The cast and creative team of the upcoming Duke & Roya met the press at Starchild Rooftop at the Civilian Hotel ahead of its first performance on June 10 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

The cast features 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). 

Duke & Roya is written by acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Blue)and is directed by Warren Adams (SuperHero).

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  Get Lifted Film Co.’s Emmy® and Tony® winner Mike Jackson, Emmy® Award winner Ty Stiklorius, and EGOT winner John Legend and Naturi Naughton-Lewis & Take Two Entertainment. General Management is by TT Partners. 

Tickets are available now at www.dukeandroya.com and  lortel.org or in person at the Lortel Theatre box office.

Image credit: Tricia Barron