New play 'Flex' to premiere off Broadway with Lincoln Center Theater

The play, written by Candrice Jones and directed by Tony Award nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz, begins performances at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in June.

UPDATE: The Flex cast will feature Brittany Bellizeare, Christiana Clark, Renita Lewis, Erica Matthews, Ciara Monique, and Tamera Tomakili. The show also has sets by Matt Saunders, costumes by Mika Eubanks, lighting by Adam Honore, and sound by Palmer Hefferan.

It's nothing but net! A new play by Candrice Jones, Flex, will have its New York premiere with Lincoln Center Theater this summer. Performances begin at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater June 23 ahead of a July 20 opening night.

Flex takes place in 1997, when the Lady Train women's basketball team dreams of going pro like the players of the WNBA. But as a young, Black team in rural Arkansas, they face additional challenges, not to mention their internal fights that threaten to break up the team.

Flex had its world premiere at the Arkansas New Play Festival. Now, Little Rock-based playwright Jones makes her Off-Broadway debut with the show.

Directing Flex in New York is Lileana Blain-Cruz, a Tony Award nominee for 2022's The Skin of Our Teeth. She is also directing Michael R. Jackson's world-premiere musical White Girl in Danger off Broadway this season.

Complete casting and additional creative team for Flex have yet to be announced.

Check back for information on Flex tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: Candrice Jones and Lileana Blain-Cruz. (Photos courtesy of production)