What exactly is a documentary musical? In the case of Witness Uganda: A Documentary Musical, it is a proper musical telling the autobiographical story of co-creator Griffin Matthews. When he came out as gay his church threw him out. Not knowing where to turn for guidance, inspiration of support, he went to Uganda to offer those same things he was lacking to others. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts launches performances of Witness Uganda on Wednesday, February 6th for a run at the Lovelace Studio Theatre through March 3rd.
Matthews wrote this musical with his creative partner (and husband) Matt Gould. The show played in New York with the title Invisible Thread in 2015. Gould and Matthews have reworked the show since then and this production reflects the changes they have made – including going back to its original title.
In Witness Uganda, Griffin finds that the situation he left behind in New York is even more complicated in Uganda where politics and corruption leave him wondering if one man can change the world.
Jamar Williams plays Griffin. Emma Hunton (Wicked) plays Ryan, Amber Iman (Hamilton) plays Joy and 12-time Grammy nominee Ledisi plays The Rain Lady for all but two performances.
Go here for our interview with Matthews and Gould where we’ll get into their own journeys with Witness Uganda and find out what prompted someone whose homosexuality was an issue with his church to go to one of the most virulently anti-gay countries in the world.
Update: This post has been updated to reflect an extension for the show. Witness Uganda now runs through March 3rd.
