Invisible Life: A Celebration of E. Lynn Harris

Join us as we celebrate the literary legacy of author E. Lynn Harris with the cast and creative team of the upcoming stage production. As Invisible Life arrives on stage in a reimagined world premiere musical adaptation, join us for an in‑conversation panel featuring members of the cast and creative team behind this groundbreaking production. This special program will explore Harris’s transformative storytelling, the journey of adapting Invisible Life for the stage, and the resonance of his work within today’s artistic and social landscape. Attendees will gain behind‑the‑scenes insight into the creative process, character development, and the significance of bringing this essential narrative to theater audiences at the Howard Theatre for the first time. In addition to the conversation, guests will experience exclusive live performances from the production, showcasing original music written by legendary songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson. These selections offer a vibrant preview of the show’s emotional depth, musical richness, and celebratory spirit. Whether you are a devoted reader, a theater enthusiast, or new to Harris’s influential work, this event provides a unique opportunity to honor a literary trailblazer and engage with the artists bringing Invisible Life to life in a bold new form. For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice. Learn more about the speakers below Currently starring as Richard Hallsen in Tyler Perry’s hit BET drama The Oval , Javon Johnson is a native of Anderson, South Carolina. 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 member Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer . “If we were all honest, we would all acknowledge that we live a part of our lives… INVISIBLE.” 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 novels. Proteus X has made it his life’s mission to ensure that each new generation discovers E. Lynn Harris’ timeless message of love, identity, authenticity, and self-acceptance. 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 Meet the Moderator Candace Y.A. Montague is a distinguished journalist based in Washington, DC, with more than 15 years of experience covering health, gender equality, and social justice for local and national publications. With degrees from Lincoln University and Trinity University, she's committed to education and growth. She received the Sigma Delta Chi Award in 2019 for her piece on parents coping with homicide loss in DC, her hometown. Candace was recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists in 2020 for her feature "Single Story." In 2021, she was a finalist for the Dateline Award for Excellence in Local Journalism. Candace's commitment to diversity and investigative reporting earned her a fellowship at the Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference in 2022 and a place in the Center for Health Journalism National Fellowship Program in 2023. In 2024, she won the Dateline Award for Excellence in Local Journalism for her series on Black infant mortality in DC. Her work amplifies marginalized voices and drives meaningful change.