Pay the Writer, a timely new play from Tawni O'Dell (Back Roads),
officially opened Off-Broadway August 21 following previews that began
August 13. The production continues through September 30 at The Alice
Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center with
Karen Carpenter (Love, Loss, and What I Wore) at the helm.
The cast features Ron Canada (Network) as writer Cyrus Holt, Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives) as Lana Holt, Bryan Batt (Mad Men) as literary agent Bruston Fischer, Steven Hauck (The Velocity of Autumn) as Jean Luc, Miles G. Jackson (Chicken & Biscuits) as Young Bruston and Taz, Garrett Turner (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) as Young Cyrus, Danielle J. Summons (Baby) as Gigi, and Stephen Payne (Straight White Men) as Homeless Man.
Read the reviews here.
Check out photos from opening night below:
Ron Canada, Marcia Cross, and Bryan Batt
West Mcdonough and Jonathan Pendragon
Tirzah O'Dell, Tawni O'Dell, and Connor O'Dell
Tawni O'Dell, Brenda Braxton, and Harmony Harris
Tawni O'Dell
Tawni O'Dell and Harmony Harris
Tawni O'Dell and Harmony Harris
Susan Marshall and Erik Bottcher
Susan Marshall and Sandy Marshall
Steven Hauck
Stephen Payne
Stephen Payne
Sharon Brown
Sharon Brown
Ron Canada, Marcia Cross, Tawni O'Dell, Bryan Batt, and Karen Carpenter
Ron Canada, Marcia Cross, Tawni O'Dell, Bryan Batt, and Karen Carpenter
Ron Canada, Marcia Cross, Tawni O'Dell, and Bryan Batt
Ron Canada, Harmony Harris, and Bryan Batt
Ron Canada
Ron Canada
Robin Carus
Noah J. Ricketts
Noah J. Ricketts
Mitchell Maxwell, Susan Marshall, and Sandy Marshall
Mitchell Maxwell and Tawni O'Dell
Mitchell Maxwell and Sandy Marshall
Miles G. Jackson
Miles G Jackson
Maryann Plunkett and Jay O. Sanders
Maryann Plunkett and Jay O. Sanders
Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross
Lee Summers and Brenda Braxto
Kevyn Morrow
Karen Carpenter and Tawni O'Dell
James Wesley, Brenda Braxton, and Seth Rudetsky
James Wesley and Seth Rudetsky
Harmony Harris
Garrett Turner, Bonita Jackson, and Ron Canada
Frank Wood
Forbes Candlish and Mercedes Mercado
Erik Bottcher
David Gallo, Viveca Gardiner, Robin Carus, and Karen Carpenter
David Gallo and Vivieca Gardiner
Danielle J. Summon
Craig Bierko
Chris Calkins and Bebe Neuwirth
Carman Lacivita and Maulik Pancholy
Bryan Batt, Marcia Cross, and Ron Canada
Bryan Batt
Brenda Braxton
Brenda Braxton and Mitchell Maxwell
Bebe Neuwirth
Alixx Schottland and Jeni Lyn Rodriguez
The new play follows the friendship between a white, gay literary
agent and his best friend and most successful client, a gifted Black
writer.
The sold-out first preview served as a benefit in support of the Writers Guild of America, which is currently on strike. Additional benefit performances were held August 14 and 20 to meet demand.
The production also features scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by David C. Woolard, lighting design by Chistopher Akerlind, sound design by Bill Toles, and props by Yuki Nakamura.
The limited run is produced by Alexander "Sandy" Marshall, Mitchell Maxwell, Giles Cole, and MarMaxMedia.
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