By Andrew Gans
and Ernio Hernandez
03 Aug 2008

Michael Kenneth Williams in "The Wire."
photo by HBO

Michael Kenneth Williams, who plays Omar Little on HBO's "The Wire," Passing Strange's Rebecca Naomi Jones and drag performer Daniel T. Boothe (aka Sweetie) have been cast in the Vineyard Theatre's season opener, Wig Out!

The Tarell Alvin McCraney world premiere, directed by Tina Landau, will begin previews at the Off-Broadway theatre company Sept. 10 with an official opening Sept. 30.

The cast will also boast Nathan Lee Graham (The Wild Party) and Andre Holland (Blue Door) as well as Jas Anderson, Joshua Cruz, Sean Patrick Doyle, Angela Grovey and McKenzie Frye.

Wig Out! follows "the story of two competing 'houses' of drag queens, and the loyalties and dreams which pull their members together and apart," according to a previous release. "The play is a deeply human and moving story set in a world that is larger-than-life."

The production will also feature scenic design by James Schuette, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Robert Kaplowitz and hair, wig and make-up design by Wendy Parson.

McCraney earned the inaugural Paula Vogel Playwriting Award in 2007 from The Vineyard Theatre. His The Brothers Size was previously seen at The Public Theatre and his In The Red and Brown Water (also directed by Landau) played at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. Vineyard developed Wig Out! as part of its Lab Series.

Wig Out! will precede the recently announced New York premiere of The Civilians' This Beautiful City — which is slated to play in early 2009 at the downtown stage.

For tickets to productions at Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, call (212) 353-0303 or visit vineyardtheatre.org.