Casting Announced for The Pasadena Playhouse’s ‘Fly’

The cast of ‘Fly’ announced for performances starting Jan. 26th at The Pasadena Playhouse. – Photo Courtesy The Pasadena Playhouse

The cast has been announced for the West Coast premiere of The Pasadena Playhouse/Crossroads Theatre Company production of “Fly,” by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, and inspired by the American heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen.

“Fly” began rehearsals last week at The New Victory Theater in New York. Preview performances begin at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena) Jan. 26, 2016 with the official press opening on Jan. 31, 2016. Fly will play through Feb. 21, 2016 at The Pasadena Playhouse, in honor of Black History Month.

With a focus on hope, endurance, and accomplishment, Fly tells the story of the first African-American Army Air Corp fighters known as the Tuskegee Airmen who flew over the skies of Europe and North Africa during World War II. Featuring a cast of eight men, including “Tap Griot,” a dancer who uses tap dance steps to set a mood that is part sublimated anger, part empowerment; Fly was hailed by The New York Times as “a superior piece of theatrical synergy.” Co-author and director Ricardo Khan is Tony Award-winning co-founder and former artistic director of the Crossroads Theatre Company, known as one of the nation’s foremost African-American theater companies. In honor of Black History month, The Pasadena Playhouse and Crossroads Theatre Company’s production of Fly dramatizes the historic contributions made by the Tuskegee Airmen to the desegregation of the American military and the furthering of civil rights.

The cast features Brooks Brantly as W.W. (Off-Broadway: “Significant Other,” U.S. Tour of “War Horse”), Ross Cowan as Shaw (Portland Stage: “Red,” Berkshire Theatre Festival: “Homestead Crossing”), Omar Edwards as Tap Griot (“Fly” at Florida Studio Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Loretto-Hilton Center Browning Mainstage, Ford’s Theatre Society), Anthony J. Goes as O’Hurley (Connecticut Repertory Theater: “Olives and Blood,” Chautauqua Theatre Company: “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre: “Paul”), Brandon Nagle as Reynolds (Guthrie Theater: “Mocondo,” City Theater Austin: “Death of a Salesman”), Desmond Newson as Chet (Broadway: “Motown: The Musical,” 3D Theatricals: “Hairspray,” San Diego Musical Theatre: “Rent”), Damian Thompson as J. Allen (Off-Broadway: “The Anthem”, “Around the World in 80 Days,” “By The Dawn’s Early Light”), and Terrell Wheeler as Oscar (Florida Studio Theatre: “Fly,” Castillo Theatre: “Children of Killers,” New Ohio Theatre: “That Poor Dream”).

Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse, says, “Trey and Ricardo have conceived of a wonderfully theatrical and exciting way to approach this important chapter of American history. Their work will be excitingly brought to life by this fine group of actors and the rest of the creative team. I know that all of them will bring their artistry to the creation of our production in a way that will truly make the play ‘soar.’ It will be a pleasure to have the work of my longtime friend and colleague Ricardo here at The Playhouse, and a joy to have this fine company on our stage.”

The creative team for Fly includes Beowulf Boritt (Set Designer), Toni-Leslie James (Costume Designer), Rui Rita (Lighting Designer), John Gromada (Sound Designer), Clint Allen (Video/Projection Designer), Omar Edwards (Improvographer) and Pat McCorkle (Casting).

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (no 7 p.m. performance Sunday, Feb. 7). Tickets, priced from $25 to $87, are available online at PasadenaPlayhouse.org; by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529; or visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. For more information, visit PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

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