current musical projects

DUKE AND ROYA

Written by: Charles Randolph Wright  
Composer/Lyricist: Ronvé O’Daniel  
Dir: Warren Adams  
Produced by Laura Ivey and Janet Brenner (Tony Award Winner), Smada Media and Get Lifted Film Co - John Legend, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius (Emmy, EGOT)  
Jay Ellis (Top Gun: Maverick, Insecure) and Stephanie Our (Lioness, 1883) ignite the stage in this gripping new drama about love, survival, and impossible choices.

Discover the electrifying connection between Duke (Ellis), an international hip-hop artist, and Roya (Nur), a fearless Afghan interpreter, who find love in the unlikeliest of places: war-torn Kabul.

​​As their worlds collide, they must navigate cultural divides, make personal sacrifices, and fight for their future in a world determined to keep them apart. Is their bond strong enough to survive?

ONLY IN NEW YORK

Book, Lyrics and Music: Ronvé O’Daniel  
Book: Cris Eli Blak  
Vocal Arrangements and Co-Orchestrations: Will Stone  
Life is short--and at some point, everyone comes to realize it. Kenya, a struggling screenwriter-turned-bartender, is navigating the demands of motherhood, marriage, and an unforgiving city that seems determined to break her spirit. After a career setback, she takes a job at The Renaissance Bar, an upscale cocktail lounge.

​As she juggles late nights at the bar and early mornings with her infant son, the weight of her stalled writing career and crumbling marriage to her overworked husband begins to mount. But amid the chaos, Kenya discovers an unexpected passion for mixology--one that teaches her what it truly means to find balance in life as you would in a delicious cocktail.  

​With an irresistible score blending R&B, hip-hop, and contemporary musical theatre, Only in New York is a heartfelt, soulful musical toast to parenthood, identity, and finding joy while chasing your dream in the city that never sleeps.  ​World premiere will be produced at Wright State University in February, 2026!!!

​Consume responsibly! Cheers!

greenwood: the black wallstreet musical

Book, Lyrics, and Music: Ronvé O’Daniel
Music and Orchestrations: Jevares Myrick
Book: J Kyle Manzay
Currently being developed in partnership with Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol, PA, Greenwood tells the story of an all-black community in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma leading up to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Opening during the height of "Black Wall Street” success, Greenwood explores the events that led to the massacre from the perspective of many vastly different characters: Cyrus, a war vet looking to galvanize his fellow black citizens; Richard Lloyd, a struggling white newspaper editor backed by the KKK; Judges and Amy, an entrepreneurial couple hoping to pass their legacy down to their rambunctious twelve year old daughter Olivia, who dreams of being a pilot; and Dick Rowland, the free spirited young black man accused of assaulting a white woman.  ​
Through their stories we explore how an entire community was destroyed by hate, jealousy, and betrayal, but was revitalized by love, resilience, and forgiveness. With an uplifting story and soulful score that fuses jazz, blues, and gospel with classic Broadway, Greenwood is sure to be one of the most inspiring musicals in years.​

beautiful hair

Book, Music, and Lyrics: Ronvé O’Daniel
Music and Orchestrations: Jevares Myrick
Directed By: Ronvé O’Daniel
If only getting accepted into Princeton, becoming the next Michelle Obama, and getting the guy of your dreams was an easy task! Beautiful Hair is a coming of age tale about an academically gifted, African-American high school senior named Jamila who runs for Student Body President as she attempts to improve her academic resume for Princeton. 

​When Jamila finds herself the target of a cruel bully who just so happens to be the most popular girl in school, she is forced to confront the bully, her fears, and her deepest insecurities.  With an infectious score that fuses hip-hop, R&B, and pop, Beautiful Hair ​is sure to inspire, uplift, and teach the greatest lesson of all: self-love. It's undeniable!
​

​once upon a rhyme

Book, Lyrics, and Music: Ronvé O’Daniel
Music and Orchestrations: Jevares Myrick
Book: J Kyle Manzay​
​ONCE UPON A RHYME is a tale about an eccentric high school ballet dancer named Prince Harper who uses his love of hip hop to gain acceptance from his black peers. In an attempt to gain a coveted record deal, Prince creates a gangster rapper alter-ego, loses himself, and quickly spirals out of control. Will his new alter ego lead to his demise? Or will Prince realize that his authentic self is enough? With jaw-dropping dance breaks and an infectious score that fuses hip-hop, soul, R&B, gospel and classic Broadway, this award winning musical, which explores identity, race, and culture, promises to leave audiences uplifted and inspired!​

​In association with Uproar Theatrics

the earth remembers

Book, Music, and Lyrics: Ronvé O’Daniel
Music and Orchestrations: Jevares Myrick​
The Earth Remembers is a song cycle which follows the history of Tidewater/Hampton Roads, Virginia history over the course of several generations.  Narrated by a single Narrator, each song moment will tell a short story but will share several different themes ranging from: family, love, struggle with humanity, courage, perseverance, and defining home.  
​The Earth Remembers consists of an infectious score that fuses all elements of contemporary African American culture: Hip Hop, afro-beat, rock and gospel, in addition to Native American influence as well as Filipino folk.​

the big mix

Composer: Ronvé O’Daniel
Directed By:  Tina Landau​
Conceived and directed by Artist-in-Residence and Tony nominee Tina Landau, NYC's new public park Little Island announced the complete casting for The Big Mix, a series of performances celebrating Juneteenth, LGBTQIA+ Pride, and Independence Day. Performances begin June 16 and will continue through July 3.

Kicking off the event is the Juneteenth celebration, which will play June 16–19 at 8 PM, hosted by Tony and Grammy nominee Joshua Henry, last seen in New York City Center's star-studded Into the Woodsproduction. The celebration will see performances from Tony winner Tonya Pinkins, Mykal Kilgore, singer-songwriter Chanese Elifé, and a variety of special acts including parkour artists, fire artists, dance performances, and more.

​the hippest wizard of oz

Concept, Book, Music, and Lyrics: J Kyle Manzay
Music and Lyrics: Ronvé O’Daniel
Music and Orchestrations: Jevares Myrick
When a rebellious aspiring rapper becomes fed up with working in her uncle’s drab vintage hip hop record store, she gets swept into a vicious hurricane and finds herself lost in the land of Oz. There she, along with a scarecrow with bad lyrics, a tin man with overproduced beats, and a fake gangster lion, journey to see the Mogul of Oz to grant their individual desires. But before he grants their wishes, the mogul demands that Dorothy defeat the Wicked Witch of the West Side in a rap battle.
​
In association with Uproar Theatrics

superhero

Written By: Ian Eaton
Composer and Sound Designer: Ronvé O’Daniel and Jevares Myrick
Directed By: Warren Adams​
​SuperHero is an original play about a boy who fantasizes about having superpowers. This coming-of-age story is inspired by playwright Ian Eaton's experiences of navigating strict West Indian parents, girls, and Catholic school amidst the backdrop of 1980’s Manhattanville Projects in Harlem.

​After a tragic event, Ian’s fantasies of being a “super” man are shattered when a neighborhood bully forces him to confront the kind of man he wants to become.​
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