After recent runs in Baltimore and New York, “Twisted Melodies” is making its much anticipated run in Washington at Mosaic Theater. Mosaic Founding Artistic Director, Ari Roth, noted, “We’re honored to be partnering with great institutions like Baltimore Center Stage, where we first saw this extraordinary show three years ago, along with Congo Square of Chicago, where the show originated (in 2019).”

The solo show, based on the life of '70s soul singer and composer Donny Hathaway, imagines the troubled and brilliant musician's last day on Earth in an immersive, audience involving, call-and-response performance about Hathaway's compelling inner struggle:  mental illness.

Roth continued with acknowledging their partnership with “the great Apollo Theatre in Harlem where New York audiences just went crazy for this love letter to a troubled, African-American genius composer, performer, arranger, and recording artist.”

The DC premiere of “Twisted Melodies,” written by and starring Kelvin Roston, Jr. and directed by Derrick Sanders, is on stage at The Atlas Performing Arts Center from June 19 through July 21, 2019.

Hathaway, who was born in the Windy City, but raised by his grandmother in St. Louis, is perhaps best known for his chart-topping duets with fellow Howard University classmate, Roberta Flack (“The Closer I Get To You”), and the everlasting holiday season favorite, “This Christmas.” Roston is a St. Louis native.

Following select performances of “Twisted Melodies,” and supported by a National Endowment for the Arts grant, Mosaic will host a series of post-show discussions exploring resonant themes with a diverse set of panelists. These free post-show discussions, beginning immediately after the performances, will cover topics such as:

• Artistic Genius and Mental Health: Unleashing Creativity, Rejecting Stigma
• HBCUs: A Home for Black Artists and Musicians
• The Stigma (And Discrimination) for Black Artists and Musicians
• Holy High Notes: The Sacred and the Secular
  

There is limited free neighborhood parking within walking distance of the theater. Valet parking is also available at 1360 H ST, NE on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, as well as for Saturday and Sunday matinees.