By Indigo James, Senior Arts Correspondent
NEW YORK, NY — May 20, 2025 — Broadway star Amber Iman commands the stage in Goddess, a dazzling new musical now enchanting audiences at The Public Theater. Set in a sultry Kenyan jazz club, the production fuses jazz, Afrobeats, R&B, and soul to deliver a fresh and vibrant narrative that celebrates Black womanhood, musical legacy, and cultural folklore.
The musical, inspired by the East African myth of Marimba—a goddess believed to have crafted music from her heartbreak—unfolds in the fictional Moto Moto nightclub in Mombasa. Audiences are introduced to Nadira, a mysterious and magnetic singer played by Iman, whose arrival stirs hearts and awakens long-buried secrets.
A Tale Rooted in Myth and Music
Goddess explores themes of destiny, healing, and female empowerment through a rhythmic, emotionally charged score and rich storytelling. Nadira’s journey is one of both self-discovery and communal awakening, as her soulful performances begin to affect the club’s regulars in profound ways.
The character of Nadira serves as a spiritual conduit, representing the ancestral echoes of Marimba, whose myth lends the show its thematic core. Her songs—charged with emotional intensity—drive the plot forward and blur the line between legend and reality.
From the moment she steps onto the dimly lit Moto Moto stage, Nadira becomes a beacon, drawing the audience and characters alike into her world. Her voice, brimming with warmth and melancholy, stirs the patrons of the club into confronting their truths and unspoken desires.
Amber Iman’s Riveting Performance
Amber Iman delivers a standout performance, embodying Nadira with grace, power, and vulnerability. Her portrayal is nuanced, layered with emotional depth and musical brilliance. Known for her previous roles in Hamilton and Soul Doctor, Iman brings both theatrical gravitas and radiant charm to this original role.
Through Nadira, Iman channels an entire lineage of Black female storytellers, positioning herself not just as an actress, but as a vessel of cultural transmission. Her performances in Goddess resonate as both a personal and communal celebration of resilience, love, and transformation.
Audience members have been seen visibly moved, some in tears during the finale. Iman’s haunting delivery of the musical’s climactic number reportedly earned a spontaneous standing ovation mid-show, underscoring the emotional grip she holds over her viewers.
Creative Team Brings Afrocentric Vision to Life
The musical is brought to life through a collaboration of creative talents. Saheem Ali, acclaimed for his visionary stage direction, helms the production. Composer Michael Thurber blends diverse musical influences to create a score that feels both contemporary and rooted in African sonic traditions. Choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie lends the show its kinetic energy, with movement that flows as freely as the music itself.
Set designer Arnulfo Maldonado transforms the theater space into an immersive, neon-lit jazz club, complete with the sensory richness of a Nairobi night. From the flicker of candlelight on tabletops to the echo of percussion reverberating off brick walls, every detail enhances the audience’s sense of being transported.
Costumes by Dede Ayite blend tradition with modernity, draping characters in vibrant fabrics that tell their own silent stories of heritage and expression. Lighting and sound design underscore pivotal moments with precision, heightening both intimacy and spectacle.
Celebrating Black Artistry and Cultural Identity
Beyond its narrative and musical achievements, Goddess makes a powerful statement on the vitality of Black storytelling. It reclaims myth as a source of empowerment and centers African culture not as backdrop, but as protagonist. In doing so, it offers a rare and resonant lens on love, loss, and legacy through the eyes of African diasporic experience.
The musical resonates with today’s cultural moment—where diversity, inclusion, and representation are not merely desired but demanded. Goddess doesn’t just perform these values; it embodies them.
Show Dates and Ticket Information
Goddess is currently running at The Public Theater in New York City through June 8, 2025. Tickets are available via the theater’s box office and online platform, with evening and matinee performances scheduled throughout the week.
This powerful new production not only showcases Amber Iman’s magnetic talent but reaffirms The Public Theater’s role as an incubator for boundary-pushing and soul-stirring new works. Theatergoers seeking inspiration, emotion, and a full-bodied musical experience will find it in Goddess.
