Four African-American men in khaki miliary uniforms sing and dance on a mostly dark stage.
Photo of Mark Hairston, Christopher Wilson, Eric Berryman and Damian Thompson by Scott Suchman.

Fly

They fought for freedom abroad … and at home.

date September 21, 2012 — October 21, 2012

Based on the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen, Fly is the powerful story of four African-American military pioneers who proved themselves as officers and pilots during World War II.

The play follows these courageous heroes hailing from Chicago, Harlem, rural Iowa and the Caribbean as they train to fly combat aircraft. In spite of the overt racism they encounter, the men form a lasting brotherhood and fly with distinction, paving the way for the desegregation of the American military and the later Civil Rights Movement.

The production inventively combines live action, video footage and the inspirational “Tap Griot,” a dancing storyteller who expresses the anger, fear and triumph that the officers cannot. Co-author Ricardo Khan directs the Washington premiere of this patriotic tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen.

Part of The Lincoln Legacy Project.

Artistic Team

Written by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan
Director Richard Khan
Choreographer Hope Clarke
Scenic Design Beowolf Boritt
Costume Design Toni-Leslie James
Lighting Design Rui Rita
Original Music and Sound Design John Gromada
Projection Design Clint Allen
Fight Direction Rick Sordelet
Dialect and Voice Direction Leigh Wilson Smiley
Production Stage Manager Brandon Prendergast
Assistant State Manager Kate Kilbane
Production Advisor Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr.
Casting Pat McCorkle, CSA; Nicholas Stimler

Cast

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Omar Edwards

The Tap Griot

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Christopher Wilson

Chet Simpkins

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Eric Berryman

W.W.

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Mark Hairston

Oscar, Dance Captain

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Damian Thompson

J. Allen

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James Konicek

Captain O’Hurley/Instructor 2/Understudy

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Matt Bassett

Staff Sergeant/Instructor 1/Barman/Bomber Co-Pilot Shaw/Fight Captain/Undestudy

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Clark Young

Instructor 3/Colonel Snopes/Bomber Pilot Reynolds/Understudy

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Kahlil X. Daniel

Understudy

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Leo Manzari

Understudy

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