Meet the Stars of New Play If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhf*cka
(© Playwrights Horizons)
Rehearsals have begun for Tori Sampson's If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhf*cka, directed by Leah C. Gardiner, and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly. Performances are set to run February 15-March 31 at Playwrights Horizons.
The play is described as follows: "In the village of Affreakah-Amirrorkah, no one questions that Akim is the one true, perfect beauty — not even her jealous classmates. But they'll be damned before they let her be the leading lady in this story. A decidedly contemporary riff on a Nigerian fable, Tori Sampson's explosive epic is brimming with live music and dance, as these frenemies jockey for their rank in a culture built on ideals forever out of reach."
The cast includes Rotimi Agbabiaka as Chorus, Maechi Aharanwa as Ma, Jason Bowen as Dad, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Massassi, Leland Fowler as Kasim, Níkẹ Uche Kadri as Akim, Mirirai Sithole as Adama, and Phumzile Sitole as Kaya.
The creative team is made up of Louisa Thompson (scenic designer), Dede M. Ayite (costume designer), Matt Frey (lighting designer), and Ian Scot (original music and sound designer), Alyssa K. Howard (production stage manager), and Noah Silva (assistant stage manager).
If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhf*cka marks Sampson's New York City professional debut.
(© Playwrights Horizons)
