Olney Theatre Center will open its 2025-2026 season with the U.S. premiere of Tyrell Williams' Red Pitch, which played London's Bush Theatre followed by a limited run in the West End.

Daniel Bailey's original production will be re-staged by Kevin McAllister. Performances will begin September 17 for a limited engagement at the Maryland venue through October 19.

The award-winning play follows three soccer-obsessed youths who confront differing destinies, masculinity, and gentrification as their immigrant London neighborhood transforms. 

The American cast features a trio of D.C. actors, including Angelo Harrington II as Omz, Ty'Ree Hope Davis as Bilal, and Terrence Griffin as Joey with understudies Chandler Jordan and Quincy Vicks. All members of the ensemble underwent a three-day soccer boot camp earlier in the summer run by Malcolm Harris, the production’s soccer consultant.

Olney Theatre Artistic Director Jason Loewith said in a statement, “When I saw Red Pitch in London, I was immediately drawn-in by Bilal, Omz, and Joey and the joy of their camaraderie, their passion, and the bravery with which they face an uncertain future, combined with a theatrical dynamism I rarely see onstage. We’ve worked with playwright Tyrell Williams to tweak some of the dialogue for American ears. And to ensure our audience experience it with the same power London audiences did, we’ve asked director Daniel Bailey to adapt his West End staging for three stellar American actors, in a design and production unique to Olney Theatre Center and the United States.”

The creative team for the production includes scenic designer Nadir Bey, lighting designer Amith Chandrashaker, costume designer Jeannette Christensen, sound designer DJ Potts, choreographer Siani Nicole, fight choreographer Casey Kaleba, dialect coach Yetunde Felix-Ukwu, and stage manager Rachel Harrison. 

Honorary producers of the show include soccer legends Oguchi Onyewu, Bruce Murray, and Hamisi Amani-Dove.

Visit OlneyTheatre.org.