Melvin Van Peebles’ groundbreaking 1971 musical Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death will return to Broadway next year with the playwright’s son Mario Van Peebles onboard as Creative Producer and Tony Award winner Kenny Leon directing.
The planned 2022 revival was announced today by producer Lia Vollack. Production details, including the complete cast and additional creative team, will be announced at a later date.
Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death features a book and score by Melvin Van Peebles, who in 1971 had another milestone project as the writer, director and star of the film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. Combining spoken word, funk, jazz and blues in what is now considered a precursor to rap, hip-hop and stage musicals like Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death opened a nine-month stint on Broadway October 20 1971, earning seven Tony nominations including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score.
“The songs on stage were mirroring the incidents that were happening in the streets,” said Melvin Van Peebles in a statement today. The musical consists of monologues about urban Black life. The original staging included cast members Garrett Morris, Bill Duke, Arthur French and Lauren Jones, among others, with Phylicia Rashad as a standby.
Mario Van Peebles, the actor, director and son of the playwright, said today, “For years, people have said Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death was my father’s crowning achievement and ahead of its time and would ask when it would come back to Broadway. Led by the incomparable Mr. Leon, I believe Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death is more relevant than ever, and America is finally ready for it.”
Leon (A Raisin in the Sun) said, “Ever since I heard the name Melvin Van Peebles, I have equated it with excellence, beauty and courage. I am grateful to have this opportunity along with my creative team to introduce to some, and re-introduce to others, the richness of this unique musical experience.”
Mario Van Peebles is repped by Buchwald and manager Matt Luber.