"As someone who walked up and down this boulevard as a young girl, I cannot describe the thrill of having the opportunity of composing songs for a Broadway show," Keys said in a statement. "It's honestly been a dream come true. I love the humor and humanity of Stick Fly, and I'm so excited to be a part of the emotional journey this show will take audiences on."
Keys' albums include "songs in A minor," "The Diary of Alicia Keys," "As I Am" and "The Element of Freedom." She also appeared in such films as "Smokin' Aces'," "The Nanny Diaries" and "The Secret Life of Bees."
Tony-nominated director Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun) directs Stick Fly, which will begin previews Nov. 18 at the Cort Theatre towards a Dec. 8 Broadway opening. The play centers on a family gathering at the home of an affluent African-American family on Martha's Vineyard.
The cast includes Tony winner Ruben Santiago Hudson (Seven Guitars, Gem of the Ocean, Jelly's Last Jam, Lackawanna Blues) as wealthy family patriarch Joe LeVay, alongside Emmy nominee Dulé Hill ("Psych," "The West Wing") and Mekhi Phifer ("ER," "8 Mile") as his sons Kent and Flip, respectively. Tracie Thoms (Rent, The Exonerated "The Devil Wears Prada") will play Taylor, Kent's fiancée, and Condola Rashad (Ruined, "The Good Wife") is cast as the maid, Cheryl. Rosie Benton (Temporal Powers) will play Flip's white girlfriend, Kimber.
The creative team includes David Gallo (scenic design), Reggie Ray (costume design), Beverly Emmons (lighting design) and Richard Fitzgerald/Sound Associates (sound design). According to producers, "It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend at the family home on Martha’s Vineyard… until the baggage got unpacked. Set at the elegant summer home of the well-to-do LeVay family, Stick Fly begins when two adult sons bring their significant others (one a fiancée, the other a new girlfriend) home to meet their parents for the first time. Soon, secrets are revealed, civilities are dropped and identities are explored in a harsh new light. Race and rivalry, class and family, all come together for an explosive comedy of manners about today’s complex world."
The Broadway production is produced by Nelle Nugent, Alicia Keys, Samuel Nappi, Reuben Cannon, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia Klausner, Huntington Theatre Company, Dan Frishwasser, Sarahbeth Grossman, Charles Salameno in association with Joseph Sirola and Eric Falkenstein.
Stick Fly premiered at Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago in 2006. In 2008 it was performed at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. Stick Fly is the recipient of the 2006 Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play. Leon also directed the 2010 regional engagements at Arena Stage and the Huntington Theatre Company.
Diamond's works also include Voyeurs de Venus, The Bluest Eye, The Gift Horse, Stage Black and Harriet Jacobs. She is a faculty member of Boston University and has had her works produced at Arena Stage, The New Victory Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage, McCarter Theatre, Playmakers Rep, Chicago Dramatists, Congo Square, MPAACT, True Colors Theatre Company, L.A. Theatre Works and Company One.
Tickets are now on sale at StickFlyBroadway.com.
