The New York premiere of Bootycandy, a new play written and directed by Robert O'Hara, will begin previews Aug. 22, prior to an official opening Sept. 10. The limited engagement will play through Oct. 12 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater.

The cast includes Phillip James Brannon (The City of Conversation, Love and Information), Jesse Pennington (Rodney's Wife, Richard II), Benja Kay Thomas (Insurrection: Holding History, Unspeakable) and Lance Coadie Williams. A final cast member will be announced at a later date.

Here's how the production is billed: "Sutter (Phillip James Brannon) is on an outrageous odyssey through his childhood home, his church, dive bars, motel rooms and even nursing homes. A kaleidoscope of sketches that interconnect to portray growing up gay and black, Robert O'Hara's subversive, uproarious satire crashes headlong into the murky terrain of pain and pleasure and... Bootycandy."

Playwrights Horizons has also announced the initial casting for the world premiere of Heidi Schreck's Grand Concourse.

The play will begin previews Oct. 17, prior to an official opening Nov. 12, and performances will continue through Nov. 30 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Directed by Kip Fagan, the cast will feature Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Far From Heaven, Ruined), Bobby Moreno (Year of the Rooster) and Tony Award nominee Lee Wilkof (Kiss Me, Kate; Little Shop of Horrors). One final cast member will be announced at a later date.

"Called to a life of religious service, Shelly (Ms. Bernstine) is the devoted manager of a Bronx soup kitchen, but lately her heart's not quite in it," press notes state. "Enter Emma: an idealistic teenaged volunteer with mixed intentions, whose recklessness pushes Shelley to the breaking point. With startling compassion, Heidi Schreck's play navigates the mystery of faith, the limit of forgiveness, and the pursuit of something resembling joy."

Playwrights Horizons is located at 416 West 42nd Street. Tickets and more information are available by visiting PHnyc.org.