Phylicia Rashad to direct Charles Randolph-Wright's Blue on Broadway

The Broadway premiere of Blue is expected to begin performances in spring 2020.

Phylicia Rashad, a 2004 Tony Award winner for A Raisin in the Sun and a 2016 inductee into the Theater Hall of Fame, is set to make her Broadway directorial debut as she helms the Broadway premiere of Charles Randolph-Wright's beloved 2000 play Blue.

Ms. Rashad commented: "I am happy to be directing this play that brought me so much joy. It affirms the importance of theater and its power to touch the human heart."

Synopsis: "With fierce wit and astonishing honesty, Blue explores the complexities of identity and trust behind the carefully constructed façade of the Clarks, a socially prominent family that is struggling with the legacy and pitfalls of their own good fortune. Infused with a searing jazz and soul score, Blue celebrates the love and spirit of a family coming to terms with itself."

The play's music is written by Nona Hendryx, a distant cousin of American music icon Jimi Hendrix, who is perhaps best known for her work as a solo recording artist and as part of the group Labelle, whose hits include "Lady Marmalade."

Blue originally premiered at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage in 2001, before transferring Off-Broadway (courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company) from June to September 2001. Phylicia Rashad starred as Peggy Clark in both productions and earned a 2002 Lucille Lortel Award nomination in the category of  "Outstanding Lead Actress" for her performance.

As a director, Ms. Rashad has helmed the 2018 Signature Theatre production of Our Lady of 121st Street off-Broadway and her other directorial credits include four August Wilson classics: Gem of the Ocean at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Mark Taper Forum, and Fences at both the Long Wharf Theatre and the McCarter Theatre.

Dates, venue, casting and additional creative team information will be announced in the coming months.

Blue is produced on Broadway by Brian Moreland, Eric Falkenstein, and Ron Simons.