Blood Orange’s Devonté Hynes to Compose Music for Broadway’s ‘Function’Blood Orange’s Devonté Hynes to Compose Music for Broadway’s ‘Function’ Devonté Hynes, the acclaimed musician and producer behind the Blood Orange moniker, has joined the creative team of the psychological thriller “Function” on Broadway. Hynes will compose original music for the play, set to premiere at the Hayes Theater on July 15th. “Function” follows Jane (Sydney Lemmon), an employee of a tech giant navigating the fallout of a viral video. As she seeks help from a crisis therapist (Peter Friedman), the play delves into the complexities of online citizenship and the obligations we have to those in need. Hynes’s eclectic musical background, encompassing art rock, jazz, soul, and classical, will bring a distinctive sonic dimension to “Function.” His notable collaborations include Solange, Florence and the Machine, and Mariah Carey. The creative team features an acclaimed group of theater professionals, including director Michael Herwitz, set designer Scott Penner, costume designer Michelle J. Li, lighting designer Mextly Couzin, sound designer Cody Spencer, and dramaturge Hannah Getts. “Function” originally premiered off-Broadway in 2023 and received an Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award nomination. Its Broadway transfer marks a significant step in the production’s journey, with Hynes’s original music set to further enhance its captivating storytelling and exploration of contemporary issues.
Devonté Hynes
(Photo: Imran Ciesay)
Devonté Hynes, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer known as Blood Orange, has joined the creative team of the psychological thriller Function on Broadway. Hynes will compose original music for the play, which will be performed at the Hayes Theater on July 15, with an official opening on July 30.
Born in East London, Hynes’ music spans art rock, experimental jazz, soul, funk, post-punk and classical. He has scored for television and film and has collaborated with Solange, Florence and the Machine, FKA Twigs and Mariah Carey, among others.
In FunctionJane (Sydney Lemmon), an employee at a major tech company (you know the one), has been placed on leave after becoming the subject of a viral video. She arrives at the office of a crisis therapist, Loyd (Peter Friedman), determined to get back into the job that gives her life meaning. Function zooms in on two careerists from different generations, genders and political paradigms to explore what it means to be a citizen of the Internet and our obligation to help the people who need it most.
Written by Max Wolf Friedlich and directed by Michael Herwitz, Function premiered off-Broadway at SoHo Playhouse in fall 2023 and then transferred to the Connelly Theater. The play was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle’s John Gassner Award. The creative team features set design by Scott Penner, costume design by Michelle J. Li, lighting design by Mextly Couzin and sound design by Cody Spencer. Hannah Getts serves as dramaturge.
