'Duke & Roya' Off-Broadway review — a love story set against a war-torn backdrop
Read our review of Duke & Roya off Broadway, a world-premiere play written by Charles Randolph-Wright and directed by Warren Adams at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
A love story between two unlikely lovers from different worlds is a tale as old as time, but Charles Randolph-Wright’s Duke & Roya offers a fresh take, anchored by a compelling story and undeniable onstage chemistry.
Duke (Jay Ellis), a hip-hop artist with the ego to match his burgeoning fame, travels to Kabul to perform for U.S. troops at Bagram to promote his new album. There, he meets Roya (Stephanie Nur), a whip-smart translator who captures his attention at first blush. The pair engage in a coy game of “will-they-won’t-they,” testing the limits of safety and trust against the backdrop of a war zone.
Ellis is convincing as Duke, embodying the character’s energy and swagger before evolving into a more composed artist and man as the play moves between 2017 and 2025. The enigmatic Roya, played with a quiet fortitude by Nur, is enamored with Duke and his music. But she stands firm as a strong Afghan woman navigating the weight of social expectations. Nur is both headstrong and humorous, and she draws laughs when she uses hip-hop slang.
Another standout performance comes from Noma Dumezweni as Duke’s mother. She’s a lawyer at the World Bank, and she balances her power with a tender protectiveness over her son. At the performance I attended, an audience member exclaimed, “She has amazing stage presence!” Dariush Kashani, as Roya’s father, brings a similar sense of protectiveness to his role. He’s proud, kind, and reveals an unexpected side.
The play wrestles with complex issues of conflict, race, class, and gender, and it draws a loose parallel between the experience of being a Black man in America to being a woman in Afghanistan. It also explores the Afghan practice of bacha pose, in which families with many daughters choose one to live as a boy until puberty, allowing the child the opportunity of education. Roya served this role in her family, and it afforded her a career.
Despite its heady topics, the play is surprisingly funny, and director Warren Adams gently brings the play’s moments of levity to the stage. With its strong performances and nuanced script, Duke & Roya challenges audiences to consider the ways we connect and the risks worth taking for love.
Duke & Roya summary
Duke & Roya follows the love story of a Black hip-hop artist who visits Kabul and meets Roya, an Afghan woman working as a translator at the Bagram Airbase. The play, which flashes between 2017 and 2025, explores the complexities of two people from very different worlds falling in love, and the risks that come with it.
What to expect at Duke & Roya
Duke performs a few hip-hop songs, complete with concert lighting and an energized crowd. There are also loud noises and simulated bomb sounds to reflect the play's war zone setting. Duke & Roya runs 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
What audiences are saying about Duke & Roya
At time of publication, Duke & Roya has a 91% rating and 69 reviews on the audience review aggregate site Show-Score, where audiences highlight the captivating script and acting.
- "See this show!!! Fantastic acting from all. Phenomenal writing. Really relevant without being preachy or overly political. Simple staging works. Great lighting and sound and costumes." - Show-Score user JoeyFranko
- "Diasporans, immigrants, displaced people who struggle to be and feel seen, this one is for us. The words of the play explain it all so you don't have to." - Show-Score user Anna A.
- "Honestly an exceptional play. I left moved and speechless. Especially how it can resonate so much with what's going on in our world currently. And the layers/complexity of the whole story is amazing. The narrative encompasses a rich tapestry of elements. Humor, romance, conflict, and the complexities of real-life challenges." - Show-Score user Ashley U.
- "Beautifully written drama expressed with humor and intellect. I was touched by the story and impressed by all four incredible actors. If you can get a ticket, don't miss this one!" - Show-Score user Annie F.
Read more audience reviews of Duke & Roya on Show-Score.
Who should see Duke & Roya
- Theatregoers who enjoy romantic stories will be drawn to the endearing courtship between Duke and Roya.
- Fans of Stephanie Nur, known for her television roles in Lioness and 1883, will appreciate the chance to see her talent live on stage.
- Those who enjoy thought-provoking plays that explore race, class, and global issues will appreciate Duke & Roya, which engages with these themes thoughtfully.
Learn more about Duke & Roya off Broadway
Duke & Roya is a gripping drama that grapples with global issues through the soft lens of a love story.
Photo credit: Duke & Roya off Broadway. (Photos by Jeremy Daniel)
Originally published on