THE HARDER THEY COME Exclusive Behind The Scenes | The Public Theater

Check out an exclusive behind the scenes of the world premiere musical THE HARDER THEY COME, featuring exciting moments from rehearsal and special interviews with Book-Writer Suzan-Lori Parks, Director Tony Taccone, and Choreographer Edgar Godineaux on developing the classic 1972 movie title from screen to stage at The Public Theater! ⭐ ABOUT THE HARDER THEY COME: World Premiere THE HARDER THEY COME Book by Suzan-Lori Parks Including Songs by Jimmy Cliff Additional New Songs by Suzan-Lori Parks Based upon the film, produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone Music Supervision, Orchestrations, and Arrangements by Kenny Seymour Choreography by Edgar Godineaux Co-Directed by Sergio Trujillo Directed by Tony Taccone Company featuring: Jeannette Bayardelle, Shawn Bowers, J. Bernard Calloway, Andrew Clarke, Eean Sherrod Cochran, Tyla Collier, Jamal Christopher Douglas, Tiffany Francès, Garfield Hammonds, Dana Marie Ingraham, Dominique Johnson, Chelsea-Ann Jones, Natey Jones, Dudney Joseph Jr, Dwight Xaveir Leslie, Morgan Mcghee, Meecah, Jacob Ming-Trent, Alysha Morgan, Ken Robinson, Housso Semon, Denver Andre Taylor, Sir Brock Warren, Carla Woods, & Christopher Henry Young Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and The Public’s Writer-in-Residence, Suzan-Lori Parks, brings to The Public a new musical adaptation of the 1972 movie, THE HARDER THEY COME. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the breakthrough film, produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone, tells the story of Ivan, a young singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, eager to become a star. After falling in love and cutting a record deal with a powerful music mogul, Ivan soon learns that the game is rigged, and as he becomes increasingly defiant, he finds himself in a battle that threatens not only his life, but the very fabric of Jamaican society. Featuring Grammy Award winner Jimmy Cliff’s hits, “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and "Many Rivers to Cross," former Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre Tony Taccone directs this new musical, with co-direction by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo and choreography by Edgar Godineaux. Learn more & access tickets at https://thepublic.nyc/THTC Video by Craig Feldman D.P.

Added 17 Aug 2026