll’s House, Part 2, Dana H.), directed Sarah Benson (Fairview).
In Winter 2026, NYTW will present the world premiere of the new musical My Joy Is Heavy by Obie Award winners The Bengsons (Hundred Days), directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and choreographed by Steph Paul (How to Defend Yourself). The musical is described as “a deeply personal portrait of a young family yearning for connection amidst the loss of a pregnancy in rural isolation. Surrounded by snow and wrapped in loneliness, they uncover the unexpected joys and humor that can emerge in the wake of loss.”
A fourth offering for spring 2026 has yet to be announced.
“This season we are thrilled to give audacious artists the boldest possible canvas to debut world premiere productions,” said NYTW Artistic Director Patricia McGregor. “Whether it’s an exhilarating musical about queer youth, ballroom and the places we call home, a raucous reinvention of a classic comedy, or a deeply felt musical meditation on the depths of the human spirit during unspeakable moments, this season reflects who we are now while visioning pathways for who we can become.”
