Just in time for the holiday season and observances related to World AIDS Day, a musical based on one of the most celebrated literary franchises to emerge from an African American fiction writer is poised to come to Washington, D.C.
Based on the work of E. Lynn Harris, “Behind the Mask: Invisible Life (The Musical),” running for two days at the Howard Theatre, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, comes on the heels of the world premiere in New York City at the Apollo Theatre, and a run in Los Angeles.
In 1991, Harris took the world by storm after self-publishing his debut novel, “Invisible Life,” and subsequently delivering 12 consecutive New York Times bestsellers that gave millions of readers their first mainstream glimpse of Black gay love.
More than three decades later, the team behind the musical — which includes producers Proteus X and Javon Johnson, who also adapted the novel for the stage, along with choreographer Otis Sallid — say the messages gleaned from Harris’ work are still important today.
“During the days when E. Lynn was writing, it was the early stages of the HIV epidemic and the focus was on men – Black and White men,” Proteus X told The Informer. “But today the issue is about straight Black women who have since become the most affected by HIV. So, it’s important to get the message out.”
Johnson said he hopes those who see the musical, particularly those with limited knowledge about Harris’s canon of works, will be moved to become more familiar with his stories.
“While we couldn’t put the hundreds of pages he wrote in one play, we’ve been careful to honor the integrity of his characters and believe the play will trigger people to read more,” Johnson said. “Audiences will discover that they can relate to many of the characters and may even be moved to cry with and for them.”
Younger Black Americans Urged to Protect Themselves
Both Johnson and Proteus X acknowledged that while it has taken a number of years to bring the production to the stage, they believe now is the time, particularly to trumpet the message that despite medical breakthroughs, far too many Black and Latino men are still exposing themselves to the HIV.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among gay and bisexual men who could benefit from PrEP, 42% of White men reported using it, compared to only 27% of Black/African American men (and 31% of Hispanic/Latino men). The CDC concludes that out-of-pocket costs, insurance coverage gaps and disparities in general healthcare access, historical medical distrust, and social determinants of health also contribute to the gap.
“Our message is clear: this is still a matter of life and death,” Proteus X said. “Even with the meds now available like PrEP, men and women still have to be careful who they sleep with. We touch on that in the play and focus on one character who is described within the HIV community as a Dandelion – individuals who acquired HIV during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding and who we celebrate as being lifetime survivors.”
Play Honors the Fallen on World AIDS Day
The sounds of Motown take center stage in the play featuring original pieces written by Ashford and Simpson with a vibe that the producers say will take fans back to the 1980s.
Homage is also given to several Black men who were icons within the gay community and who died from the virus including journalist Max Robinson and designers Willi Smith and Patrick Kelly.
Sallid, whose career spans film, television, and Broadway, and who choreographed several Spike Lee films including “School Daze” (1988), said while assembling the cast and fine tuning the play have not been easy, he has relished the challenge.
“I’ve done something in every genre of the business and most say I’m easy to work with,” Sallid said. “It’s a process to get the proper cast and script in place, but I’m feeling really good about how things are going.”
The trio of creatives said they encourage older, trusted members of the LGBTQ+ community to bring a few younger people with them for a true intergenerational exchange of thoughts and feelings and leave inspired.
Proteus X said he hopes people will feel more encouraged to live their lives “in truth and lyrics,” once seeing “Behind the Mask: Invisible Life (The Musical).”
Johnson’s goal is for audiences to begin to deeper understand a message about humankind.
“If we eliminate all of the distractions,” he said, “we can see that humans are humans, no matter who we love, and we’re all traveling along the same journey.”
Tickets for “Behind the Mask: Invisible Life (The Musical)” at The Howard Theatre can be purchased at unionstagepresents.com.
