“Behind The Mask: Invisible Life (The Musical)” is a powerful new musical based on the groundbreaking novel by 12x New York Times bestselling author E. Lynn Harris.
Previews begin November 25th, with Opening/Performances on November 27, 29, 30. Closing date is December 1st on World AIDS Day.
Being held at The Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Set against the intersecting worlds of faith, family, love, friendship, sex, and identity in America, this unforgettable story explores the cost of hiding and the freedom found in living one’s truth.
Raymond Tyler, Jr., a brilliant young attorney with a promising future, begins questioning his identity while preparing for a traditional life with his longtime girlfriend, Sela.
His world is turned upside down when he is swept into a passionate, forbidden romance with Kelvin Ellis, the charismatic star quarterback of the Alabama Saints, whose magnetic presence and dangerous secrets threaten everything Raymond believes about love, faith, and himself.
Haunted by impossible choices, Raymond leaves Alabama for New York City in search of self-discovery and acceptance.
In the “City of Second Chances,” he finds an unforgettable chosen family: the legendary fashionista Kyle aka The K.A.B., Mother of the House of LaZombra; J.J. (Janelle), a fierce independent Straight Black Woman; and Broadway diva Nicole Springer, with whom Raymond falls madly in love and dares to imagine marriage, family, and the American Dream in a Perfect World.
But when Kelvin unexpectedly reenters Raymond’s life, intertwined relationships collide with the unfolding HIV/AIDS crisis and silence and secrecy take on life-altering consequences: who you love, who you trust, and who you sleep with can become a matter of life and death.
Faced with fear, faith, the weight of his father’s legacy and society’s expectations, Raymond must choose between remaining Behind The Mask—or embracing the freedom of Living His Life In Truth.
Featuring an electrifying original R&B, Gospel, and House score by Motown and Grammy Award-winning legends Ashford & Simpson, “Behind The Mask: Invisible Life (The Musical)” is an uplifting celebration of resilience, authenticity, and unconditional love—an unforgettable experience that will have audiences laughing, crying, and vogueing toward Better Days in America … Again!
Proteus X is the Curator Producer/Writer/Director, Javon Johnson is Producer/Writer/Director, e’Marcus Harper-Short is the Musical Director, and Otis Sallid is the Choreographer, also featuring DJ Teddy Douglas.
E. Lynn Harris (1955–2009) was a literary pioneer whose work redefined contemporary fiction by amplifying themes of identity, love, and self-acceptance. Raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, he attended the University of Arkansas, breaking barriers as its first Black male cheerleader and yearbook editor.
Harris’ debut novel, Invisible Life (1991), was a groundbreaking exploration of personal truth and resilience, giving voice to stories rarely told in mainstream literature. Harris coined the phrase DL (Down Low). Initially self-published, selling from the trunk of his car to beauty salons, Invisible Life overwhelming success led to a national publishing deal and recognition as one of the top 20 classic works of modern literature.
Harris went on to write twelve consecutive New York Times bestsellers, building a devoted following, particularly among African American women, with 6 NAACP IMAGE AWARD nominations “Best Fiction”.
In 2019, Harris was posthumously honored on the Stonewall Inn National LGBTQ Wall of Honor, cementing his impact as a storyteller who challenged norms, inspired change and invented a new genre of novels about successful and glamorous Black Men with sexual identity conflicts (and the Women and Men who Love them.
