Signature Theatre has announced casting for the world premiere of Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Daphne’s Dive, helmed by Hamilton director Thomas Kail. Included in the cast are Rent star Daphne Rubin-Vega and Samira Wiley, who is known for her role as Poussey in Orange Is the New Black.
Set in a bar called Daphne’s Dive, the Off-Broadway work is scheduled to begin performances April 26 prior to a May 15 opening. The story is centered on a group of regulars who frequent the bar to drink and discuss art, politics and life. It is billed as a play “brimming with adversity, love and hope.”
The complete cast includes Vanessa Aspillaga (Domesticated) as Daphne, Carlos Gomez (The Glades) as Acosta, K.K. Moggie (Mercy) as Jenn, Tony nominee Rubin-Vega (Rent) as Inez, Matthew Saldivar (Act One) as Pablo, Tony nominee Gordon Joseph Weiss (Fool for Love) as Rey and SAG Award winner Wiley (Orange Is the New Black) as Ruby.
“Daphne’s Dive is a cheap corner bar in North Philly where Daphne and her vibrant, eclectic regulars drink to art, politics, and life,” state production notes. “As Daphne's adopted daughter, very different from her reserved and pragmatic mother, grows up, this unconventional family is forced to confront who's an insider, who's an outsider, and the challenge of opening your heart to strangers.”
The design team includes Donyale Werle (scenic design), Toni-Leslie James (costume design), Betsy Adams (lighting design), Nevin Steinberg (sound design) and Michel Camilo (composer). Lori Ann Zepp is the production stage manager. Casting is by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.
Performances of Daphne’s Dive will take place in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, located at 480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. To purchase tickets, call Ticket Services at (212) 244-7529 or visit signaturetheatre.org.
