Pay the Writer, a timely new play from Tawni O'Dell (Back Roads),
officially opens Off-Broadway August 21 following previews that began August 13. The production continues through September 30 at The Alice
Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center with
Karen Carpenter (Love, Loss, and What I Wore) at the helm.
The cast features Ron Canada (Network) as writer Cyrus Holt, Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives) as Lana Holt, Bryan Batt (Mad Men) as literary agent Bruston Fischer, Steven Hauck (The Velocity of Autumn) as Jean Luc, Miles G. Jackson (Chicken & Biscuits) as Young Bruston and Taz, Garrett Turner (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) as Young Cyrus, Danielle J. Summons (Baby) as Gigi, and Stephen Payne (Straight White Men) as Homeless Man.
Get a first look at the production in the photos below:
Ron Canada and Stephen Payne in Pay The Writer
Ron Canada and Garrett Turner in Pay The Writer
Marcia Cross, Bryan Batt, and Ron Canada in Pay The Writer
Marcia Cross and Ron Canada in Pay The Writer
Marcia Cross and Ron Canada in Pay The Writer
Garrett Turner and Miles G. Jackson in Pay The Writer
Danielle J. Summons and Ron Canada in Pay The Writer
Bryan Batt and Marcia Cross in Pay The Writer
Bryan Batt in Pay The Writer
Bryan Batt and Steven Hauck in Pay The Writer
Bryan Batt and Ron Canada in Pay The Writer
Bryan Batt and Marcia Cross in Pay The Writer
The new play follows the friendship between a white, gay literary agent and his best friend and most successful client, a gifted Black writer.
The sold-out first preview served as a benefit in support of the Writers Guild of America, which is currently on strike. Additional benefit performances were held August 14 and 20 to meet demand.
The production also features scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by David C. Woolard, lighting design by Chistopher Akerlind, sound design by Bill Toles, and props by Yuki Nakamura.
The limited run is produced by Alexander "Sandy" Marshall, Mitchell Maxwell, Giles Cole, and MarMaxMedia.
