Listen

(2019)

The risk taking in producing challenging material continued with Listen, an original ‘jukebox’ musical written by Jordan Haynes, with contributions from Candace Sumpter (choreographer) and one of his greatest students, ‘KV’. Gone was the live band and in it’s plays, pop songs from artists including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Travis Scott. At it’s center was the song ‘If Only You Would Listen’ from School of Rock by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This was a rocky production with the loss of Jordan’s father occurring close to the release. Luckily, Jordan was able to bounce back and complete the project successfully mere weeks before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary: Listen is Mean Girls in the Bronx. We follow the lives of several students and their families amidst the challenges of bullying and not being understood by grown ups. The mean girl might not be what meets the eye, the rebel might be more sensitive than you think and the goodie two shoes might have a dark side.

Directed By Jordan Haynes, Candace Sumpter & KV

Choreographed By Candace Sumpter

Music By Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Travis Scott and Andrew Lloyd Webber