About the Show
Synopsis
BEHIND THE MASK: INVISIBLE LIFE (THE MUSICAL) is an explosive adaptation of 12x New York Times bestseller
E. Lynn Harris’ novel INVISIBLE LIFE. Explores themes of family, love, friendship, sex and religion in America.
RAYMOND TYLER, JR., a rising legal star questions his identity and relationship with long‑time girlfriend SELA, is seduced into a “forbidden” romance by star Alabama Saints quarterback KELVIN ELLIS, who proves dangerous to Raymond’s traditional dreams. Conflicted, Raymond escapes to New York City on a journey of self‑discovery and self‑acceptance. In the “City of Second Chances,” he attracts a cornucopia of friends including: Legendary fashionista KYLE, aka The K.A.B. mother of the House of LaZombra; J.J. (JANELLE) a fierce independent Straight Black Woman; Broadway Diva NICOLE SPRINGER, with whom Raymond falls madly in love and shares the American Dream of marriage and life in a Perfect World. Raymond’s chance reunion with Kelvin, whose fiancée is HIV‑positive, threatens his Faith and Dreams with the fact that who you sleep with could be a matter of Life and Death. A strong dose of reality forces Raymond to Live His Life In Truth.
Infused with the passion of an original R&B, Gospel‑House Broadway score by Motown/Grammy/Apollo Legends ASHFORD and SIMPSON. INVISIBLE LIFE (THE MUSICAL) will have audiences Singing and Vogueing in the aisles of Better Days.
“LEGENDARY HOLY GHOST PARADISE GARAGE QUEENS… DahLing!!” ~ THE K.A.B
Mission of Invisible Life
E. Lynn Harris INVISIBLE LIFE (THE MUSICAL) brings to life a groundbreaking story of love, identity, and self-acceptance. Adapted from the bestselling novel that was “banned” for its honest portrayal of identity and loss, the production amplifies voices too often left in the shadows, exploring the complexities of ambition, relationships, and personal truth. Through powerful storytelling and music, Invisible Life fosters conversations on gender equality, self-discovery, and resilience, creating a transformative theatrical experience that INSPIRES audiences to See—Embrace—themselves and others more fully.
About E. Lynn Harris Invisible Life: The Musical
Proteus E2 Productions celebrates the 35th Anniversary of New York Times best-selling author E. Lynn Harris’ classic American love story Invisible Life.
The E. Lynn Harris Brand started in 1991 when Harris sold his self-published novel Invisible Life from the trunk of his car. Today, posthumously, he is an iconic publishing sensation who coined the phrase DL (Down Low) and invented a new genre: Novels about successful and glamorous Black Men with sexual identity conflicts (and the Women and Men who love them).
Top 20 'Classic Works Of Gay Literature' ever written!!
- $100 Million+ Random House Publishing Revenues Worldwide
- 12 consecutive New York Times Bestsellers. A first for an African American Novelist
- Six NAACP IMAGE AWARD nominations "Best Fiction"
- Bestselling Black Male Novelist in America for a Decade with 16 published books
- Published articles in Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, New York Times, Essence, Ebony, ESPN and for Absolut Vodka
- Lecturing Scholar at over 50 universities to 25,000+ Students
- Banned for its honest portrayal of identity and love
About the Creatives
PROTEUS X
CURATOR
“If we were all honest, we would all acknowledge that we live a part of our lives… INVISIBLE.”
Producer/Writer/Director
Proteus X conceived and developed INVISIBLE LIFE (THE MUSICAL) and holds the exclusive Intellectual Property Rights to the complete catalog of New York Times bestselling author E. Lynn Harris—spanning all 16 of his novels.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Proteus X is an Ex-Hollywood Casting Director (Disappearing Acts, Soul Food). HBO Executive Producer. Paramount Pictures Executive Producer (Screenwriter).
Ex-Model (VIBE, The SOURCE, EBONY, CROSS COLOURS, VERSACE).
Proteus X produced the critically acclaimed musical Sanctified at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.
JAVON JOHNSON
Producer/Writer/Director
Currently starring as Richard Hallsen in Tyler Perry’s hit BET drama The Oval, Javon Johnson is a native of Anderson, South Carolina. He is the founding Artistic Director of Bear Fruit Conservatory and a founding ensemble member of Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre Company.
A Broadway actor (Lombardi) and protégé of the late August Wilson. Johnson is an award-winning writer whose play Hambone was produced during Victory Gardens Theater’s Tony Award-winning season. His short film Heaven, directed by Chadwick Boseman, earned a nomination from the African Movie Academy Awards.
Johnson co-directed the sold-out Apollo Theater showcase of E. Lynn Harris Invisible Life: The Musical and appeared as the Reverend in Tyler Perry’s film Boo! A Madea Halloween.
New cast Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer.
Make the Invisible… Unforgettable!!