Tamara Tunie Directs Original Marian Anderson Musical 'Marian' at Alabama Shakespeare Festival in 2027

An original musical about one of the most consequential performances in American history is heading to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and casting is underway right now. 'Marian,' a new work centered on the life and landmark 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert of world-renowned contralto Marian Anderson, is slated to begin rehearsals on or about January 26, 2027, in Montgomery, Alabama, with an opening night set for February 25 and a closing date of March 14. With casting directors actively seeking talent and the production team already assembled, this is the moment for performers and theater professionals to make their move.

At the helm is Tamara Tunie, the Tony-nominated director and veteran stage and screen actress perhaps best known to television audiences for her long-running role as medical examiner Melinda Warner on 'Law and Order: SVU.' Tunie has built a respected second career as a stage director, with credits including work on and off Broadway, and her combination of dramatic instinct and deep understanding of performance makes her a natural fit for a piece that lives at the intersection of classical vocal tradition and activist storytelling. The book comes from Caleen Sinnette Jennings, a celebrated playwright and professor whose work has been produced widely across regional theater, collaborating here with Elkin Antoniou G, who also holds a Co-Founder and Artistic Director credit on the project. The story is credited to Jennings, Antoniou G, and Chelsea Marie Davis, who also co-wrote the music alongside Victoria Theodore. Lyrics are by Davis and Emily Ruth Hazel. The score is notably ambitious, blending classical pieces drawn directly from Anderson's own repertoire, meant to be sung in a true operatic style, with original songs shaped by blues, gospel, jazz, and big band traditions. That dual musical demand means the production will require performers with genuine classical vocal training alongside theatrical chops, which is worth flagging for any agent or casting director with classically trained clients.

Casting is being led by Amber Snead, CSA, and Chad Eric Murnane, CSA, of Murnane Casting, with casting assistant Joey Casali rounding out that team. Murnane Casting has a strong presence in the New York theater world and brings a rigorous, professional approach to the audition process. Agents and performers who have worked with this office before know what to expect; those who haven't should treat this as a valuable introduction. The production is backed by a producing partnership that spans regional theater leadership and independent creative development. Executive producers Randy Donaldson and Laura Janik Cronin lead the producer team, with Quin Gresham serving as Artistic Director and Todd Schmidt as Executive Director, both affiliated with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Claire Wilkes serves as Executive Director and Producer for Liquid Theatre Collective, the independent company that originated the project alongside co-founder Amy E. Gewirtz. Alexa Fleur H holds the title of Chief Strategy Officer and Producer for Creative Process, reflecting the development-forward ethos of the producing team. General management is handled by Catalyst Theatricals, a firm with deep roots in regional and commercial theater logistics.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery is one of the most storied regional theater institutions in the American South, routinely mounting productions of genuine scale and ambition. The festival operates in a purpose-built facility, the Carolyn Blount Theatre complex, which houses both the Festival Stage and the Octagon, giving the production professional infrastructure that many regional houses simply cannot match. Montgomery has a meaningful connection to the civil rights history that 'Marian' draws upon, and staging this story in Alabama carries a weight that is unlikely to be lost on either the creative team or the audience. For out-of-town talent and crew, Montgomery is accessible via Montgomery Regional Airport, with Atlanta about an hour and a half away as an alternate hub. Housing availability in the Montgomery market is generally manageable for regional productions, and the ASF has long experience supporting visiting artists through its residency model.

From a production standpoint, 'Marian' presents a rich set of opportunities for specialists across multiple departments. The dual-register score, combining classical opera with original theatrical music rooted in early twentieth-century American idioms, will require a music director and vocal coaching staff with genuine range. The period setting, America in 1939, signals real work for the costume and scenic design teams. The Lincoln Memorial concert, as a climactic theatrical set piece, could demand inventive scenic solutions depending on the creative team's approach. Whether the production leans toward representational staging or something more abstract, the design conversations happening right now will shape what kind of talent and construction resources are needed. The production timeline, running roughly seven weeks from first rehearsal to close, is consistent with a focused regional run and suggests a tightly managed schedule. While the union status of the production has not been confirmed in available materials, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival operates under an Equity contract, so performers and stage managers should plan accordingly.

For anyone whose work touches theater, from performers with operatic training to period costume designers to stage managers looking for a meaningful regional credit in 2027, 'Marian' deserves a spot on your radar today. The full production listing on ProductionList.com includes confirmed crew contacts, casting office information, and the most current scheduling details. Given that casting is already in motion more than a year before rehearsals begin, the window for early conversations is open now, and that window will not stay open long once momentum builds on a project of this caliber.

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