welcome wondaland!
As around the sun the earth knows she’s revolving…
This is the beginning of the song at the center of this story. A song that proclaims an unbreakable, unshakeable love. This musical that honors the music of Stevland Hardaway Morris known affectionately around the world as Stevie Wonder, tells the interwoven stories of all kinds of love; romantic, sibling, queer, parental, communal and more. A diverse ensemble cast is lead by the classic love story of Jesse and Pearl, two young people from very different worlds that are drawn to the big city by the love of dance. In the city they cross paths with folks like Cherry, her no-good boyfriend Butch, Lee, the love she doesn’t notice, and Sidewalk Sam, the man who calls the street home and is always right on time.
This is a story set in the past but it is for the now. Written specifically for a cast with race, gender, age and ability diversity, it, like the music Stevie Wonder has gifted us with, reminds us that love knows no bounds. If we reach out for it, love is right there waiting for all of us. Always.
Why You?
I am reaching out to you, the brilliant minds at Wondaland Arts Collective because I believe you are the people to take this piece to Broadway. Your collective has been working diligently at mastering many mediums and it’s time to hit the stage. I know that you have a deep love and care for Stevie Wonder’s work. And more than anything else, you embody and live into the intentionality needed to produce this piece. This piece will fail without trans/NB/GNC artists and artists with disabilities. From your prior work, I believe that Wondaland Art Collective has the intelligence and integrity to do this production justice.
About me
My name is Monèt Noelle Marshall. I am from Long Island, New York but I call Durham, North Carolina home. I write, produce, direct and perform in plays. I am also a performance and installation artist, choreographer, facilitator and consultant. And I make a mean mac and cheese. More than anything I want to create and support work that is nourishing. In that way, I trust that we are the same. And I, too, will prolly give a Tony to the homies.