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Why Kerry Washington Returned to Broadway

Nine months ago, Front Row Productions sat down with Broadway producers Jeffrey Richards and Will Trice to talk about a new play, AMERICAN SON. Being part of the triumphant return of Kerry Washington to Broadway following seven captivating seasons on Shonda Rhimes’ breakout ABC series, Scandal, was a thrilling proposition for Front Row Productions.

During that first meeting, Jeffrey and Will talked about the gritty play’s successful run in the Berkshires at Barrington Stage Company.  They also explained that Kerry had seen the script; loved it; and, had signed on to star in the 16-week limited engagement as well as coming onboard as a producer. We jumped at the opportunity to partner with Jeffrey, Will, Kerry, and Rebecca Gold to bring this timely story to life this Fall. You may remember this as the producer team behind the record breaking run of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starting Audra McDonald.

Kerry Washington points to the strength of the play, and the mental imprint it leaves, as the driving factors in her decision to make this her return to Broadway. Fans of Kerry and her iconic portrayal of DC political problem-solver Olivia Pope, have a chance to take the 90-minute ride with her, and fellow cast members Steven Pasquale (recently seen in Junk on Broadway, as well as Rescue Me and The People v. O.J. on television), Eugene Lee (recently seen at DC’s Arena Stage in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner) and Jeremy Jordan (recently seen in Newsies on Broadway and Supergirl on television). 
 

Playwright Christopher Demos-Brown riveting narrative follows an estranged interracial couple wanting answers to their 18-year-old son’s whereabouts after his car is found empty following a traffic stop.  Set in a Miami, FL police station at night, the story unfurls dramatically and sometimes humorously reflecting the times in which we live. For this 2018-2019 season on Broadway, AMERICAN SON uniquely frames this time period in America. Join the conversation at  @americansonplay.
 

In future “Access Front Row” issues we will focus on other contributors who brought AMERICAN SON to Broadway as well as other productions in which Front Row is involved.

New Plays Coming to Broadway This Fall

Eight new plays have already been announced for this Fall season including AMERICAN SON. That could be a record. Comedies like STRAIGHT WHITE MEN starring Armie Hammer and Steven Payne, THE LIFESPAN OF FACTS starring Daniel Radcliffe and Cherry Jones, and THE NAP starring Johanna Day will be first out the gate. BERNHARDT/HAMLE, a period play within a play, will bring Janet McTeer back to Broadway. In stark contrast, THE FERRYMAN, set in a rural Ireland farmhouse, will stage the intrigue of an unexpected visitor. The challenges of an aging gallery owner will be examined in THE WAVERLY GALLERY. And If Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of the classic novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD stays true to the original, it will tackle racial injustice through the eyes of a child.