Jesse Williams of Grey’s Anatomy will take his shot at Broadway next year when he stars in the revival of the Tony Award-winning show Take Me Out.
Richard Greenberg’s show, which originally ran on Broadway in 2003, will return with Williams in the lead role. The play was originally staged in London, followed by an Off-Broadway run in late 2002. From there, it debuted at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City, where it won a Tony Award for Best Play. Take Me Out revolves around the story of a mixed-race baseball star, Darren Lemming, who comes out as gay during the height of his career, causing complicated interactions with his homophobic team members. It delves into the drama stemming from race, class, and masculinity within the sports world.
While this will be Williams’ first time on Broadway, he was featured in revival joint-productions of The American Dream and The Sandbox at the Cherry Lane Theater in Greenwich Village, New York. Additionally, he’s worked in TV for years, starring Grey’s Anatomy since 2009 and featured in films like The Cabin in the Woods and Brooklyn’s Finest. He is also known for his work as a human rights advocate, garnering attention for his speech at the BET Humanitarian Award in 2016 which touched upon systematic racism and police brutality. His prior work will help him in this role as his character is stuck in the middle of diverse issues within society.
Scott Ellis, who was nominated for his work with Tootsie and Kiss Me, Kate, will direct the show. At this time, further casting has not been announced. Shows will begin performances on April 2, 2020, followed by an opening on April 23 at 2ST’s Hayes Theater in New York City.
Photo: Jesse Williams – ABC/Image Group LA via Flickr
