Wayne Brady to Play Drag Queen Presidential Candidate in Ms. Blakk for President

Wayne Brady will star as drag performer and activist Terence Alan Smith in Ms. Blakk for President, a new play by Tina Landau and Tarell Alvin McCraney, set to begin previews on October 15 at the Vineyard Theatre ahead of an official opening night November 1.

Better known as Joan Jett Blakk, Smith and the newly formed Queer Nation Chicago took to the floor of the 1992 Democratic National Convention as part of a campaign to elect Blakk president. The campaign slogan: “Lick Bush in ’92!” A look back at American politics at the height of the AIDS crisis, Ms. Blakk for President is described as, “part campaign rally, part nightclub performance, part confessional — and all party.”

Landau will direct. Additional cast and creative team will be announced at a later date.

Ms. Blakk for President premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in 2019 with McCraney in the title role.

Brady is a five-time Emmy Award winner who first came to national attention through the improv comedy television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? On Broadway, he’s appeared as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Wiz in The Wiz, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Lola in Kinky Boots, and in the improv show Freestyle Love Supreme.

Ms. Blakk For President is the first of three productions of Vineyard’s 2026-27 season. Additional productions will be announced at a later date.