Manhattan Theatre Club has announced complete casting for the Broadway debut of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner
August Wilson’s Jitney, directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson; the play is the only work from the late Wilson’s The American Century Cycle to have never been seen on Broadway. Oscar and multiple Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter John Legend is now attached as a producer.
Set in the early 1970’s, the story follows a group of men who make a living driving unlicensed cabs or jitneys. The Broadway premiere of Jitney will begin previews December 28 with an official opening night set for January 19, 2017, at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
The cast features Harvy Blanks (Jitney in WNYC’s Greene Space American Century Cycle recording) as Shealy; Tony Award nominee Anthony Chisholm (Radio Golf, Jitney at Second Stage) as Fielding; Obie winner Brandon Dirden (The Piano Lesson, Clybourne Park) as Booster; André Holland (Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Moonlight) as Youngblood; Carra Patterson (Significant Other, Wit, Straight Outta Compton) as Rena; Michael Potts (The Book of Mormon, Aubergine) as Turnbo; Keith Randolph Smith (Fences, King Hedley II) as Doub; Ray Anthony Thomas (Jitney and Fences in WNYC’s Greene Space American Century Cycle recordings, Between Riverside and Crazy) as Philmore; and Drama Desk Award winner John Douglas Thompson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Satchmo at the Waldorf) as Becker.
“Set in the early 1970’s, this richly textured piece follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys,” describe MTC production notes. “When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss’ son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone at last.”
The creative team will include David Gallo (scenic design); Toni-Leslie James (costume design); Jane Cox (lighting design); Darron L. West (sound design); Bill Sims, Jr. (original music); and Thomas Schall (fight director).
MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre is located at 261 West 47th Street, New York. Tickets are available at Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or at The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Box Office.
