Casting is now complete for Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's upcoming production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new play We Are Gathered.
Directed by Kent Gash, this contemporary twist on Shakespearean wedding plays will be presented May 16–June 15 on Arena’s in-the-round Fichandler Stage in Washington, D.C. Opening night is set for May 22.
Joining the previously announced Kyle Beltran (Netflix’s Inventing Anna) as W. Tre, Nic Ashe (Queen Sugar) as Free, and Nikkole Salter (The Great Society) as MS MS/Punkin, will be Jade Jones, Kevin Mambo (The Color Purple), Craig Wallace, Prince Bajon, Jason B. McIntosh, and Jasmine Joy.
The queer-themed play follows the relationship of Free and W. Tre. As they approach a milestone anniversary, they wonder if they’ve met Mr. Right or had a long one-night stand with a lovely Mr. Maybe.
“The celebration and honoring of love, sexual expression, freedom, and Black excellence in We Are Gathered is a wedding invitation and another collaboration with this genius that I am thrilled to accept,” said director Gash. “Do Free and W. Tre, our protagonists, make it to the altar? For the answer, you'll have to see Tarell’s We Are Gathered. Save the date!”
“Tarell Alvin McCraney has crafted a magical and deeply human story that invites us to reflect on what it means to love bravely,” added Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif. “We Are Gathered dissects the beauty and vulnerability of commitment. It asks us to be seen fully, to give fully, and to trust that love, in all its forms, is worth the leap.”
The creative team also includes set designer Jason Sherwood, costume designer Kara Harmon, lighting designer Adam Honoré, sound designer Lindsay Jones, composer Tre'Von Griffith, wig, hair, and makeup designer J. Jared Janas, and dramaturg Avon Haughton. New York casting is by The TRC Company's Tara Rubin and D.C. casting by Raiyon Hunter.
McCraney, artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse, made his Broadway debut in 2019 with his Tony-nominated play Choir Boy. McCraney's play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the Oscar–winning film Moonlight, for which he won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar along with director Barry Jenkins.
The stage manager is Christi B. Spann, and the assistant stage manager is Jamie Berry.
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