Carla R. Stewart joins the cast of If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka at Playwrights Horizons

The world premiere of Tori Sampson's If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka begins performances off-Broadway on February 15, 2019.

Playwrights Horizons has announced that Carla R. Stewart has joined the cast of the upcoming world premiere of If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka, written by Tori Sampson and directed by Leah C. Gardiner, which is scheduled to begin previews at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater on February 15, 2019, ahead of an official opening on March 10 and a limited run through to March 31, 2019.

Ms. Stewart takes on the role of The Voice of the River and joins Rotimi Agbabiaka (as Chorus), Maechi Aharanwa (as Ma), Jason Bowen (as Dad), Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (as Massassi), Leland Fowler (as Kasim), Níkẹ Uche Kadri (as Akim), Mirirai Sithole (as Adama), and Phumzile Sitole (as Kaya).

This marks the Playwrights Horizon debut for Ms. Stewart, who has previously appeared on Broadway in The Color Purple and also starred in the musical's First National Tour as Shug Avery, and also played Oda Mae in the National Tour of Ghost the Musical. Her regional stage credits also include the roles of Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, Dorothy in The Wiz, and Joanne in Rent.

Synopsis: "In the village of Affreakah-Amirrorkah, no one questions that Akim is the one true, perfect beauty - not even her jealous classmates. But they'll be damned before they let her be the leading lady in this story. A decidedly contemporary riff on a West African fable, Tori Sampson's explosive epic is brimming with live music and dance, as these frenemies jockey for their rank in a culture built on ideals forever out of reach."

The creative team behind If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka features scenic design by Louisa Thompson, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Matt Frey, original music & sound design by Ian Scot, and hair & wig design by Cookie Jordan.

^{(Photo courtesy of Playwrights Horizons)}