Tony Nominees Keith David & John Earl Jelks Set for Public Theater's Toast

Tony nominees Keith David and John Earl Jelks will appear in the Public Theater lab production of Lemon Andersen’s Toast. They take on the roles of Dolomite and Stackolee, respectively. Joining them are Phillip James Brannon, Dan Butler, Teddy Cañez, Hill Harper, Jonathan Earl Peck and Armando Riesco. Performances will run from April 21 through May 10, with opening night set for May 5. Elise Thoron will direct.

Toast features characters from black oral narratives into a story about men trying to live free during the Attica Prison riots of 1971. The spoken word piece follows Dolomite, a prisoner of 27 years and father figure to his folklore hero cellmates, who must decide whether to risk his impending freedom to join in the riots. The show returns to the Public after previously being presented at the Public's Under the Radar Festival.

David received a Tony nomination in 1992 for Jelly’s Last Jam; he has since appeared in Hedda Gabler, Seven Guitars and Hot Feet. Jelks recently appeared on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me; he received a Tony nomination for Radio Golf.

Brannon takes on the role of Annabelle Jones. His previous off-Broadway credits include Bootycandy, The City of Conversation, Love and Information and Belleville. Butler will play Sheriff Jody; he returns to the Public after Shakespeare in the Park’s Much Ado About Nothing, having also appeared in Twentieth Century, Biloxi Blues and The Hothouse. Cañez made his Broadway debut in A Streetcar Named Desire and will play G.I. Joe in Toast. Harper, who plays Hard Rock, has appeared in Dogeaters and Blue. Peck plays Hobo Ben; his previous Broadway credits include The Lion in Winter, Words & Music and The Rothschilds. Riesco’s credits include The Happiest Song Plays Last, Olives and Blood and Water by the Spoonful; he takes on the role of Jesse James.

The production will feature scenic design by Alexis Distler, costumes by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jen Schriever and sound design by Rob Kaplowitz.