E. Lynn Harris, Ashford & Simpson — Invisible Life (The Musical) World Premiere
“Behind the Mask: Invisible Life — The Musical” is a world-premiere stage adaptation of E. Lynn Harris’s groundbreaking novel, featuring an original score by Ashford & Simpson. Set between Birmingham, Alabama, and New York City’s late-1980s nightlife, it follows Raymond Tyler Jr., a young attorney torn between the life expected of him and his own desires. After meeting football star Kelvin Ellis, Raymond moves to New York, where he finds a chosen family and becomes involved with Nicole Springer, a Broadway performer who represents the possibility of marriage and conventional family life. When Kelvin returns, Raymond must confront the divisions he has created between love, sexuality, faith, and family.
Blending R&B, gospel, soul, and house music, the production explores Black LGBTQ+ life, resilience, unconditional love, chosen family, and the HIV/AIDS crisis through romance, humor, sensuality, heartbreak, and hope. The World AIDS Day presentation also includes a post-show conversation with artists, advocates, and community health leaders examining HIV in the past and present, including stigma, testing, treatment, PrEP, visibility, and the experiences of people living with HIV.
When: December 1, 2026
Showtimes: Doors at 1:30 PM; performance at 3:00 PM
Venue: The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Tickets: Price not available
Ages: Recommended for ages 16 and older; the production contains mature themes and strong language.
Post-show conversation: A World AIDS Day discussion with artists, advocates, and community health leaders, presented with support from Gilead.
Based on: E. Lynn Harris’s novel *Invisible Life*
Music and lyrics: Ashford & Simpson
Musical director: e’Marcus Harper-Short
Choreography and musical staging: Otis Sallid
Conceived and developed for the stage by: Proteus X
Written and directed by: Proteus X and Javon Johnson
Executive producer: Reggie Van Lee
Producers: Proteus X, Javon Johnson, Toni Isreal, and Zain Sheikh
Run time: Not provided.