Casting Complete for Signature Revival of The First Breeze of Summer

Full casting has been announced for Signature Theatre Company's revival of Leslie Lee's The First Breeze of Summer, the off-Broadway company's first production for the 2008-2009 season. Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the play begins previews at the Peter Norton Space on August 5 with an official opening on August 21, and will run through September 28.

Joining previously announced Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams will be Quincy Dunn Baker Romeo and Juliet, Harvey Blanks Tabletop, Yaya DaCosta Honeydripper, Sandra Daley Defying Gravity, Crystal Anne Dickinson Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Brandon Dirden Prelude to a Kiss, Jason Dirden Two Trains Running, Marva Hicks Caroline, or Change, John Earl Jelks Radio Golf, Tuck Milligan Book of Days, Gilbert Owuor The Brothers Size, Brenda Pressley Dreamgirls, and Keith Randolph Smith Come Back, Little Sheba.

The First Breeze of Summer received a Tony Award nomination for Best Play during its 1975 original Broadway run at the Palace Theatre. Leslie Lee won an Obie Award for her play, which takes place over the course of one sweltering weekend in June, as three generations of the Edwards family collide with their past and confront the choices that will define their future.

The production will feature set design by Michael Carnahan, costume design by Karen Perry, lighting design by Marcus Doshi, sound design by David Margolin Lawson, arrangements and music direction by Bill Sims, Jr.