Alicia Keys announces Broadway cast of ‘Stick Fly’

Producer Alicia Keys is proud to announce that Dulé Hill, Mekhi Phifer, Tracie Thoms, Puerto Rican actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Condola Rashad will star in the Broadway premiere of STICK FLY, the critically-acclaimed American play by Lydia R. Diamond and directed by Kenny Leon. STICK FLY begins previews on Friday, November 18, 2011 and officially opens on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the Cort Theatre (138 W. 48th Street). Tickets are now on sale through Telecharge.com.
 
“My producing partners and I are thrilled to have such a strong and talented ensemble cast assembled,” said Alicia Keys. “Having this incredible group of actors to help bring Lydia’s beautiful play to life is going to take Broadway’s wattage to the next level!”
 
Returning to the Broadway stage, Emmy Award nominee Dulé Hill (“Psych,” “The West Wing”) will play Kent “Spoon” Levay (a writer), Tracie Thoms (Rent, “Cold Case,” The Devil Wears Prada) will play Taylor (Kent’s fiancée and an entomologist), and Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Seven Guitars, Lackawanna Blues) will play Joe Levay (Kent & Flip’s father and a neurosurgeon). Making their Broadway debuts, Mekhi Phifer (“ER,” 8 Mile) will play Flip Levay (a plastic surgeon), and Drama Desk Award nominee Condola Rashad (Ruined) will play Cheryl (a maid). Casting for the role of Kimber, a part-time teacher, will be announced at a later date.
 
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 creative team for STICK FLY includes David Gallo (Scenic Design), Reggie Ray (Costume Design), Beverly Emmons (Lighting Design) and Richard Fitzgerald / Sound Associates (Sound Design).
 
STICK FLY will be produced on Broadway 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 & Eric Falkenstein.
 
STICK FLY was developed in a recent co-production last year between the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston and Arena Stage in Washington D.C. The play had its world premiere at Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre Company in 2006 and was subsequently performed at theatres including the McCarter Theatre in 2007 and the Matrix Theatre Company in Los Angeles in 2009. STICK FLY is the recipient of 2011 Independent Reviewers of New England Awards for Best Play and Best Director of a Drama (Kenny Leon); 2010 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Production, Best Direction and Best Ensemble Performance; a 2010 LA Garland Award for Playwriting; a 2009 LA Weekly Theatre Award for Playwriting; and, the 2006 Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play. It was also a 2008 Susan Blackburn Prize finalist and a nominee for the 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work.
 
Tickets are now available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, or online at Telecharge.com.