Linton Smith II, who is making his theatrical debut, will star as Buddy in the world premiere of Playing Hot from Pipeline Theatre Company. With Thirst playwright C.A. Johnson now attached as co-writer, the jazz concert-party-play by Kevin Armento and Johnson retraces the rise and fall of Buddy Bolden—the radical trumpeter who pioneered American jazz.

Playing Hot is directed by Jaki Bradley with music supervision by Marcus Miller. Set within a brassy dance hall—and featuring a live brass band—the show tracks the birth of jazz in New Orleans.

The cast will also include Fernando Contreras (Ghost the Musical), Danté Jeanfelix (Balls), Roi King (The Argument), Emma Meltzer (Good Men Wanted), Cristina Pitter (Behind the Sheet), Monique St. Cyr (Thunderbodies), and Eric R. Williams (Into the Woods).

Performances will begin April 18 ahead of a May 2 opening at Theater 511. The run is scheduled through May 12.

The production will feature set design by Jason Sherwood (Rent on Fox), lighting design by Stacey Derosier (Mies Julie), costume design by Haydee Zelideth (This Is Modern Art), and sound design by Jim Petty of Five Ohm Productions (Folk Wandering). Casting is by Margaret Dunn of TBD Productions. Kristy Bodall (Folk Wandering) will serve as stage manager.

Playing Hot was developed by Pipeline. The show received a special one-night-only production in the summer of 2016 at the Gym at Judson.

For more information visit Pipelinetheatre.org.