Olivia Washington, Grantham Coleman to lead 'Wine in the Wilderness' off Broadway

Tony Award-winning actor and producer LaChanze will make her New York directorial debut with Alice Childress's play at Classic Stage Company this spring.

Classic Stage Company has set complete casting for its production of Alice Childress's Wine in the Wilderness, running from March 6 to April 13, 2025. Opening night is March 24.

Leading the production are Olivia Washington (I’m A Virgo, Slave Play) as Tommy and Grantham Coleman (The Great Society, Rustin) as Bill. Coleman replaces the previously announced Tramell Tillman, who has left the production due to scheduling conflicts.

The complete Wine in the Wilderness cast also includes Brooks Brantly (Sweat, Ghosts) as Sonny-man, Lakisha Michelle May (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Skeleton Crew) as Cynthia, and Milton Craig Nealy (Caroline, or Change; Once on This Island) as Oldtimer.

Wine in the Wilderness takes place on a hot summer night during the 1964 Harlem riot, when artist Bill Jameson is introduced to a model, Tomorrow Marie, for the final piece of his triptych on Black womanhood. But she's not just a model or muse — she's going to give Bill more than he bargained for.

The play is staged by LaChanze, making her New York directorial debut. The Tony Award-winning actress and producer earned critical acclaim for starring in the Broadway premiere of Childress's Trouble in Mind in 2021.

The show also features scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, sound design by Bill Toles, and wig and hair design by Nikiya Mathis.

Check back for information on Wine in the Wilderness tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: Tramell Tillman and Olivia Washington. (Photos courtesy of production)