Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. has announced the full cast and creative team for CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical, the world premiere stage production based on the story of one of the most influential groups in music history. Performances begin June 12 at the Kreeger Theater, with opening night set for June 26. The run continues through August 9.
Leading the production are Holli’ Gabrielle Conway as Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Jade Milan as Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Stoney B. Woods as Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.
In supporting roles, Felicia Curry takes on Dr. Nzinga and Christina, and Christopher Henry Young steps into the role of MC Hammer. Trenton McKenzie Beavers plays Tommy, Aaron Bliden plays Danny, Josh A. Dawson plays Blake, Deon’te Goodman plays Rain, Ciara Alyse Harris plays Rikara, Darius Jordan Lee plays Michael, and Kennedy Holmes appears in the ensemble.
Rounding out the company are ensemble members Nichole Forde, Bethany Hemmans, Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Malik Kitchen, and Madison McBride, with swings Bryan Archibald, Justin Raynard Hicks, Kalen Robinson, and Mikari Tarpley.
The musical is written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, the Olivier Award-nominated director behind One Love: The Bob Marley Musical, with choreography by Chloe O. Davis. The creative team also includes Tony Award nominee David Holcenberg handling music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations, alongside music director Jaret Landon.
On the design side, the production brings together three-time Tony winner David Zinn on sets, Tony winners Dede Ayite on costumes, Gareth Owen on sound, and Nikiya Mathis on hair and wigs, along with five-time Tony nominee Japhy Weideman on lighting and five-time Tony nominee Peter Nigrini on projections. Jerrica D. White serves as associate director and Quinton “Q” Robinson as associate music director. Casting is handled by Rachel Hoffman and Rashad Naylor of The Telsey Office for New York and Raiyon Hunter for D.C.
The production tells the story of TLC’s rise to fame through their catalog, including “Waterfalls,” “No Scrubs,” “Creep,” and “Unpretty,” going beyond the music to explore the creative tensions, personal tragedies, and unbreakable bond at the center of the group’s story.
“TLC’s music was the soundtrack to a very meaningful part of my life,” said Kwei-Armah. “The cast we have assembled is FIRE, and the creative team is out of this world. I haven’t been this excited in a long time.”
T-Boz and Chilli also responded to seeing their story take shape on stage. “The moment we saw Holli’, Jade, and Stoney bring our music to life onstage, we felt an immediate connection,” said Watkins. “They carry our story with authenticity and grace,” Thomas added.
Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif, who also serves as dramaturg on the production, described the show as one that “holds space for the music we love and the reality that lies behind it, making room for both the joy of their success and the complexity of everything that came with it.”
For D.C. locals and anyone planning to make the trip, there are several special event nights on the calendar. HBCU Night is set for June 23, with a post-show ’90s-themed party. Pride Night is June 17. Young Professionals Night is June 13, with happy hour starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $83, and Arena Stage offers a pay-your-age program for audiences 35 and under. Tickets and more information are available at arenastage.org/tlc.
