Corey Hawkins to star in Six Degrees of Separation

"Straight Outta Compton" star Corey Hawkins will take on the role of Paul and join previously announced seven-time Emmy Award winner Allison Janney and Tony winner John Benjamin Hickey (Ouisa & Flan Kittredge, respectively) in the Broadway revival of John Guare's comic-drama Six Degrees of Separation. Directed by Trip Cullman, the 15-week limited engagement will begin previews at the Barrymore Theatre on 5 April 2017, before an offcial opening on 25 April, and will close on 16 July 2017.

Corey Hawkins made his Broadway debut in the 2013 revival of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' as Tybalt, and made his off-Broadway debut in the 2012 Signature Theatre production of 'Hurt Village.' He is perhaps best known for starring as Dr. Dre in the hit movie "Straight Outta Compton." Other notable screen credits include "The Walking Dead," "Non-Stop," "Iron Man 3," and next year's "24: Legacy" and "Kong: Skull Island."

Synopsis: "Inspired by a true story, the play follows the trail of a young black con man, Paul, who insinuates himself into the lives of a wealthy New York couple, Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, saying he knows their son at college. Claiming he's the son of actor Sidney Poitier, Paul tells them he has just been mugged and all his money is gone. Captivated by Paul's intelligence (and the possibility of appearing in his father's new movie), the Kittredges invite him to stay overnight. After finding him in bed with a hustler, their picture of Paul changes, and Ouisa and Flan turn detective trying to piece together the connections that gave him access to their lives. Meanwhile, Paul's cons unexpectedly lead him into darker territory as his lies begin to catch up with him."

The creative team behind Six Degrees of Separation features scenic design by Mark Wendland, lighting design by Ben Stanton, and sound design by Darron L West.

Six Degrees of Separation is produced on Broadway by Stuart Thompson and Tim Levy.

Six Degrees of Separation originally premiered at the Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater on 16 May 1990 before transferring to the larger LCT venue the Vivian Beaumont on 8 November 8 1990, picking up a Tony nomination for "Best Play" in 1991 and becoming a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play's subsequent West End transfer won the Olivier Award for "Best New Play" in 1993. Directed by Jerry Zaks, the Broadway premiere starred Stockard Channing, John Cunningham and Courtney B. Vance. Ms. Channing went on to star in the 1993 film adaptation alongside Donald Sutherland and Will Smith.

- by Tom Millward