The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Spencer Battiest and Aubee Billie will star in an off-Broadway production of “Distant Thunder” in New York City from Sept. 25 through Oct. 27, 2024. Opening night is Oct. 3.

“Distant Thunder” is the first mainstream Indigenous musical to be performed in New York City and is produced by Amas Musical Theatre and Tall Tree Productions.

Battiest has been associated with the play since 2012, when he was cast for a reading in Los Angeles. The play had another reading in 2018, this time in New York. Battiest performed in the show’s first stage production in Oklahoma City in 2022.

“I’m overjoyed to work with [Aubee],” said Battiest, who plays the role of Tonto/Thomas in the show. “To see another tribal member with the same kind of dreams I had as a child, and doing it well, gives me a different type of joy that I didn’t know existed.”

Battiest first heard Billie sing in the office of her father, former Chairman James Billie, when she was a child. Battiest said he couldn’t believe how good her voice was then. He went to see her in her high school’s production of “Miss Saigon” and said he was “blown away” by her talent. After performing in high school, Billie has studied theater at Elon University in North Carolina.

In 2018, “Distant Thunder” was the first reading of a show Billie ever saw in New York.

“I went to the reading with my dad,” said Billie, who plays the role of Aiyana Buck in the show. “Spencer is the person I still look up to in the music and theater industry. To play opposite him is insane to me, I’m so thankful and grateful. I can’t believe I’m allowed to live out my dreams, it’s what I’ve wanted to do my whole life.”

It took more than 10 years for the all-Indigenous musical to make its way to the stage at the First American Museum in Oklahoma City, where it ran for five nights with Battiest in a starring role. Over the years the play was expanded and original songs were added.

“Distant Thunder” tells the story Darrell Water, who as a child left his Blackfeet Nation home with his white mother. He returns years later as a successful attorney with an opportunity for the tribe that sets off a firestorm. During the show, pop-rock music merges with Native drumming and dancing, fusing the cultures.

“Distant Thunder” was written by actor and writer Shaun Taylor-Corbett and his mother Lynne Taylor-Corbett, who is also the director and choreographer. Music and lyrics were written by Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Chris Wiseman.

Previews begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres, with an official opening at 7 p.m. Oct. 3. Performances will continue through Oct. 27, 2024. For tickets go to amasmusical.org or call 212-563-2565.