Khris Davis & DeWanda Wise to star in Fireflies at Atlantic Theater Company

Donja R. Love's Fireflies begins performances at the Linda Gross Theater on September 26, 2018.

Atlantic Theater Company has announced casting for the inaugural production of its 2018-2019 off-Broadway season. Khris Davis and DeWanda Wise will take on the roles of Charles and Olivia, respectively, in the world premiere of Donja R. Love's Fireflies, directed by Saheem Ali, which will begin previews at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater on September 26, 2018, before an official opening on October 15 and a limited engagement through to November 11, 2018.

Mr. Davis starred in Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Sweat, both at the Public Theater and on Broadway, and previously made waves with an Obie Award-winning performance as Jay in The Royale at Lincoln Center Theater. He is also known for his TV role as Tracy on FX's hit show "Atlanta." Ms. Wise is perhaphs best known for her role as Nola Darling on Netflix's "She's Gotta Have It" and other notable screen credits include "Shots Fired," "Underground," and "How to Tell You're a Douchebag". 

Synopsis: "Somewhere in the Jim Crow South, the sky is on fire. A pregnant Olivia's fierce speech writing is the sole force behind her charismatic husband Charles and his successful Movement to galvanize people to march towards freedom. When four little girls are bombed in a church, Olivia and Charles' marriage is threatened - as this tragedy and years of civil unrest leave Olivia believing that "this world ain't no place to raise a colored child.""

The creative team behind Fireflies has also been announced and features scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by David Weiner, sound design by Justin Ellington, projection design by Alex Basco Koch.

Fireflies is the second part of a trilogy of plays by Donja R. Love. The first part - Sugar in Our Wounds - played a limited engagement at New York City Center's Studio at Stage II from June 5 through to July 8, 2018, courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club.

^{(Photos courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown)}