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world premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's 'We Are Gathered' from May 16 to June 15, 2025. This play explores queer love and commitment with a modern twist on Shakespearean comedies. Tickets are available at arenastage.org/gathered.">
world premiere, Fichandler Stage, queer love, Shakespearean comedy, Washington D.C., theatre, play, Moonlight, Kent Gash, Kyle Beltran, nic Ashe, Nikkole Salter, Love Takes Center Stage">
world premiere of Tarell Alvin mccraney's 'We Are Gathered' from May 16 to June 15, 2025. This play explores queer love and commitment with a modern twist on Shakespearean comedies. Tickets are available at arenastage.org/gathered.">
News Staff">
Arena Stage Announces World Premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s ‘We Are Gathered’
Washington, D.C. – Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is preparing to unveil the world premiere of Moonlight
screenwriter Tarell Alvin mccraney’s latest work, We are Gathered. This production, a story weaving together queer love and forest magic, will take place on the Fichandler Stage from May 16 to June 15, 2025. The play promises a modern twist on Shakespearean wedding comedies, exploring the complexities of love and commitment. Tickets and further details are available at arenastage.org/gathered.
A Modern take on Love and Marriage
Tarell Alvin McCraney, the oscar-winning screenwriter behind Moonlight
, delves into the intricacies of modern relationships with We Are Gathered. The play centers on W. Tre and Free, two men who find love unexpectedly in a park. As their anniversary approaches, they grapple with the question of whether their connection is a fleeting encounter or a lasting bond. The narrative explores themes of fear, secrets, and the challenges of navigating long-term commitment with humor and heart.
McCraney shared his inspiration for the play, stating:
I write plays about questions that I have. Right now, I’m wondering about marriage. Is it for me? Is it even possible?
Tarell Alvin McCraney
This personal exploration forms the foundation of a play that promises to resonate with audiences contemplating the meaning of marriage and partnership in the 21st century. The play examines the evolving definition of commitment in a world where customary norms are constantly being challenged and redefined.
The Cast and Creative Team
The production boasts a talented cast, with Kyle Beltran (Netflix’s Inventing Anna
) playing W. Tre, Nic Ashe (Ava DuVernay’s Queen sugar
) as Free, and Nikkole Salter (Arena Stage’s Stick Fly
) portraying MS MS/Punkin.Kent Gash, known for his work on Ford’s Theater’s the Wiz
, directs the play, leading a team of creatives. The full cast and creative team will be announced at a later date.
Gash expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying:
My collaboration with Tarell Alvin McCraney is among the most fulfilling and rewarding of my directing career. I have been challenged, delighted, enthralled, enriched, and uplifted by Tarell’s inspired use of language, his endless reinvention of form, and his commitment to rich and multi-dimensional stories of Black lives.
Kent Gash
The collaboration between McCraney and Gash promises a powerful and moving theatrical experience, blending McCraney’s poignant storytelling with Gash’s visionary direction.
Love Takes Center Stage: An Immersive Experience
Adding a unique dimension to the theatrical experience, Arena Stage is offering couples the chance to participate in Love Takes Center Stage, an immersive event where they can exchange marriage vows on stage during select performances of We Are Gathered. This remarkable possibility allows couples to celebrate their commitment within the context of the play’s themes of love and partnership.
McCraney elaborated on the play’s exploration of love and commitment:
I always thought that my queerness, my black queerness, was too political to think about marriage or the construct of marriage. And then I fell in love, over and over, and quickly realized that there was something…almost indiscernible about wanting to spend your life with someone.A feeling that took root in your heart, and you stopped caring about the political and even the social; suddenly, you could feel a connection on the verge of spiritual. What happens when you run out of excuses? What happens when you look up and see the face of the person you want to spend the rest of your life with staring back at you? Well, you celebrate! You must. This a play about that.
tarell Alvin mccraney
Couples interested in participating in Love Takes Center Stage can apply online at arenastage.org/lovestory. This innovative approach blurs the lines between performance and reality, creating a deeply personal and unforgettable experience for participating couples and audience members alike.
Ticket Information
We Are Gathered will run from May 16 to June 15,2025,at the Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American theater,located at 1101 6th Street SW,Washington,DC 20024.Tickets start at $59, plus applicable fees. Ticket prices and availability are subject to change. Arena Stage offers various savings programs, including “pay your age” tickets for those aged 35 and under, military, first responder, and educator discounts, student discounts, and “Southwest Nights” for residents and workers in the District’s southwest neighborhood. More information on savings programs can be found at arenastage.org/savings-programs.
tickets can be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 (Tuesday-Sunday, 12-8 p.m.), or in person at the sales office at 1101 6th Street, SW, DC, two hours before a performance.
Unveiling the Magic: An Intimate Look at Tarell Alvin McCraney’s ‘We Are Gathered’
Is marriage—even the idea of it—losing its relevance in modern society? Or is it simply being redefined? This deeply personal question,explored through the lens of queer love and Shakespearean comedy in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new play,compels us to rethink our understanding of commitment.
Interviewer: Dr.Evelyn Reed, welcome.As a leading scholar of contemporary dramatic literature and LGBTQ+ portrayal in theater, you’ve had the prospect to review early drafts of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new play, We Are Gathered. Can you offer our readers an insightful overview?
Dr. Reed: It’s a pleasure to be here. We Are gathered truly is a fascinating piece of work. McCraney masterfully blends elements of Shakespearean romantic comedy with a distinctly modern, queer sensibility. The play doesn’t shy away from the complexities of contemporary relationships, especially the challenges faced by same-sex couples considering long-term commitments like marriage—that’s a vitally notable aspect, from my personal perspective, given the ongoing evolution of marriage equality and societal acceptance. The core narrative centers on two men, W. Tre and Free, whose unexpected love blossoms into a question: is this a fleeting romance or the foundation of a lifelong partnership? This central conflict drives the dramatic tension beautifully. We see them navigate fear, secrets, and the anxieties inherent in making lasting commitments.
Interviewer: The play is described as having a “modern twist on Shakespearean wedding comedies.” Can you elaborate on how McCraney achieves this unique blend?
Dr. Reed: Absolutely.McCraney retains the lighthearted spirit and witty banter reminiscent of Shakespearean comedies like A Midsummer night’s dream or The Taming of the Shrew, while concurrently subverting conventional patriarchal structures and heteronormative narratives around marriage. The “forest magic” mentioned in the promotional materials isn’t literal; it represents the unexpected, transformative power of love that blossoms in unconventional settings. This metaphorical approach allows McCraney to explore the magic and wonder of connection without relying on traditional romantic tropes.
Interviewer: The casting of Kyle Beltran and Nic Ashe as W.Tre and Free, respectively,
Unveiling the Magic: An Intimate Look at Tarell Alvin McCraney’s ‘We Are Gathered’
Is marriage—even the idea of it—losing it’s relevance in modern society? or is it simply being redefined? This deeply personal question, explored through the lens of queer love and Shakespearean comedy in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new play, compels us to rethink our understanding of commitment.
Interviewer: Dr. Evelyn Reed, welcome. As a leading scholar of contemporary dramatic literature and LGBTQ+ portrayal in theater, you’ve had the opportunity to review early drafts of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s new play, we Are Gathered. Can you offer our readers an insightful overview?
Dr. Reed: It’s a pleasure to be here.We are Gathered truly is a fascinating piece of work.McCraney masterfully blends elements of Shakespearean romantic comedy with a distinctly modern, queer sensibility. The play doesn’t shy away from the complexities of contemporary relationships, especially the challenges faced by same-sex couples considering long-term commitments like marriage—that’s a vitally notable aspect, from my personal viewpoint, given the ongoing evolution of marriage equality and societal acceptance. The core narrative centers on two men, W. Tre and free, whose unexpected love blossoms into a question: is this a fleeting romance or the foundation of a lifelong partnership? This central conflict drives the dramatic tension beautifully. We see them navigate fear, secrets, and the anxieties inherent in making lasting commitments.
Interviewer: The play is described as having a “modern twist on Shakespearean wedding comedies.” Can you elaborate on how McCraney achieves this unique blend?
Dr. Reed: Absolutely. McCraney retains the lighthearted spirit and witty banter reminiscent of Shakespearean comedies like A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Taming of the Shrew, while concurrently subverting conventional patriarchal structures and heteronormative narratives around marriage. The “forest magic” mentioned in the promotional materials isn’t literal; it represents the unexpected, transformative power of love that blossoms in unconventional settings. This metaphorical approach allows McCraney to explore the magic and wonder of connection without relying on customary romantic tropes. He cleverly uses the comedic framework to address serious questions about commitment and societal expectations in a nuanced and engaging way.
Interviewer: The casting of Kyle Beltran and Nic Ashe as W.Tre and Free, respectively, is generating critically important buzz. what are your thoughts on their suitability for these roles?
Dr. Reed: The casting choices are excellent. Beltran and ashe are both talented actors capable of portraying the emotional depth and comedic timing required for these complex characters. Their previous work demonstrates a range that perfectly suits the blend of humor and heartfelt emotion present in We Are Gathered. The actors’ individual strengths will undoubtedly enhance the play’s exploration of the emotional complexities inherent in navigating a long-term commitment in the 21st century.
Interviewer: The play explores themes of fear and secrets within the context of a same-sex relationship. How does mccraney manage to make these themes both relatable and engaging for a broad audience?
Dr. Reed: McCraney masterfully avoids didacticism. He uses humor and relatable situations to approach sensitive material.The challenges faced by W. Tre and Free are not presented as unique to same-sex relationships but rather as worldwide aspects of human connection and commitment. Fear of vulnerability, the weight of secrets, and anxieties about the future—these are all timeless human experiences skillfully woven into the narrative, making it resonant for a diverse audience.
Interviewer: what are your overall impressions of We Are Gathered? What makes this play stand out in the contemporary theatrical landscape?
Dr. Reed: we Are Gathered is a significant contribution to contemporary drama. It’s a work that’s both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. mccraney’s ability to blend comedic elements with profound explorations of love, commitment, and self-discovery is truly remarkable. In a world that’s constantly redefining relationships and societal norms, this play offers a timely and relevant perspective on the enduring complexities of human connection. The play’s clever blend of Shakespearean influences with a modern, queer sensibility, combined with the masterful performances predicted from the cast promises to leave audiences both entertained and deeply moved.
key takeaways:
Modern queer Sensibility: The play features a modern take on Shakespearean comedy, specifically addressing modern queer relationships.
Relatable Themes: Explores universal challenges of commitment and vulnerability, not just those unique to same-sex relationships.
Masterful Blend of Humor and Emotion: Uses wit and relatable situations to address sensitive themes thoughtfully.
Thought-provoking: Prompts discussion around societal norms and the evolving definitions of relationships and marriage.
We encourage you to share your thoughts on this insightful analysis and what you expect from this remarkable theatrical production in the comments below!