Eclipsed begins performances on Broadway tonight

The Public Theater's Broadway transfer of Eclipsed, written by Danai Gurira, directed by Liesl Tommy and starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, begins performances at the John Golden Theatre tonight.

The Broadway limited engagement will officially open on 6 March and run through to 19 June 2016.

Synopsis: "Eclipsed is the story of five extraordinary women brought together by upheaval in their homeland of Liberia. They forge a close-knit community... one that inspires them to feats of increasingly greater strength. Directed by South African-born Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed is a stirring tale of hope, humor and resilience."

The cast of Eclipsed includes Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o (The Girl), Pascale Armand (Bessie), Akosua Busia (Rita), Zainab Jah (Maimi) and Saycon Sengbloh (Helena).

The creative team features scenic and costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Jennifer Schriever and original music and sound design by Broken Chord.

Eclipsed is produced on Broadway by Stephen Byrd, Alia Jones-Harvey, Paula Marie Black, Willette Klausner, Carole Shorenstein Hays and The Public Theater.

Lupita Nyong'o's stage credits include 'The Winter's Tale,' 'Uncle Vanya,' 'The Taming of the Shrew,' and 'Elijah.' She won the Academy Award in 2014 for "12 Years a Slave." Her film credits also include "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens," "Queen of Katwe," and Disney's "The Jungle Book."

- by Tom Millward