Love, identity, and culture clash in Duke & Roya, a powerful new play heading Off-Broadway this summer—and it’s bringing a stacked cast with it.
Kicking off June 10 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Duke & Roya stars Jay Ellis (Running Point), Noma Dumezweni (Only Murders in the Building), Stephanie Nur (Lioness), and Dariush Kashani (Oslo, The Band’s Visit). The show officially opens June 24 and will run for an 11-week limited engagement.
Written by Charles Randolph-Wright (Blue) and directed by Warren Adams (Superhero), Duke & Roya follows the story of Duke (Ellis), an American hip-hop star, and Roya (Nur), a bold Afghan interpreter, who meet in the middle of Kabul. What starts as an unlikely connection grows into a complex romance as they navigate their drastically different realities and the cultural barriers standing between them.
The show is produced by Get Lifted Film Co.—aka John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius—alongside Laura Ivey, Janet Brenner, and Smada Media.
“We’re thrilled to be producers on Duke & Roya—a daring and provocative work of art that is filled with humanity, compassion, and love,” said Legend, Jackson, and Stiklorius in a joint statement. “Jay Ellis and Stephanie Nur are exceptionally talented actors, and we’re so excited to present this play to New York audiences this summer.”
This cast is a whole lineup of talent. Ellis, best known for shaking up conversations as Lawrence on Insecure, brings stage experience from his time with Freestyle Love Supreme and continues to flex his range. Nur is building buzz following her role in Lioness and her upcoming appearance opposite Anthony Hopkins in Netflix’s Mary. Dumezweni, a force on both stage and screen, brings depth and presence that speaks for itself. And Kashani, with acclaimed Broadway credits to his name, rounds out a team ready to leave their mark.
With a story that dives headfirst into love, war, and everything in between, Duke & Roya isn’t just another summer show—it’s the one you’ll be talking about long after the curtain falls.
Grab tickets and more info at dukeandroya.com.