Eight people join hands in prayer around a long table.
The company of Grace. Photo by André Chung.

Grace

A world-premiere musical by Nolan Williams, Jr., celebrating African-American food, family and tradition.

date March 19, 2022 — May 14, 2022
1 Hour 35 Minutes. No Intermission
Recommended for ages 8 and older.

With Grace, Williams pays homage to African-American musical traditions with his rich compositions that fuse the sounds of classical, jazz, R&B, soul and spirituals.

Created by Washington, D.C.,’s own celebrated composer Nolan Williams, Jr., with a book by Nolan Williams, Jr. and Pulitzer-prize nominated and OBIE award-winning actress and writer Nikkole Salter, Grace examines the little-told history of African-American culinary tradition and the challenges faced by Black-owned businesses. The musical captures a day in the life of the Mintons, a Philadelphia family who gather to mourn the loss of their matriarch and deal with the future of their family restaurant in a changing neighborhood. Heartfelt and hopeful, timely and timeless, Grace is the new American musical where, although family comes first, everyone has a seat at the table.

Produced by special arrangement with Edgewood and NEWorks Productions

COVID-19 Health and Safety
We’ve made some changes to help keep you, our staff and our artists safe and healthy. Please visit COVID-19 Health and Safety to learn more.

Teachable Moments

Grace is a musical that examines the struggle of the Minton family, who gather to mourn the loss of the family matriarch and contend with keeping their family-owned restaurant afloat in a gentrified Philadelphia. In this lesson, students will explore the show, the causes of gentrification, and the role students can play in shaping or preserving the history of communities experiencing change.

Artistic Team

Music and Lyrics by Nolan Williams, Jr.
Book by Nolan Williams, Jr. and Nikkole Salter
Directed and Choreographed by Robert Barry Fleming
Scenic Design Jason Ardizzone-West
Costume Design Dominique Fawn Hill
Lighting Design Xavier Pierce
Sound Design David Budries
Hair and Wig Design Nikiya Mathis
Orchestrations Joseph Joubert
Dramaturg Martine Kei Green-Rogers
Creative Consultant Sheldon Epps
NY Casting Stephanie Klapper Casting
Production Stage Manager Craig A. Horness
Stage Manager Jessica R. Aguilar
Assistant Stage Manager Taryn Friend

Cast

Cast Headshot David Hughey

David Hughey

Paul

Headshot for actress Arica Jackson.

Arica Jackson

Haley

Headshot for actress Raquel Jennings.

Raquel Jennings

Jacqui

Cast Headshot Rayshun Lamarr

Rayshun LaMarr

Joshua

Headshot for actor Jarran Muse.

Jarran Muse

EJ

Headshot for actor Solomon Parker.

Solomon Parker III

Lawrence

Cast Headshot Nova Payton

Nova Y. Payton

Ruthie

Headshot for actress Virginia Woodruff.

Virginia Ann Woodruff

Miss Minnie

Headshot for actress LaDonna Burns.

LaDonna Burns

Understuddy

Headshot of actor Jay Frisby

Jay Frisby

Understudy

Headshot

Duawne Starling

Understudy

Headshot of actress Kai B. White.

Kai B. White

Understudy

Musicians

Keys I/Conductor Paul Byssainthe, Jr.
Keys II Marika Countouris/Nathan Blustein
Reeds 1: Piccolo/Flute/Clarinet/ Oboe/Alto Sax Ben Bokor
Reeds 1: Flute/Clarinet/ Bassoon/Tenor Sax Kelsey Mire
Trumpet/Flugelhorn Kieron Irvine
Trombone Christopher Steele
Bass Eliot Seppa
Drums/Percussion Carroll “CV” Dashiell III

From the Gallery

"A Knockout of a Musical!"
– Metro Weekly
"A mouth-watering dish of family and community served up with super-charged music and vocals."
– Broadway World

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