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Robert O'Hara's Barbecue Opens at the Public Theater

Kent Gash directs the new comedy, which stars Kim Wayans.

| Off-Broadway |

October 9, 2015

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett flank playwright Robert O'Hara and director Kent Gash. — Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis and associate artistic director Mandy Hackett (right) flank playwright Robert O’Hara (second from left) and director Kent Gash.
(© Simon Luethi)

The world premiere of Barbecue, written by Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara, celebrated its opening night at the Public Theater on October 8. The production is directed by Kent Gash.

The play is set at a family barbecue with the O'Malleys. The family has staged an intervention for their drug-abusing sister Barbara at their local park, but the event becomes raucous and unpredictable as familial stereotypes collide with hard realities.

Kim Wayans celebrates her opening night in Barbecue at the Public Theater. — Kim Wayans celebrates her opening night in *Barbecue* at the Public Theater.
(© Simon Luethi)

The company is made up of Becky Ann Baker (Girls), Marc Damon Johnson (Radio Golf), Arden Myrin (Chelsea Lately), Paul Niebanck (A Picture of Autumn), Tamberla Perry (By the Way, Meet Vera Stark), Constance Shulman (Orange Is the New Black), Heather Alicia Simms (As the World Turns), Samantha Soule (And I and Silence), Benja Kay Thomas (Bootycandy), and Kim Wayans (In Living Color).

Barbecue features scenic design by Clint Ramos, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Jason Lyons, and original music and sound design by Lindsay Jones.