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A Soldier's Play 2020

Ages: 12+
Opened: January 21, 2020
Closing: March 12, 2020

A Soldier's Play - 2020 Broadway History , Info & More

Todd Haimes Theatre (Broadway)
229 W. 42nd St. New York, NY

In 1944, a black Sergeant is murdered on a Louisiana Army base, and one tenacious investigator must race against his white leadership to unravel the crime before they unravel him. A hair-raising drama that painfully still reverberates today, the mystery of Charles Fuller's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece has finally arrived on Broadway for the first time, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon.


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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR A Soldier's Play

A SOLDIER’S PLAY: CHARLES FULLER’S PULITZER-WINNER IN STUNNING REVIVAL
8 / 10

Leon's demands of the cast are met in full. It's as if every member is a stick of just-lighted dynamite. Grier and Underwood detonate the brightest and account for the most emotional damage inflicted, but everyone is outstanding. The same goes for Derek McLane's set, Dede Ayite's costumes, the Allen Lee Hughes lighting and the Dan Moses Schreier sound.

A SOLDIER’S PLAY: A STODGY WHODUNIT, AND A THOUGHTFUL MEDITATION ON RACISM
6 / 10

Still, A Soldier's Play remains as stubbornly earnest and straightforward as its title. At its end, the black soldiers-relegated mostly to playing baseball for the base, never getting to fight Hitler-receive word that they're finally shipping out. And O'Connell's Taylor realizes the error of his early ways. 'I was wrong, Davenport-about the bars-the uniform-about Negroes being in charge,' he says. 'I guess I'll have to get used to it.' It's a play set in the 1940s, written in the 1980s, optimistically looking toward a better time in American race relations. In 2020, that can't help but feel quaint.

VIDEO: Jerry O'Connell Talks A SOLDIER'S PLAY and the Broadway Shutdown
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 24, 2020


Jerry O'Connell was a guest on Tuesday, March 24's episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan. O'Connell Skyped in from his home to talk with hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.

BWW Flashback: A SOLDIER'S PLAY Concludes Broadway Run
by Nicole Rosky - March 15, 2020


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, A Soldier's Play will play its final performance today, March 15 at the American Airlines Theatre, following 26 previews and 63 regu;lar performances.

A SOLDIER'S PLAY to Hold Post-Show Discussion With Cast Members and the Production's Military Consultant
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 14, 2020


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) has announced Beyond the Uniform: Realizing Military Life Onstage in A Soldier's Play, a special post-show discussion with the production's military consultant, Christopher P. Wolfe (Columbia University, U.S. Military Academy at West Point), moderated by Anna Morton (Roundabout's Literary Manager), on Tuesday, February 18 at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street).

BWW Flashback: The Best of Kenny Leon
by Nicole Rosky - January 26, 2020


Earlier this week, Roundabout Theatre Company brought Charles Fuller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Soldier's Play, to Broadway for the very first time. At the helm of the new production is Kenny Leon, directing the eleventh Broadway project of his career.

TV: Go Inside Opening Night of A SOLDIER'S PLAY with David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood & More!
by TV - Opening Night Special - January 22, 2020


The American Airlines Theatre was the place to be last night as Charles Fuller's A Soldier's Play finally opened last night on Broadway, almost four decades after it premiered off Broadway. 'The reason I wanted to do it was to get to speak these words that Charles Fuller wrote. We get to mine and uncover themes of racism, identity, love of country, an hatred of self,' says leading man Blair Underwood. 'To be able to do that in such an incredible play, that has won a Pulitzer for a good reason... it's exciting every night.'

Photo Coverage: Billy Porter, Magic Johnson, and More Walk Red Carpet at Opening Night of A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Walter McBride - January 22, 2020


A Soldier's Play opened last night on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). Check out photos from the opening night red carpet!

Photo Coverage: The Cast of A SOLDIER'S PLAY Takes Their Opening Night Bows
by Walter McBride - January 22, 2020


A Soldier's Play opened last night on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows!

Review Roundup: A SOLDIER'S PLAY Opens On Broadway - See What the Critics Are Saying
by A.A. Cristi - January 21, 2020


A Soldier's Play opens tonight on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre.

BWW Flashback: Looking Back At PORGY AND BESS's Opening Night!
by Linnae Medeiros - January 21, 2020


With David Alan Grier making his official return to Broadway tonight as Sergeant Vernon C. Waters in Roundabout Theatre Company's A Soldier's Play, we're looking back at his Tony-nominated turn as Sportin' Life in 2012's Tony-nominated production of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess on the show's opening night. Check out the video to see Grier alongside Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, Phillip Boykin, Joshua Henry, and more as they celebrate the special night!

BWW Review: David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood Lead Excellent Cast of Kenny Leon's Revival of Charles Fuller's A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Michael Dale - January 21, 2020


When a soldier in the United States Army, just before the final surge of World War II, is found shot to death in the Louisiana town where he's stationed, the immediate assumption is that one or more of the locals committed the murder.

VIDEO: David Alan Grier Gives Advice to the Young Cast of A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 20, 2020


David Alan Grier was a guest on Monday's episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan to talk about starring in A Soldier's Play on Broadway. During the interview, Grier talks about how this is his third round with the show, as he previously starred in the off-Broadway production and the film adaptation. 

Up on the Marquee: A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Walter McBride - January 17, 2020


Previews are currently underway for A Soldier's Play, which opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

See Which Notable Actors Have Starred in Past Productions of A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 22, 2020


A Soldier's Play officially opened on Broadway on January 21 for a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

TV: Watch Highlights from A SOLDIER'S PLAY on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - January 14, 2020


Previews are underway for A Soldier's Play, which opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

Photo Flash: First Look at David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood & More in A SOLDIER'S PLAY on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - January 13, 2020


Previews are underway for A Soldier's Play, which opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

Meet the Cast of A SOLDIER'S PLAY - Now in Previews on Broadway!
by Meet the Cast - December 27, 2019


A Soldier's Play is officially in previews on Broadway! A Soldier's Play opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). It stars David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood, Nnamdi Asomugha, Jerry O'Connell, McKinley Belcher III, Rob Demery, Jared Grimes, Billy Eugene Jones, Nate Mann, Warner Miller, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Lee Aaron Rosen.

VIDEO: Meet the Cast of A SOLDIER'S PLAY in This New Video
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 13, 2019


Take a look at a video sizzle reel for Roundabout's new Broadway production of A SOLDIER'S PLAY starring David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood.

Photo Flash: Take a Look at Rehearsal Photos from Roundabout's A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 13, 2019


A Soldier's Play begins preview performances on December 27, 2019, and opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

TV: Meet the Cast of A SOLDIER'S PLAY on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - December 9, 2019


Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the first Broadway production of Charles Fuller's award-winning drama A Soldier's Play, directed by Kenny Leon. A Soldier's Play will star David Alan Grier as 'Sergeant Vernon C. Waters,' Blair Underwood as 'Captain Richard Davenport,' Nnamdi Asomugha as 'Private First Class Melvin Peterson,' Jerry O'Connell as 'Captain Charles Taylor,' McKinley Belcher III as 'Private Louis Henson,' Rob Demery as 'Corporal Bernard Cobb,' Jared Grimes as 'Private Tony Smalls,' Billy Eugene Jones as 'Private James Wilkie,' Nate Mann as 'Lieutenant Byrd,' Warner Miller as 'Corporal Ellis,' J. Alphonse Nicholson as 'Private C. J. Memphis' and Lee Aaron Rosen as 'Captain Wilcox.'

Photo Flash: First Look at David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood in A SOLDIER'S PLAY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 9, 2019


Rehearsals are underway for the Broadway production of A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller, directed by Kenny Leon.

Photo Coverage: Meet the Company of A SOLDIER'S PLAY on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - December 6, 2019


Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the first Broadway production of Charles Fuller's award-winning drama A Soldier's Play, directed by Kenny Leon. A Soldier's Play will star David Alan Grier as 'Sergeant Vernon C. Waters,' Blair Underwood as 'Captain Richard Davenport,' Nnamdi Asomugha as 'Private First Class Melvin Peterson,' Jerry O'Connell as 'Captain Charles Taylor,' McKinley Belcher III as 'Private Louis Henson,' Rob Demery as 'Corporal Bernard Cobb,' Jared Grimes as 'Private Tony Smalls,' Billy Eugene Jones as 'Private James Wilkie,' Nate Mann as 'Lieutenant Byrd,' Warner Miller as 'Corporal Ellis,' J. Alphonse Nicholson as 'Private C. J. Memphis' and Lee Aaron Rosen as 'Captain Wilcox.'

Breaking: Nnamdi Asomugha, Jerry O'Connell & More Join David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood in A SOLDIER'S PLAY on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - November 12, 2019


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) has just announced complete casting for the first Broadway production of Charles Fuller's award-winning drama A Soldier's Play, directed by Kenny Leon.

David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood Will Lead A SOLDIER'S PLAY on Broadway This Winter
by Stephi Wild - August 19, 2019


Roundabout Theatre Company will present A Soldier's Play, directed by Kenny Leon starring David Alan Grier (Porgy and Bess) as a?oeSergeant Vernon C. Watersa?? and Blair Underwood (A Streetcar Named Desire) as a?oeCaptain Richard Davenport.a??

A Soldier's Play History

Other Productions of A Soldier's Play

1981   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2005   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2020   Broadway Roundabout Theatre Company's Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2022   US Tour North American Tour
US Tour

A Soldier's Play - 2020 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play David Alan Grier
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Fight Choreography Thomas Schall
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play A Soldier's Play
2020 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Blair Underwood
2020 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award David Alan Grier
2020 Drama League Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play A Soldier’s Play
2020 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Play Kenny Leon
2020 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play David Alan Grier
2020 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play A Soldier's Play
2020 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Play Dede Ayite
2020 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Play Kenny Leon
2020 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Play Allen Lee Hughes
2020 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play David Alan Grier
2020 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Blair Underwood
2020 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Play Charles Fuller
2020 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Play Derek McLane

Videos