MTC announces full cast of August Wilson's Jitney

The Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the complete cast for the upcoming first-ever Broadway production of Jitney, written by two-time Pulizer Prize winner August Wilson and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. It is the only play of Wilson's 'The American Century Cycle' yet to be seen on Broadway. The premiere production will begin previews on 28 December 2016, with an official opening set for 19 January 2017 and a limited engagement through to 12 March 2017.

Reprising his role as Fielding from the the original Off-Broadway production will be Anthony Chisholm. Joining him will be Harvy Blanks (Shealy), Brandon Dirden (Booster), André Holland (Youngblood), Carra Patterson (Rena), Michael Potts (Turnbo), Keith Randolph Smith (Doub), Ray Anthony Thomas (Philmore) and John Douglas Thompson (Becker).

Synopsis: "Set in the early 1970s, the piece follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys. When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss' son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone at last."

The creative team behind Jitney features scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jane Cox, sound design by Darron L West, original music by Bill Sims, Jr. and fight direction by Thomas Schall.

- by Tom Millward