The New Group and Vineyard Theatre announce additional casting for Jeremy O. Harris’ “Daddy,” with Tommy Dorfman, Kahyun Kim, Hari Nef, Ronald Peet and Charlayne Woodard joining Alan Cumming, as previously announced, in this world premiere production directed by Danya Taymor. Previews begin February 12 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through March 31 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).

In Jeremy O. Harris’ searing new play “Daddy,” Franklin (Ronald Peet), a young black artist on the verge of his first show, meets Andre (Alan Cumming), an older white art collector, and before long their feverish link deepens into an irresistible bond. But when Franklin’s Christian mother, Zora (Charlayne Woodard), decides that her son is in peril, she enters into a battle of wills with Andre over the soul of the man they both call baby. Basquiats and Birkins, gospel and pop, and fantasy and reality collide around a Bel Air swimming pool in this deeply surreal exploration of intimacy and identity. Danya Taymor (PASS OVER) directs this wildly theatrical and dangerous world-premiere co-production from The New Group and Vineyard Theatre.

This production features Alan Cumming (Andre), Tommy Dorfman (Max), Kahyun Kim (Bellamy), Hari Nef (Alessia), Ronald Peet (Franklin) and Charlayne Woodard (Zora). Scenic Design is by Matt Saunders. Costume Design is by Montana Levi Blanco. Lighting Design is by Isabella Byrd. Sound Design is by Lee Kinney. Casting is by Judy Henderson, CSA. Production Stage Manager is Valerie A. Peterson.

Tickets for “Daddy” are now on sale. General schedule: Tuesday – Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00pm; Sunday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Regular tickets start at $85. Single tickets can also be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, or in person at 416 West 42nd Street (12-8pm daily). Memberships for the final two shows of The Vineyard’s 2018-19 Season are still available at vineyardtheatre.org. All Vineyard Members may book their tickets to “Daddy” online, by phone at 212- 353-0303, or in person at 108 East 15th Street.

The New Group (Scott Elliott, Artistic Director; Adam Bernstein, Executive Director) is an award-winning, artist-driven company with a commitment to developing and producing powerful, contemporary theater. The New Group’s 2018-2019 season launched with Sharr White’s THE TRUE, directed by Scott Elliott, with Austin Cauldwell, Edie Falco, Glenn Fitzgerald, Michael McKean, John Pankow, Peter Scolari and Tracy Shayne, which enjoyed an extended engagement through October 28; and the company is currently represented Off-Broadway by CLUELESS, THE MUSICAL, by Amy Heckerling, with choreography by Kelly Devine, directed by Kristin Hanggi (now in previews; opens December 11). Following Jeremy O. Harris’ “Daddy,” a co-production with Vineyard Theatre, directed by Danya Taymor, The New Group’s season concludes with Jesse Eisenberg’s YEA, SISTER!, directed by Scott Elliott (Spring 2019). Last season featured the world premiere of Seth Zvi Rosenfeld’s DOWNTOWN RACE RIOT, directed by Scott Elliott; an extended run of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, featuring music by Richard Thomas and book & additional lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas and choreography by Chris Bailey, directed by John Rando, which received four Lucille Lortel Award nominations including Outstanding Musical and a Lucille Lortel Award for Tiffany Mann, as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical; as well as an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical; the New York premiere of David Rabe’s GOOD FOR OTTO, also extended, directed by Scott Elliott; and the world premiere of Lily Thorne’s PEACE FOR MARY FRANCES, directed by Lila Neugebauer.

Other production highlights include the hit revival of SWEET CHARITY, which received Drama Desk, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nominations for Outstanding Revival; the U.S. premiere of Wallace Shawn’s EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE; the revival of Sam Shepard’s BURIED CHILD and the world premiere of Jesse Eisenberg’s THE SPOILS, which both enjoyed critically-acclaimed productions at Trafalagar Studios in London’s West End directed by Scott Elliott, after successful runs of Off-Broadway. The company has collaborated with writers Thomas Bradshaw (BURNING, INTIMACY), Ayub Khan Din (EAST IS EAST, RAFTA, RAFTA…, BUNTRY BERMAN PRESENTS…), Mike Leigh (ECSTASY, SMELLING A RAT, ABIGAIL’S PARTY, TWO THOUSAND YEARS), Kenneth Lonergan (THIS IS OUR YOUTH, THE STARRY MESSENGER), David Rabe (HURLYBURLY, AN EARLY HISTOR OF FIRE, STICKS AND BONES, GOOD FOR OTTO); Wallace Shawn (AUNT DAN AND LEMON, THE FEVER, MARIE AND BRUCE) and more. The company has received more than 100 awards and nominations for excellence. The New Group is a recipient of the 2004 Tony® Award for Best Musical (AVENUE Q). In 2011, THE KID received five Drama Desk nominations and the Outer Critics Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. That year, The New Group and Scott Elliott were honored with a Drama Desk Special Award “for presenting contemporary new voices, and for uncompromisingly raw and powerful productions.” For more, please visit TheNewGroup.org.

Vineyard Theatre (Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern, Artistic Directors; Suzanne Appel, Managing Director) is one of the country’s preeminent centers for the creation and production of new plays and musicals. The Vineyard is committed to creating an artistic home for daring and diverse artists, to nurturing their unique voices, and to engaging audiences in work that challenges all of us to see ourselves and our world in new ways, and that pushes the boundaries of what theatre can be and do. The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works by both emerging and renowned artists. The 2018-19 Season launched with the New York premiere of Ngozi Anwanywu’s GOOD GRIEF, a New York Times Critic’s Pick, directed by Awoye Timpo. Notable productions developed and premiered by The Vineyard include the world-premiere of David Cale’s HARRY CLARKE, directed by Leigh Silverman and starring Billy Crudup (2018 Drama Desk, Obie, Lucille Lortel, Off Broadway Alliance and Outer Critics Circle awards); Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman’s INDECENT, which transferred to Broadway, winning two 2016 Tony Awards; two Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, Paula Vogel’s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE and Edward Albee’s THREE TALL WOMEN; Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Pulitzer Prize finalist GLORIA; Nicky Silver’s THE LYONS; Marx, Lopez and Whitty’s Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q; Kander and Ebb’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (12 Tony Award nominations); Bell and Bowen’s Obie Award-winning [title of show], Lanie Robertson’s LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL, Tarell Alvin McCraney’s WIG OUT!; Becky Mode’s FULLY COMMITTED; Jenny Schwartz’ GOD’S EAR; Will Eno’s MIDDLETOWN; Colman Domingo’s DOT; Michael Mayer and Peter Lerman’s BROOKLYNITE, Jordan Harrison’s THE AMATEURS, THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE by John Kander and David Thompson and directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, and many more. The Vineyard is proud to have been honored with special Drama Desk, Obie and Lucille Lortel awards for artistic excellence.

The Vineyard’s Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and Susan Stroman Directing Award recognize and support emerging artists with tailored residencies to create new work. In addition, the company’s education programs serve over 700 of New York City public high school students annually, culminating in the REBEL VERSES Youth Arts Festival in collaboration with Developing Artists.

The Vineyard’s 2018-19 Season continues at its home in Union Square with the New York premiere of Mara Nelson-Greenberg’s DO YOU FEEL ANGER?, directed by Margot Bordelon, in the spring. For more information, visit www.vineyardtheatre.org.

The Pershing Square Signature Center, the permanent home of Signature Theatre, is a three-theatre facility on West 42nd Street designed by Frank Gehry Architects to host Signature’s three distinct playwrights’ residencies and foster a cultural community. The Center is a major contribution to New York City’s cultural landscape and provides a venue for cultural organizations that supports and encourages collaboration among artists throughout the space. In addition to its three intimate theatres, the Center features a studio theatre, rehearsal studio, a bookstore, and the Signature Café + Bar, open to the public from noon-midnight Tuesdays–Sundays. For more information on renting the Center, please visit www.signaturetheatre.org/rentals.

“Daddy” is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

“Daddy” is supported by a grant from the Venturous Theater Fund of the Tides Foundation.

Biographies:

Alan Cumming (Andre) has performed with Jay Z and Liza with a Z; he has won a Tony, hosted the Tonys and been nominated for an Emmy for doing so; he has a soap called Cumming In A Bar, and a bar called Club Cumming; he made back-to-back films with Stanley Kubrick and the Spice Girls; he has played God, the Devil, Hitler, the Pope, a teleporting superhero, Hamlet, all the parts in MACBETH, General Batista of Cuba, a goat opposite Sean Connery, Dionysus, a Smurf (twice), the EmCee in CABARET (thrice), a James Bond baddie – oh, and political spinmeister Eli Gold on seven seasons of “The Good Wife” for which he received multiple Golden Globe, Emmy and SAG award nominations; he is the author of five books including a #1 New York Times best-selling memoir; he appeared on “Sesame Street,” “Dora the Explorer,” topless in Playgirl and naked on the cover of his second album. He has received over forty awards for his humanitarianism and social activism, three honorary doctorates, both the Great Scot and Icon of Scotland awards from his homeland and was made an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for his contributions to the arts and LBGT equality by the Queen, whose portrait was taken down when his was unveiled at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in 2014. He has sung in concert halls across the globe including the Sydney Opera House, the London Palladium, the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall and Billboard said of his last concert tour Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs “he’s an icon to behold – he is unapologetically himself, and with a talent like that, he has no need to apologize.”

Tommy Dorfman (Max) was born in Atlanta, GA where they developed a passion for storytelling while dancing at the Atlanta Ballet.  Dorfman began their acting career after obtaining their Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from Fordham University, Lincoln Center.  Most recently, Dorfman played ‘Ryan Shaver in the hit Netflix Original Series “13 Reasons Why,” based on the best-selling novel written by Jay Asher and backed by Selena Gomez as Executive Producer.  Dorfman can soon be seen recurring on the upcoming Jenji Kohan series “American Princess” and in the final season of “Jane the Virgin.”  Dorfman is represented by Headline Talent Agency, Anonymous Content and Morris Yorn. They are also a passionate activist, who is outspoken on their support of gun reform, voting, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2017 they were awarded the Rising Star Award from GLAAD.  Dorfman continues to use their acting career as a platform through which they can promote positive change in this world.

Kahyun Kim (Bellamy) recently wrapped a major role on the upcoming season 2 of the hit STARZ series, “American Gods”. She plays New Media and takes over the role after Gillian Anderson from the first season. Kahyun moved to the United States from South Korea and was immediately accepted into the prestigious Drama School at Juilliard. She graduated in 2012 with her BFA in Theater. Kahyun promptly started making her mark in the entertainment industry with recurring roles in “The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC) and “Austin & Ally” (Disney). She’s since worked on multiple projects in both TV and film for the better part of the past 5 years including “Shameless” (Showtime) and a leading role in the Disney reboot of “Freaky Friday.” Previous theater includes LOVE AND MONEY at The Signature Theatre as well as a starring role in Tracy Letts’ LINDA VISTA which opened at The Steppenwolf to rave reviews. Kahyun currently lives in Los Angeles.

Hari Nef (Alessia) is an actor, writer and model best known for her work on the Emmy Award-winning series “Transparent”. She recently made her feature film debut in NEON’s Assassination Nation, and also appears in Lifetime’s “You” and HBO’s “Camping”. Nef also starred in the 2017 miniseries Let Me Die a Nun, which was nominated for a Gotham Award.

Ronald Peet (Franklin) is currently shooting the Netflix series “The I-Land” where he stars as Cooper opposite Kate Bosworth, Natalie Martinez and Alex Pettyfer. He can next be seen in the upcoming feature films The Land of The Owls and in recent theatrical releases Change in the Air and The Meyerowitz Stories, opposite Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Adam Sandler; First Reformed, directed by Paul Schrader; and Nevada, 2018 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection. His television credits include “The Looming Tower,” “Bull,” “Blindspot” and “Girls.” Recent appearances on the New York Stage include SPILL (Ensemble Studio Theatre), CUTE ACTIVIST (Bushwick Starr), KENTUCKY (Ensemble Studio Theatre and Page 73), ICARUS ON THE LES (Joe’s Pub), THE WORLD MY MAMA RAISED (Clubbed Thumb), DEBUTANTE (Ars Nova) and regional credits include THE LION IN THE WINTER (Two River Theater);  PEERLESS (Barrington Stage Company); THE GOLEM OF HAVANA (Barrington Stage/Miami New Drama) and over 30 roles in 15 productions with the American Shakespeare Center. An accomplished singer, Ronald recently performed in Bernstein MASS at Lincoln Center and Karehouse at Joe’s Pub. Ronald is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Charlayne Woodard (Zora) is an actress and playwright who has appeared on Broadway in AIN’T MISBEHAVIN‘. Her Off-Broadway credits include HAMLET (Gertrude); WAR; (Mother); THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE, (Marge Hackett); THE WITCH OF EDMONTON, (Witch); IN THE BLOOD, (Hester); FABULATION, (Ondine); STUNNING; SORROWS AND REJOICINGS; THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, (Grusha); TWELFTH NIGHT, (Maria). Her Regional credits include: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Titania); THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Katherine). Film credits include: Upcoming, Glass, Unbreakable, The Crucible, Eye for an Eye, Sunshine State. Television credits include: “POSE” (series regular), “Sneaky Pete,” “The Leftovers,” “The Blacklist,” “Law & Order: SVU.” As a playwright, credits include: PRETTY FIRE, NEAT, IN REAL LIFE, THE NIGHT WATCHER, FLIGHT. She is a two-time Obie Award winner and a Tony Award nominee. Guest Faculty: Cal Arts, USC. Training: The Goodman School of Drama.

Jeremy O. Harris (Playwright) is a theater artist currently residing in New Haven, CT by way of Los Angeles, CA. As a playwright, his full-length plays include XANDER XUST, DRAGON: 1, SALVE PLAY (New York Theatre Workshop), Winner of the 2018 Kennedy Center Rosa Parks Playwriting Award, the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award, 2018 O’Neill Playwrights Conference) and WATER SPORTS; OR INSIGNIFICANT WHITE BOYS.  His work as a writer and director has been presented or developed by Pieterspace, JACK, Ars Nova, The New Group, NYTW, Performance Space New York and Playwrights Horizons.  This month, A24 and Killer Films began principal photography on @_Zola, the screenplay he co-wrote with director Janicza Bravo.  He is a 2016 MacDowell Colony Fellow, an Orchard Project Greenhouse artist, resident playwright with Colt Coeur, and is under commission from Lincoln Center Theater and Playwrights Horizons. Jeremy is currently in his final year at the Yale School of Drama.

Danya Taymor (Director) is a New York based director and translator.  Recent work: Antoinette Nwandu’s PASS OVER(Lincoln Center Theater / Steppenwolf), Danai Gurira’s FAMILIAR (Steppenwolf), Martyna Majok’s QUEENS (LCT3), Korde Tuttle’s GRAVEYARD SHIFT (Goodman), Justin Kuritzkes’ THE SENSUALITY PARTY (The New Group), Nathan Yungerberg’s ESAI’S TALE (Cherry Lane Mentor Project), Brian Watkins’ WYOMING (Lesser America) and MY DAUGHTER KEEPS OUR HAMMER, Sarah Gancher’s THE PLACE WE BUILT and LEGOM’s I HATE FUCKING MEXICANS (The Flea).  Her production of Antoinette Nwandu’s PASS OVER was filmed at Steppenwolf by Spike Lee and premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is now streaming on Amazon Prime.  An alumna of the Women’s Project Lab, Sundance Theatre Lab, Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, Van Lier Fellowship and the 2050 Fellowship at NYTW. She is a Usual Suspect at NYTW, an artist in residence at TFANA, a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and an Associate Artist at The Flea. Education: Duke University.