Stew & Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent Extends Off-Broadway

The world premiere of The Total Bent has extended its run at the Public Theater. The Stew and Heidi Rodewald musical, which begins preview performances on May 10, will now run through June 19 (instead of the previously announced June 12). Opening night is set for May 25.

Directed by Joanna Settle, The Total Bent follows Marty Roy, a young black musical prodigy, as a British record producer arrives in Montgomery, Alabama to sign him. The son of a gospel star and self-proclaimed healer, Marty spent his childhood writing the songs that have made his charismatic father famous. But in a nation on the verge of social upheaval, Marty finds himself at odds with his spiritually forceful father as he strives to create a masterpiece that will change America—no matter the cost.

The cast features Ato Blankson-Wood, Kenny Brawner, David Cale, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Damian Lemar Hudson, Jahi Kearse and Curtis Wiley. In addition to Stew and Rodewald, the band includes Marty Beller, John Blevins and Brad Mulholland.