Casting has been announced for Center Theatre Group and American Conservatory Theater's co-production of the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning musical A Strange Loop.
Again directed by Stephen Brackett with choreography by Raja Feather Kelly, the musical will make its West Coast premiere at A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater April 18–May 12 before moving on to Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre June 5–30.
The cast will be led by Malachi McCaskill as Usher with Jordan Barbour as Thought 5, J. Cameron Barnett as Thought 2, Avionce Hoyles as Thought 3, Tarra Conner Jones as Thought 1, Jamari Johnson Williams as Thought 6, and Tony nominee John-Andrew Morrison as Thought 4.
Alvis Green Jr. is the Usher Alternate, and understudies include Dave J. Abrams, Angela Alise, Carlis Shane Clark, and Albert Hodge.
A Strange Loop, which features a book, music, and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson, follows Usher, a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer. Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought
to life by a straight-shooting ensemble.
“I began writing what would become A Strange Loop in a small room of a bungalow-style apartment in the middle of nowhere Queens when I was 23-years-old,” said Jackson in a statement. “I had never been so scared or uncertain of my place in the world. Working on the show was my life raft, and I never in a million years imagined the miles it would travel. I am so excited to share A Strange Loop with even more audiences and so grateful to A.C.T. and CTG for making this West Coast premiere possible. What a strange loop!”
Members of the Broadway creative team will reprise their work on the West Coast, including scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Montana Levi Blanco, sound designer Drew Levy, lighting designer Jen Schreiver, wig, hair, and makeup designer Cookie Jordan, and intimacy director Chelsea Pace, with casting by The Telsey Office's Destiny Lilly. Sean Kana is music directing.
Edmond O'Neal is the production stage manager, and Julia Formanek and Camella Coopilton are the assistant stage managers.
A Strange Loop
made its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons in May 2019. In
December 2021, the show had a critically acclaimed run at Washington,
D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company prior to coming to Broadway in
spring 2022.
A Strange Loop won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical.
For tickets visit ACT-SF.org and CTGLA.org.
Jason Veasey, James Jackson, Jr., Jaquel Spivey, L Morgan Lee, and Antwayn Hopper in A Strange Loop
John-Michael Lyles, Jason Veasey, James Jackson, Jr., L Morgan Lee, John-Andrew Morrison, and Antwayn Hopper in A Strange Loop
L Morgan Lee, Jason Veasey, John-Andrew Morrison, Jaquel Spivey, John-Michael Lyles, James Jackson, Jr., and Antwayn Hopper in A Strange Loop
L Morgan Lee, Jason Veasey, John-Michael Lyles, Jaquel Spivey, John-Andrew Morrison, James Jackson, Jr., and Antwayn Hopper in A Strange Loop
Jaquel Spivey
James Jackson, Jr., Jason Veasey, John-Michael Lyle, L. Morgan Lee, John-Andrew Morrison, and Antwayn Hopper
James Jackson, Jr., L Morgan Lee, Antwayn Hopper, John-Andrew Morrison, Jaquel Spivey, Jason Veasey, and John-Michael Lyles in A Strange Loop
