Arena Stage has announced preliminary casting for the first two productions of its 2010-2011 season, which will open, as previously announced, with a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!. Molly Smith will direct the production, which will run October 22 – December 26.
The company will feature E. Faye Butler (Aunt Eller), Nicholas Rodriguez (Curly), Valisia LeKae (Laurey), Cody Williams (Will Parker), June Schreiner (Ado Annie Carnes), Nehal Joshi (Ali Hakim), Hugh Nees (Andrew Carnes), Stephen Carrasco (Fred/Ensemble), Cyana Cook (Ellen/Ensemble), Cara Massey (Gertie Cummings/Ensemble), Annie Petersmeyer (Virginia), Emilee Dupre (Vivian/Ensemble), and Jessical Wu (Kate/Ensemble), along with Vincent Rodriguez III, Anton Harrison LaMon, and Semhar Ghebremichael. Hollie E. Wright and Kyle Vaughn will dance the roles of Ballet Laurey and Ballet Curley. Additional casting, including the role of Jud Fry, will be announced at a later date.
Marcus Garvey’s Every Tongue Confess, directed by Kenny Leon and running November 9 – January 2, will feature Phylicia Rashad (Mother Sister/Sophia), Jason Dirden (Shadrack), Jim Ireland (Stocker Pride), Autumn Hurlbert (Benny Pride), E. Roger Mitchell (Deacon/Tidings), Crystal Fox (Sister/Reporter), Eugene Lee (Brother/Jeremiah), and John Earl Jelks (Blacksmith/Bobby). Casting for the role of Bernadette will be announced shortly.
Among Arena Stage’s other offerings for the coming season are Anna Deavere Smith Let Me Down Easy and Lynn Nottage’s Ruined.
