Reed – known for his recurring roles on "The Cosby Show" and "A Different World" – also directs the Off-Broadway engagement of his autobiographical play that began performances June 26 at New World Stages.

Press notes for East 14th, which is designed by Matthew Aller, describe the solo play as tracing "a young man's coming-of-age in 1970s Oakland as he struggles to find out who he is in a world of religious fanatics, pimps, players, hustlers, and streetwalkers. In this autobiographical tale, Reed chronicles escaping an ultra strict upbringing, going out of his way to be something that he wasn't, and eventually, learning to keep it real."

For his work on East 14th, Reed was nominated for Best Actor and Best Playwright 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards. Onstage Reed has also appeared in the McCarter Theatre production of The Key, opposite Hector Elizondo and Jo Beth Williams.

The performance schedule for East 14th follows: Thursdays at 8 PM and Fridays and Saturdays at 9 PM. Tickets are currently on sale through Sept. 27.

Tickets for East 14th, priced $45-$55, are available by visiting www.telecharge.com or by phoning (212) 239-6200. For further information visit East14th.com.