Clifton Oliver will play one of the titular brothers in the upcoming Vineyard Theatre world premiere of the Kirsten Childs' musical Miracle Brothers. Jay Goede, Nicole Leach and Gregory Treco have also joined a cast that already featured Tyler Maynard, as the other brother, Kerry Butler, Cheryl Freeman, Anika Larsen, Darrell Moultrie, Karen Olivo and Devin Richards.
Oliver appeared on Broadway in The Lion King and Wicked. His other theatrical credits include Dreamgirls, Ragtime, Rent, Grease, Pippin, Hair, Smokey Joe's Cafe and Godspell.
Goede is best known for playing the Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad. Youmans most recently appeared on Broadway as part of the original cast of Wicked, in which he played Doctor Dillamond. Leach, who appeared on Broadway in Dangerous Games, is probably best known for playing Carmen Diaz in Fame off-Broadway. Treco, who appeared on Broadway in Taboo, portrayed the title character in Zanna, Don't!'s first New York mounting at the Rodney Kirk Theatre.
Miracle Brothers is the story of two young Brazilian brothers--one black Oliver and one white Maynard, one a slave and the other free--divided by race but united in their determination to find a new way to live. Set in 17th-century Brazil, Miracle Brothers follows the young men from the confines of their father's plantation to the dangers, passions and adventures of the world beyond. The story features a wide array of colorful characters, including renegade pirates and runaway slaves to Spanish noblemen and a chorus of singing dolphins.
Miracle Brothers, directed by Tina Landau, will begin previews at the Vineyard Theatre on August 25 and officially open on September 18.