The long-overdue Broadway production of Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress completes its limited run January 9. The Roundabout Theatre production began previews October 29, 2021 at the American Airlines Theatre, and officially opened November 18. The production marks the work's Broadway premiere, nearly 65 years after a transfer to the Main Stem was planned.
Tony winner LaChanze stars as Wiletta, an experienced Black stage actor going through rehearsals of a major Broadway production. The cast also features Tony winner Chuck Cooper as Sheldon Forrester, Michael Zegen as Al Manners, Danielle Campbell as Judy Sears, Jessica Frances Dukes as Millie Davis, Brandon Micheal Hall as John Nevins, Simon Jones as Henry, Alex Mickiewicz as Eddie Fenton, and Don Stephenson as Bill O’Wray.
Trouble in Mind is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, and features set design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Kathy A. Perkins, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, original music by Nona Hendryx, and hair and wig design by Cookie Jordan.
Childress’ look at racism, identity, and ego in the world of New York theatre opened Off-Broadway in 1955. Considered a revelation for both the Civil Rights and feminist movements, the play was announced to move to Broadway in 1957. The play's white producers urged Childress to write a less negative ending, but Childress refused, so a Broadway staging never came to be until 2021.
