DUKE & ROYA
by Charles Randolph-Wright
Directed by Warren Adams
Performances begin June 10, 2025
Opening Night June 24, 2025
At the Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street
Producers Laura Ivey, Janet Brenner, Smada Media, and Get Lifted Film Co.’s John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius are pleased to announce the New York premiere of Duke & Roya by acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Blue) and directed by Warren Adams.
The cast will feature Jay Ellis (Top Gun: Maverick, “Insecure”), Stephanie Nur (“Lioness,” “1883”), Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni (“Only Murders in The Building,” Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and Dariush Kashani (Oslo, The Band’s Visit).
Performances will begin on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) for 11 weeks only, with an official opening on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
A bold new play about romance, identity, and culture, Duke & Roya tells the resilient love story of when Duke, an American hip-hop superstar, meets a fearless Afghan interpreter, Roya, in the heart of war-torn Kabul. They learn to navigate the stark realities of their worlds—his of global fame, hers of survival—through a romantic relationship that challenges their beliefs, risks their safety, and redefines what it means to fight for love. Led by Jay Ellis and Stephanie Nur, Duke & Roya explores high-stakes romance and the choices we make.
Duke & Roya is produced by Tony Award winners Laura Ivey and Janet Brenner, alongside Smada Media and Get Lifted Film Co.’s Emmy and Tony Award winner Mike Jackson, Emmy® Award winner Ty Stiklorius, and EGOT winner John Legend. General Management is by TT Partners.
“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 John Legend, Mike Jackson & Ty Stiklorius. “Jay Ellis and Stephanie Nur are exceptionally talented actors, and we’re so excited to present this play to New York audiences this summer.”
Tickets are available for an exclusive presale for Lucille Lortel Theatre members starting today, March 21st at lortel.org or in person at the box office.
Visit TodayTix.com or download the TodayTix app to access pre-sale tickets starting at 9:00 am on March 24th- March 26th.
Tickets will be on sale to the general public beginning March 27th at 9:00 am at www.dukeandroya.com and lortel.org or in person at the box office.