Benton currently appears in the Mint Theater Company's Off-Broadway revival of Temporal Powers and is the final cast member announced for the Broadway production of Stick Fly, which begins previews Nov. 18 at the Cort Theatre.
Tony-nominated director Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), who also returns for the Broadway production, directed Benton in the 2010 regional engagements of the play about an affluent African-American family's summer on Martha's Vineyard. Stick Fly will officially open on Broadway Dec. 8.
As previously reported, Tony winner Ruben Santiago Hudson (Seven Guitars, Gem of the Ocean, Jelly's Last Jam, Lackawanna Blues) is cast as neurosurgeon 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. Benton portrays Flip's white girlfriend, Kimber.
The Broadway production will reunite original creative team members David Gallo (scenic design) and Reggie Ray (costume design), who will be joined by the fresh talents of 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, 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.
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.
