Fetch Clay, Make Man announces cast

New York Theatre Workshop have announced their of Will Power's Fetch Clay, Make Man, opening at the New York Theatre Workshop on 12 Sep 2013, following previews from 23 Aug 2013, and running through to 13 Oct 2013.

Directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), the cast of Fetch Clay, Make Man will star Ray Fisher, K. Todd Freeman (The Song of Jacob Zulu), Anthony Gaskins, Nikki M James (Book of Mormon), John Earl Jelks (Radio Golf), Sekou Laidlow and Richard Masur (Lucky Guy).

Fetch Clay, Make Man: In the days leading up to one of Cassius Clay's most anticipated fights, the heavyweight boxing champion forms an unlikely friendship with the controversial Hollywood star Stepin Fetchit.

The play explores the improbable bond that forms between two drastically different and influential cultural icons. One a vibrant and audacious youth, the other a resentful and almost forgotten relic - they fight to form their public personas and shape their legacies amidst the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-1960s.

The design team includes Riccardo Hernandez (Scenic Design), Paul Tazewell (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (Lighting Design) and Darron L West (Sound Design).

Bios:

Ray Fisher appeared regionally in 'King Lear,' 'Cymbeline,' 'As You Like It' (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ) and 'Fetch Clay, Make Man' (McCarter).

K. Todd Freeman has been a member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 1993. Freeman performed at New York Theatre Workshop last season in Paula Vogel's 'A Civil War Christmas.' Broadway credits include 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' 'The Song of Jacob Zulu' (Tony nomination).

Anthony Gaskins was last seen Off-Broadway as 'Michael' in the HERE Arts Center World Premiere, 'You Are Dead. You Are Here.'

Nikki M. James is currently starring in the Broadway hit musical, 'The Book of Mormon,' in the role of 'Nabalungi,' which she originated and won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She has also appeared on Broadway in 'All Shook Up' and 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.' James most recently performed a one woman cabaret show to a sold out audience at 54 Below in New York City. She just wrapped filming the movie, "Lucky Stiff" alongside Jason Alexander" and will also appear in the film "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" starring James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain.

John Earl Jelks was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as 'Sterling' in August Wilson's 'Radio Golf.' Jelks also appeared with Phylicia Rashad on Broadway in August Wilson's 'Gem of the Ocean' as 'Citizen.' In 2008, Jelks won an AUDELCO Award for his work in the Off-Broadway revival of 'The First Breeze of Summer.' Jelks also appeared Off-Broadway in MCC's production of Neil LaBute's 'The Break of Noon' with David Duchovny, Amanda Peet and Tracee Chimo.

Sekou Laidlow's regional theatre credits include 'The Mountaintop' (Philadelphia Theater Co.), 'Of Mice and Men' (Pioneer Theater Co.), 'Runaway Home' (Studio Theater), 'Stonewall Country' (Theater at the Lime Kiln), 'My Children! My Africa!' (Jonathan Rosenberg) and 'Broke-ology' (Kent Gash).

Richard Masur has most recently appeared on Broadway in the Tony nominated productions of Nora Ephron's 'Lucky Guy,' starring Tom Hanks, and Michael Frayne's 'Democracy.' Recent Off-Broadway credits include the Culture Project's production of 'The Exonerated,' MTC's world premiere of 'Sarah, Sarah,' by Daniel Goldfarb and The Public Theater's production of Rinne Groff's 'The Ruby Sunrise.' Masur has starred in more than 50 feature films, including "Risky Business," "My Girl," "Heaven's Gate," "Forget Paris," "Heartburn" and "Under Fire." Masur has starred in numerous popular TV series, including "Picket Fences," " Rhoda" and "One Day At A Time," and guest starred on countless TV comedy and drama series.

Will Power is an award-winning playwright and performer. Power's adaptation of the Greek tragedy 'Seven Against Thebes' retitled 'The Seven,' and his solo show 'Flow' enjoyed a successful run at NYTW and La Jolla Playhouse. Power's numerous awards include a United States Artist Prudential Fellowship, a Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, the TCG Peter Zeisler Memorial Award, a Jury Award for Best Theatre Performance at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival, a Drama Desk Award nomination, and the Trailblazer Award from The National Black Theater Network.

Des McAnuff is a two-time Tony Award-winning director ('The Who's Tommy,' 'Big River') and the immediate past Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival. He is also Artistic Director Emeritus of La Jolla Playhouse, where during his tenure he directed more than 30 productions of classics, new plays and musicals including Rex Pickett's 'Sideways,' 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots,' 'The Wiz,' 'Dr. Zhivago,' 'Palm Beach,' Aaron Sorkin's 'The Farnsworth Invention,' 'Tartuff' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' McAnuff's Broadway credits include 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (2012); 'Guys and Dolls' (2009); Aaron Sorkin's 'The Farnsworth Invention' (2007), 'Jersey Boys' (2006, Tony Award nomination), 'Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays' (2004), 'Dracula the Musical' (2004), 'How to Succeed...' (1995), 'A Walk in the Woods' (1988).