Becky Ann Baker, John Earl Jelks & More Set for Barbecue at the Public

Broadway alum Becky Ann Baker and Tony nominee John Earl Jelks have been tapped for the world premiere of Robert O’Hara’s Barbecue. Directed by Kent Gash, the production will begin performances on September 22 at the Public Theater, where it will run through November 1. Opening night is set for October 8.

Baker has appeared on Broadway in Good People, All My Sons, Assassins, Titanic, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Jelks received a Tony nod in 2007 for Radio Golf; his additional Broadway credits include Holler If Ya Hear Me and Gem of the Ocean. He returns to the Public after recently appearing in ToasT.

The cast will also include Arden Myrin (The Public's Boston Marriage), Paul Niebanck (Broadway's In the Next Room), Tamberla Perry (The Belle of New Orleans), Constance Shulman (off-Broadway's Loose Knit, Steel Magnolias), Heather Alicia Simms (Broadway's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), Samantha Soule (Broadway's The Philanthropist, Coram Boy and Dinner at Eight), Benja Kay Thomas (off-Broadway's Bootycandy) and Kim Wayans (TV's In Living Color).

The show follows the O’Mallery family as they stage an intervention for their drug-addicted sister Barbara. The event takes a harsh turn as familial stereotypes and politics collide.

Barbecue will feature set design by Clint Ramos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Jason Lyons and an original score and sound design by Lindsay Jones.