Lemon Andersen's ToasT Opens at the Public Theater

The Public Theater production of ToasT, written by Lemon Andersen and directed by Elise Thoron, celebrated its opening night on May 5. The drama runs through May 10.

A Public Theater commission, ToasT weaves major characters from black oral narratives into a story about a group of inmates fighting to keep their minds free amid the 1971 riots that rocked Attica Prison. After 27 years served for murder in Attica's D-Block, Willie Green (aka the legendary Dolomite) has become an unlikely father figure to his cellmates, folklore heroes like Jesse James, Hobo Ben, Annabelle Jones, Stackolee, and Hard Rock. When word brews throughout Attica that a riot is coming, Dolomite has to decide whether to join in or bet on the quickly approaching chance to taste freedom.

The cast features Phillip James Brannon (Bootycandy) as Annabelle Jones, Dan Butler (Twentieth Century) as Sheriff Jody, Teddy Cañez (A Streetcar Named Desire) as G.I. Joe, Keith David (Hot Feet) as Dolomite, Hill Harper (Dogeaters) as Hard Rock, John Earl Jelks (Holler If Ya Hear Me) as Stackolee, Jonathan Earl Peck (The Lion in Winter) as Hobo Ben, and Armando Riesco (The Happiest Song Plays Last) as Jesse James.

For tickets and more information, click here.