The 16th annual gala production of The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway has announced additional participants for its staging at the American Airlines Theater on November 14. The annual event brings together writers, directors and actors to create and perform six original plays within 24 hours.
New cast members include: Daveed Diggs (Hamilton); Jenna Ushkowitz (Glee); Tracie Thoms (Rent); Paul Schneider (Parks and Recreation); Raúl Castillo (Looking); Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show); Olivia Washington (The Butler); Russell Jones (Ruined); Julie White (The Little Dog Laughed); Anson Mount (Hell on Wheels); and Ukweli Roach (Blindspot). In addition, Dick Scanlan, Carolyn Cantor, Patricia McGregor, Elena Araoz and Lee Sunday Evans will direct; and Christopher Oscar Peña will be one of the six playwrights for the evening.
Previously-announced cast members include Justin Bartha (The Hangover); Jason Biggs (Orange is the New Black); Michael Cerveris (Fun Home); Michael Chernus (Orange is the New Black); Joanna Christie (Narcos); Hugh Dancy (Hannibal); Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live); Grace Gummer (Mr. Robot); Gaby Hoffmann (Transparent); David Krumholtz (Numbers); Andre Royo (The Wire); Thomas Sadoski (The Newsroom); Paul Schneider (Parks and Recreation); Justice Smith (The Get Down); Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia); and Alicia Witt (The Walking Dead).
Joining Peña as the writers for the evening will be previously-announced playwrights David Lindsay-Abaire, Hansol Jung, Warren Leight, Jonathan Marc Sherman, and Bess Wohl.
Earlier this fall, The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway announced Tony-nominated director Leigh Silverman as the honoree for the evening. Silverman, who is currently directing Judith Light in Neil LaBute’s All the Ways to Say I Love You at MCC Theater, is being recognized as an inspiration to young theatre professionals.
The marathon process for The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway begins at 10 PM November 13, the night before the performance. The writers, directors, actors and production staff—many of whom have never worked with or met each other before—gather for an orientation where they are asked to share one costume piece, one prop, a special skill, and to reveal something that they have always wanted to do on stage. Using this as inspiration, the writers spend the night developing 10-minute plays, with rehearsals set to begin at 9 AM the following morning for an 8 PM November 14 performance.
Funds raised at the event will benefit The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, an initiative which brings together young actors, writers, directors and producers from across the country for a series of workshops and panel discussions. The annual program culminates with its own production of The 24 Hour Plays.
Tickets for The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway are available for purchase online here or by calling (212) 868-4444.
