In a captivating turn of events, acclaimed Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose has officially joined the cast of the upcoming Broadway world premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s play, The Balusters. This change comes in light of Renée Elise Goldsberry's departure due to a scheduling conflict, leaving fans eager to see how this shift will impact the production.
Mark your calendars! Previews for this much-anticipated show are set to commence on Tuesday, March 31, with an official opening night scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. This announcement was made public today by the producer, Manhattan Theatre Club, creating a buzz among theater enthusiasts.
Under the direction of Kenny Leon, the previously announced cast features notable talents including Marylouise Burke, Kayli Carter, Ricardo Chavira, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Margaret Colin, Michael Esper, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Richard Thomas, and Jeena Yi.
Anika Noni Rose brings a wealth of experience to her new role. In addition to her celebrated performance in Caroline, or Change, her impressive resume includes stage performances in Uncle Vanya and A Raisin in the Sun, alongside significant roles in film like Dreamgirls and television series such as Maid. Additionally, she lent her voice to Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and The Frog, who is recognized as the first African American Disney Princess. Rose also voices Afia in the upcoming Disney film Mufasa: The Lion King and portrays Squeal of Fortune in Zootopia 2. Recently, she graced the screen in Let The Right One In. Her talent has not gone unnoticed; she is a 12-time nominee for the NAACP Image Awards, with her latest nomination highlighting her voice work as Marion Lavorre in The Mighty Nein on Amazon.
So, what is The Balusters all about? The plot unfolds within the Vernon Point Neighborhood Association, known for their fervent discussions—whether it's over historically inaccurate porch railings or the proper disposal of trash. However, things take a dramatic turn when a newcomer proposes a surprising idea: placing a stop sign on the corner of the neighborhood's most picturesque block, igniting a fierce battle among the residents.
For those interested in following Anika Noni Rose’s career, she is represented by Innovative, David Williams Management, GoodManagement, and Schreck Rose Dapello.
