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Check out photos from last night's opening night performance of Duke & Roya. In attendance were producers John Legend and Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., Naturi-Naughton Lewis and Two Lewis, and special guests Adrienne Warren, André Holland, Quincy Williams, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Angela Yee, Bevy Smith and more. Duke & Roya stars Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Olivier Award winner and Tony® Award nominee Noma Dumezweni and Dariush Kashani. Duke & Roya is written by acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Blue) and directed by Warren Adams. The understudies for Duke & Roya are Ariana Afradi (Pieces), Shirine Babb (A Beautiful Noise), René David Ifrah (“Homeland”), and Jequrey Slaton (“Power Book II: Ghost”). 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...

Duke & Roya, written by Charles Randolph-Wright and directed by Warren Adams, is officially open at the Lucille Lortel Theatre! The new play stars Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni and Dariush Kashani. The understudies for Duke & Roya are Ariana Afradi, Shirine Babb, René David Ifrah, and Jequrey Slaton. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below! 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...

Duke & Roya is officially open at the Lucille Lortel Theatre! The new play stars Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni and Dariush Kashani. The understudies for Duke & Roya are Ariana Afradi, Shirine Babb, René David Ifrah, and Jequrey Slaton. Duke & Roya is written by acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright and directed by Warren Adams. 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. The creative team...

Check out reviews of Duke & Roya, opening tonight at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Duke & Roya is written by acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Blue) and directed by Warren Adams. Duke & Roya stars Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni and Dariush Kashani. The understudies for Duke & Roya are Ariana Afradi (Pieces), Shirine Babb (A Beautiful Noise), René David Ifrah (“Homeland”), and Jequrey Slaton (“Power Book II: Ghost”). 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...

Check out newly released production photos from Duke & Roya ahead of its opening night on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Performances began on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street), with an official opening on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Duke & Roya stars Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni and Dariush Kashani. Duke & Roya is written by acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Blue) and directed by Warren Adams. The understudies for Duke & Roya are Ariana Afradi (Pieces), Shirine Babb (A Beautiful Noise), René David Ifrah (“Homeland”), and Jequrey Slaton (“Power Book II: Ghost”). 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...

Emmy Award winning producer, actor and filmmaker Kerry Washington, Pilar Savone, and their Simpson Street production banner will join the producing team of Duke & Roya, adding to the production’s producing team of Get Lifted Film Co.’s Emmy and Tony winner Mike Jackson, Emmy Award winner Ty Stiklorius, and Egot winner John Legend, Naturi Naughton-Lewis & Take Two Entertainment, Laura Ivey, Janet Brenner and Smada Media. Additionally, the producers have announced the understudies for Duke & Roya completing the full cast. They are Ariana Afradi (Pieces), Shirine Babb (A Beautiful Noise), René David Ifrah (“Homeland”), and Jequrey Slaton (“Power Book II: Ghost”). Performances will begin tomorrow, 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. Duke & Roya features Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Noma Dumezweni (“Only Murders in The Building,” Harry Potter and...