On Monday, February 24, 2025, March On! hosted an exclusive virtual salon, From Page to Stage: Long Way Down, featuring MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and award-winning author Jason Reynolds in conversation with March On! Founder Robert Raben. The evening provided an in-depth look at how Reynolds’ critically acclaimed novel, Long Way Down, was reimagined as a groundbreaking hip-hop and R&B musical, capturing the raw emotion, grief, and unspoken rules that shape young Black men’s lives.
The Journey from Novel to Musical
Reynolds shared the deeply personal inspiration behind Long Way Down—a novel that explores cycles of violence, the weight of grief, and the complex emotions that arise when a young boy is forced to make an irreversible decision. The story follows Will, a 15-year-old navigating his neighborhood’s unspoken rules after his brother’s tragic death. As he descends in an elevator, encountering ghosts from his past, he is forced to confront the consequences of his choices.
The musical adaptation, helmed by an exceptional creative team, transforms the novel’s gripping verse into a theatrical experience that blends hip-hop, R&B, and spoken word. Clips from the Olney Theatre Center’s world premiere production showcased the electrifying music, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling that brought Reynolds’ words to life on stage.
Themes of Grief, Masculinity & Justice
Throughout the discussion, Reynolds and Raben unpacked the major themes embedded in Long Way Down and how they translate into both literature and theater. They explored how cycles of violence are perpetuated through societal expectations of masculinity, particularly within Black communities, and the ways in which grief is often silenced rather than expressed.
“We forget that a lot of young people are making mistakes because they’re often being punished for things that they don’t have—and those things that they don’t have, we never gave them,” Reynolds shared. He emphasized that the rules dictating Will’s world—no crying, no snitching, always seek revenge—are deeply ingrained in systems of oppression, shaping young Black boys’ understanding of justice.
The conversation also touched on the musical’s innovative approach to storytelling, using the power of song and movement to portray these heavy themes in a way that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.
The Power of Storytelling to Break Cycles
One of the most compelling moments of the evening came when Reynolds discussed why he allows adaptations of his work to be fully embraced by new creative teams. “Whenever anyone decides to adapt my work, I give over that work to them so that they can make their art,” he explained. The result is a musical that not only stays true to the essence of Long Way Down but elevates its impact through new artistic interpretations.
Robert Raben emphasized the importance of storytelling as a means of social change. “Some group of us need to fight back in all the ways that we can, and some group of us need to double down and invest in the quiet ways that are comfortable for us. And storytelling is the evergreen and the perennial way to be visible, to be known, to connect with communities, and to educate.”
Investing in the Future of Long Way Down
The event closed with a call to action for attendees to support the continued development of Long Way Down as a musical. Producers shared ways to get involved—whether by attending future productions, donating to support its expansion, or spreading the word about this transformative work. Reynolds’ final message reinforced the urgency of investing in storytelling: “At some point, we’re going to have to push back against the media that is readily available, push back against narratives that don’t serve us. And I think we can start with figuring out how to get our young people back into the theater.”
A Continuing Conversation
March On! remains committed to using the arts to amplify stories that move the culture forward. Long Way Down is just one example of how literature, music, and performance can intersect to challenge norms, inspire change, and reimagine the future.
Stay tuned for future events as we continue to explore the intersections of storytelling, justice, and activism.
