La Jolla Playhouse sets ‘Blueprints’ cast

A play developed from the ground up at La Jolla Playhouse now has a full complement of actors lined up for its world-premiere staging this fall.

The Playhouse announced today that Michael Benjamin Washington will again lead the cast of “Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin,” as he did in the play’s earlier workshop incarnations.

Washington also happens to be the writer behind the piece, which explores the life and legacy of a key (but now neglected) figure in the civil-rights movement of the 1960s.

Also appearing in the show, a co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, will be Ro Boddie (a Helen Hayes Award winner for Forum Theatre’s “Angels in America” in Washington, D.C.) as Martin Luther King, Jr.; Mandi Masden (of Theatre for a New Audience’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) as Miriam Caldwell; Jonathan Peck (Classical Theatre of Harlem’s “Three Sisters”) as A. Philip Randolph; and Mat Hostetler (the national tour of “War Horse”) as Davis Platt Jr.

Washington plays Rustin, who orchestrated the pivotal 1963 March on Washington and whose status as a gay man (in a less tolerant time) complicated his career and legacy.

Washington’s acting credits include the Playhouse’s world-premiere production of “Memphis” (which went on to Broadway and the Tony Award for best musical); and a turn as the Tin Man in former Playhouse artistic director Des McAnuff’s production of “The Wiz.”

“Blueprints,” which is set to run Sept. 8 to Oct. 4 in the Playhouse’s Potiker Theatre before heading to Kansas City, is directed by Lucie Tiberghien (the Playhouse’s “Blood and Gifts.”) Tiberghien takes over from Tony Award-winner and “Cosby Show” star Phylicia Rashad, who is said to have scheduling conflicts. (She’s directing an upcoming concert version of “The Wiz” in Central Park.)

The piece was developed in the Playhouse’s DNA New Work Series, and had its first staged reading on Aug. 28, 2013, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Its creative team also includes Neil Patel (the Playhouse’s “American Night” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), scenic design; Beth Goldenberg, costume design; Lap Chi Chu (the Playhouse’s “The Orphan of Zhao” and “Ruined”), lighting design; Joe Huppert, sound design; John Narun, projection design; Gabriel Greene, dramaturg; and Peter Van Dyke, stage manager.

“Since its electric first reading on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, we’ve been deeply committed to Michael Benjamin Washington’s provocative new piece,” Playhouse artistic chief Christopher Ashley said in the cast announcement.

“With victories and setbacks to the cause of equality in the news every day, the ideas and themes of ‘Blueprints to Freedom’ call out urgently to us. We’re proud to welcome this dynamic and talented cast and creative team to illuminate Bayard Rustin’s quest for identity and redemption.”

Tickets and more details: (858) 550-1010 or lajollaplayhouse.org.