Former First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Ford's Theatre's world premiere of Grace April 7 in Washington, D.C. Grace began performances March 19 and runs through May 14.
Obie winner Nikkole Salter co-wrote the book for the musical exploring African-American culinary tradition with Nolan Williams, Jr., who also provides music and lyrics for the new work.
The production's cast features David Hughey, Arica Jackson, Raquel Jennings, Rayshun Lamarr, Jarran Muse, Solomon Parker, Nova Y. Payton, and Virginia Woodruff with understudies LaDonna Burns, Jay Frisby, Duawne Starling, and Kai Brittani White.
Along with exploring Black culinary history, Grace also explores the challenges faced by Black-owned businesses by following the Minton family as they gather to mourn the loss of their matriarch and make decisions about what to do with the family's restaurant in a changing Philadelphia neighborhood.
See new production photos below:
Arica Jackson, Nova Y. Payton, Raquel Jennings, Solomon Parker III, and Rayshun La Marr
Nova Y. Payton, Rayshun LaMarr, Raquel Jennings, Virginia Ann Woodruff, David Hughey, Jarran Muse, Arica Jackson, and Solomon Parker III
Rayshun LaMarr
Raquel Jennings and Arica Jackson
Nova Y. Payton
Serving on the creative team are director and choreographer Robert Barry Fleming, scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West, costume designer Dominique Fawn Hill, lighting designer Zavier Pierce, sound designer David Budries, hair and wig designer Nikiya Mathis, dramaturg Martine Kei Green-Rogers, creative consultant Sheldon Epps. Williams also serves as music director. Orchestrations are by Joseph Joubert. Jessica R. Aguilar, Craig A. Horness, and Taryn Friend are stage managers.
Williams and Salter previously collaborated on The Nolan Williams Project, an early iteration of Grace, performed in 2018 at Cleveland Playhouse for the 13th Annual New Ground Theatre Festival.
The production runs at Ford's Theatre by special arrangement with Dale Mott/Edgewood (Thoughts of a Colored Man, A Strange Loop) and NEWorks Productions.
