Theater icon directs East Coast premiere of Immediate Family
Phylicia Rashad is back in the director’s chair, guiding a bold new production that dives deep into family, love, and identity. She will direct Immediate Family at Blumenthal Arts in North Carolina, bringing her deep experience and passion to the play’s East Coast debut.
Written by Paul Oakley Stovall, the sharp and emotional story explores a Black family reunion gone sideways when the middle son introduces his white boyfriend to the family. With tensions rising over race, sexuality, and religion, the play opens up honest conversations many families avoid.
A return to a familiar stage with familiar impact
Rashad first directed Immediate Family in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum. That version followed a successful run in Chicago. Now, the legendary actress and director returns to shape the story again—this time for a new audience in the South.
The story has been called a mix of Modern Family and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner—but with a raw, contemporary edge. It balances humor with tension, inviting audiences to laugh, squirm, and reflect.
Rashad’s deep roots in Black theater
Few voices in theater carry the weight of Phylicia Rashad. She holds two Tony Awards, multiple Emmy nominations, and a Theater Hall of Fame spot. Her work both on stage and behind the scenes has made her a beloved force in Black storytelling.
Her past acting credits include iconic roles in A Raisin in the Sun, Gem of the Ocean, and August: Osage County. As a director, she has led powerful productions of Fences, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. With Immediate Family, she continues that tradition—centering stories from within the Black community.
A dynamic cast ready to tell the story
The Blumenthal cast includes Christina Sajous as Evy, Elijah Jones as Jesse, and Freddie Fulton as Tony. They are joined by Andy Mientus as Kristian, Kai Almeda Heath as Nina, and Britney Coleman as Ronnie. Together, this cast brings the Bryant family to life in a way only Rashad could shape.
Performances will run from July 29 through August 31 at the Booth Playhouse. Audiences can expect a moving night of theater filled with truth, laughter, and necessary discomfort.
Tickets are now available at BlumenthalArts.org.
