Cynthia Erivo stars as title role in Dessa Rose at Trafalgar Studios alongside Jon Robyns

It has been announced that Cynthia Erivo will star as the title role in the European premiere of Dessa Rose. The production will also star Jon Robyns as Adam Nehemiah.

Dessa Rose runs at Trafalgar Studios 2 between Tuesday 29th July and Saturday 30th August 2014.

Described as an "uniquely stirring musical drama", Dessa Rose is based on the book by Sherley Anne Williams with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical and Rocky The Musical).

This powerful and moving story, set in 1846 in the ante-bellum South, follows two young women on their journey to acceptance. With elements of blues, folk, hymns and gospel, Dessa Rose perfectly blends history and fiction. 

The storytelling for which Ahrens and Flaherty are most famous is masterfully exhibited throughout. Passionate and innocent Dessa Rose is a young slave faced with a barrage of hardships because of the colour of her skin. While Ruth, a young white mother, faces difficulties because of her gender. 

Ruth and Dessa ‘hand down the story’ to their grandchildren, reliving the adventure they experienced together. Through their extraordinary tale we see their deep and lasting bond and how this makes them part of a long, strong line of women.

Cynthia Erivo recently created the role of Chenice in I Can't Sing (Palladium). Last year she starred as Celie in The Color Purple (Menier) to tremendous critical acclaim. Her theatre credits also include: LIFT (Soho Theatre), Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act (UK Tour), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Gielgud), The Three Musketeers and the Princess of Spain (Traverse Theatre/English Touring Company) and 24 Hour Musicals (Old Vic).

Jon Robyns created the roles of Princeton and Rod in the original West End production of Avenue Q. His theatre credits also include: The Last Five Years (Greenwich), Dickens Abridged (Arts), Sir Galahad in Spamalot (Harold Pinter/Playhouse/UK Tour), Hollis Bessemer in Road Show (Menier), Enjolras in Les Miserables (25th Anniversary UK Tour), Marius in Les Miserables (Queen's), Mark in Rent (English Theatre Frankfurt) and understudy Chris in Miss Saigon (UK Tour). Later this year Jon will alternate Huey in the West End premiere of Memphis.

Andrew Keates directs. Dessa Rose is produced by Arion Productions.

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