Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced today the cast and creative team for Fremont Ave., a searing and soulful new dramatic comedy where three generations of Black men face off against masculinity, identity, and the weight of silence passed down. This world-premiere play penned by Colman Domingo Award winner Reggie D. White (Lessons In Survival: 1971, Broadway’s The Inheritance) and helmed by two-time Helen Hayes Award winner Lili-Anne Brown (Baltimore Center Stage’s Ain’t No Mo’), will ignite Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater this fall, running October 8 – November 23, 2025, before it transfers to South Coast Repertory to anchor its Pacific Playwrights Festival in Spring 2026. For information and tickets, visit arenastage.org/fremont.
“Fremont Ave. exemplifies the kind of layered, courageous storytelling that defines our commitment to new work,” said Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif. “With humor, tenderness, and unflinching honesty, this story unpacks the silences that echo across generations with power and grace, in doing so, offers audiences permission to reflect on their own truth.”
Shuffling through time with the force of memory and the rhythm of Spades, Fremont Ave. meets young love and big dreams with buried resentment and unmet expectations. Around the card table, George, Robert, and Joseph confront quiet wounds and the weight of unspoken emotional truths. At the heart of it all sits Audrey, the family’s formidable matriarch: beloved, feared, and never forgotten. Served with the sharp wit and laugh-out-loud honesty only a card game could unleash, Fremont Ave. lays all cards on the table and dares audiences to do the same.
“When Fremont Ave. was presented as a reading during our 2024 Pacific Playwrights Festival, the immediate and enthusiastic audience response confirmed what we already knew — Reggie has written a beautifully moving play of substance and significance. With plenty of humor and heart, this work speaks across generations and encourages all of us to deeply consider — and reconsider — the humanity of our loved ones,” said David Ivers, South Coast Repertory Artistic Director. “It’s thrilling to partner with Arena Stage to give audiences on both coasts the opportunity to experience this extraordinary work, destined to become a classic.”
Cut from the finest deck, the players in Fremont Ave. include Doug Brown (Round House Theatre’s Nine Night), Bradley Gibson (Starz’s Power Book: II Ghost), Jerrika Hinton (ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy), Stanley Andrew Jackson (Roundabout Theatre Company’s The Refuge Plays), Kevin Mambo (Broadway’s The Color Purple), Wildlin Pierrevil (Broadway’s Tina), Jeffrey Rashad (The Old Globe’s Twelfth Night), and Galen J. Williams (Broadway’s Motown). Eli El (1st Stage’s The Piano Lesson), Dominique Gray (Keegan Theatre’s Hand to God), and Raven Lorraine (Theater Alliance’s Covenant) join the production as understudies.
Joining Brown and stacked like a winning hand, the creative team includes set designer Tim Mackabee (Broadway’s Frozen), costume designer Jos N. Banks (Goodman Theatre’s Fat Ham), lighting designer Kathy A. Perkins (Broadway’s Trouble in Mind), and original music and sound design by André Pluess (Broadway’s Good Night, Oscar). Gregory Geffrard (Berkeley Rep’s Treasure Island) serves as assistant director and intimacy consultant. New York casting is by Murane Casting, LA casting is by Joanne DeNaut, and DC casting is by Raiyon Hunter. The stage manager is Jamie Berry and the assistant stage manager is Lauren Pekel.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Doug Brown (Older George)’s other credits include Nine Night, Two Trains Running, Trip to Bountiful, Cuckoo’s Nest, A Lesson Before Dying, Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Pantomime, An Asian Jockey in Our Midst, and The Petrified Forest at Round House Theatre; Something Moving, Fences, Jitney, and Member of the Wedding at Ford’s Theatre; Our Lady of 121 Street, Fuddy Meers, Last Orbit of Billy Mars, Homebody/Kabul, Day Room, and, Measure for Pleasure at Woolly Mammoth Theatre; Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek, The Gin Game, The Island, and Mooi Street Moves at MetroStage; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Hambone, The Colored Museum, Spit Second, and Spunk at Studio Theatre; Much Ado About Nothing at The Folger Theatre; Otabenga at Signature Theatre; Jitney and The Piano Lesson at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville; Radio Golf and Gem of the Ocean at The Milwaukee Rep; Two Trains Running, Jitney, and Trip to Bountiful at The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Bradley Gibson (George/Robert/Joseph), a North Carolina native, is known on screen for starring in the Netflix drama Partner Track and the hit series Power Book II: Ghost. Bradley has starred as Simba on Broadway in Disney’s classic The Lion King, with additional Broadway credits including A Bronx Tale and Rocky. He also originated the role of Hercules in the premiere production of Disney Theatrical’s Hercules at Paper Mill Playhouse. Off-Broadway, his work includes Love’s Labour’s Lost with The Public Theater and The School for Scandal with Red Bull Theater. As a recording artist and concert soloist, Bradley has released original music including his latest singles NO ILYS and AIN’T THAT EASY, and has performed in venues from London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Hollywood Bowl.
Jerrika Hinton (Audrey/Voice of Hazel) is thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut after many years in front of the camera. Her recent/favorite credits include – The Piano Lesson (Netflix), Mr. Crocket (Hulu), A Man in Full (Netflix), Hunters (Amazon Prime), Here and Now (HBO) and Grey’s Anatomy (ABC). She is a proud graduate of Southern Methodist University and a member of both AEA and SAG-AFTRA unions. She is a certified facilitator of The Resilience Toolkit via Lumos Transforms, as well as Mental Health First Aid for the Entertainment Industry through AMHC.
Stanley Andrew Jackson (Walter) is overjoyed to make his Arena Stage debut! DC holds a special place in his heart—he was last seen here more than a decade ago in Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea at Source Theatre. Since then, he’s performed Off-Broadway in The Refuge Plays at Roundabout Theatre and most recently stepped into the role of Kenneth in Primary Trust at the Alley Theatre. His adventures have also taken him overseas with the Pop-up Globe Theatre company in New Zealand and Australia, performing in Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry V, and As You Like It. A proud graduate of Howard University (BFA Acting) and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London (MA Classical Acting), Stanley is thrilled to be “home” again.
Kevin Mambo (Older Robert) Broadway, Off-Broadway, and tour credits include Fela!, The Color Purple, and The Book of Mormon National Tour (Helen Hayes nomination); The History of Empires at La MaMa; Fortress of Solitude at Dallas Theater Center and The Public Theater (Lortel nomination); Mlima’s Tale at The Public Theater; Ruined at Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club; The Convert at Kirk Douglas Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and McCarter Theatre Center; Venus and Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek at Signature Theatre; Seven Guitars and Pericles at Two River Theater; The Last Detail at Lucille Lortel Theatre; Once Around the Sun at Zipper Factory Theater; The Tempest (Helen Hayes nomination) and Radio Golf (Helen Hayes win) at Roundhouse Theatre; and We Are Gathered at Arena Stage. Film credits include Rustin, Nina, Cadillac Records, Rebel in the Rye, Payback, One of Us Tripped, Firing Squad, Selah and the Spades, The Southside, Henchman of Notre Dame (Best Actor), Trooper, and Man in the Mirror. Television credits include Guiding Light (two Emmys, three nominations), Hit & Run, Luke Cage, Saint X, High Maintenance, The Good Doctor, Blacklist, Happyish, Soul Food, One Life to Live, Law & Order (Original/Deadline/SVU/Trial by Jury/Criminal Intent/Reboot), Spin City, Elementary, Any Day Now, Mistresses, Family Matters, Freshman Dorm, and Great Performances.
Wildlin Pierrevil (Frank / Understudy George/Robert/Joseph) is a writer and digital creator based in New York. With a following of nearly 1 million across digital platforms, Wildlin has collaborated with brands and creators that run the virtual gambit. He’s so excited to be back on stage making his Washington DC debut with the Arena and Fremont Ave. Shoutout to all the friends, family, and teams whose support have made his being here possible. My love to Steph, Reggie, and Dwayne.
Jeffrey Rashad he/him (Tony) is a proud graduate of Howard University (BFA) and The Old Globe/University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Acting Program (MFA). His recent credits include The Comedy of Errors/Two Trains Running (National Tour, The Acting Company); A Christmas Carol in Harlem (Classical Theatre of Harlem); Pass Over (Resident Ensemble Players); and multiple productions with The Old Globe, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Merry Wives of Windsor; The Taming of the Shrew; Twelfth Night; The Nineteenth; and Trouble in Mind. Jeffrey is thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Arena Stage.
Galen J. Williams (Damon) is thrilled to make his Arena Stage debut! He was last seen in the Helen Hayes Award Winning production of Fela! at Olney Theatre Center in the ensemble/Fela alternate. Broadway credits include Slave Play and Motown the Musical. Regional credits include Once on this Island at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and The Brothers Size at Geffen Playhouse. His silver screen debut was made this year in the box office smash One of Them Days starring Keke Palmer and SZA, and his television credits include POSE on FX and Tyler Perry’s The Oval and Assisted Living on BET. “Thank you to my family, friends, and team for your continued support!” MFA : University of Southern California, BFA: Howard University.
Eli El (Understudy Older George/Older Robert) is returning to Arena Stage after performing in The Great Society (2018). Other theater performances include The Piano Lesson (1st Stage), Testosterone and Migraaaaants (ExPats Theatre), AJAX (Scena Theatre), Radio Golf (Roundhouse Theatre), Fat Ham (Studio Theatre), A Thirst for Freedom (Live Garra) and many more. He has completed and is currently involved with several independent film projects (Once Upon a Time in The District, Unarmed Man, Harriet, The Meek, Last Night, THICK, etc.) Eli has directed The Healing Floor (DCBTF award winner). He also directed a feature film and two shorts The Cracked Mask and Lay Me Down. His motto is “you can learn from anyone, if only you allow yourself to.”
Dominique Gray (Understudy Damon/Tony/Walter/Frank) is excited to be making his Arena stage debut! Credits include Keegan Theatre’s Hand to God, Apropos of Nothing, and Imagination Stage’s 10 seconds and The Last Martyr. 2024 Graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.
Raven Lorraine (Understudy Audrey/Voice of Hazel) is a raconteuse from Richmond, Virginia currently working as an actor & director in DC. Select performance credits include: Covenant (Violet) at Theater Alliance (Helen Hayes Nomination: Outstanding Supporting Actor); Fela! (Ensemble) at Olney Theatre Center/Roundhouse Theatre (HH Award Outstanding Musical & Ensemble); King Lear (Ursula/Kent u.s. performed) & Much Ado About Nothing (Balthasar/Seacoal) at Shakespeare Theatre Company (HH Nomination Outstanding Production). Regional Credits: The Winter’s Tale, King Lear, Little Women, Sense & Sensibility, and Comedy of Errors at American Shakespeare Center; Curious Incident at Virginia Repertory Theatre; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Richmond Shakespeare. Raven is a Company Member with Only Make Believe and most recently Associate Directed the musical Play On! at Signature Theatre. Thanks to God, my family, & Onyx. For Karen.
Fremont Ave. runs October 8-November 23, 2025, in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 Sixth St SW, Washington, DC 20024. Tickets start at $49 and are available at arenastage.org. Tickets may also be purchased through the Sales Office by phone at 202-488-3300, Tuesday through Sunday, 12-8 pm, or in person at 1101 Sixth Street SW, Washington, DC Tuesday through Sunday, 2 hours before the show begins on performance days.
Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by phone at 202-488-4380.
Arena Stage’s many savings programs include “pay your age” tickets for those aged 35 and under; military, first responder, and educator discounts; student discounts; and “Southwest Nights” for those living and working in the District’s Southwest neighborhood. To learn more, visit arenastage.org/savings-programs.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7:30pm
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm
Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
Weekday matinees at 12pm on October 29, November 13, and November 19
*Times listed above are subject to change by performance. Please confirm on the website upon booking.
Early Curtain: Sunday, October 26 at 6pm
Southwest Nights: Evening performances from Wednesday, October 8 through Wednesday, October 15
Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, November 1 at 2pm
Mask-Required Performance: Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30pm
Closed Captioning: GalaPro begins Friday, October 17
College Night: Saturday, October 11 at 8pm
Pride Night: Wednesday, October 15 at 7:30pm
HBCU Night: Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30pm
Post-Show Conversations
Connect with the show beyond the performance at a post-show conversation on October 29 and November 13 following the 12pm matinees, and on November 4 following the 7:30pm performance.
ABOUT ARENA STAGE
The first racially integrated theater in our nation’s capital and a pioneer of the regional theater movement, Arena Stage was founded in 1950 in Washington, DC. Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is a national center dedicated to American voices and artists. Arena produces plays of all that is passionate, profound, deep, and dangerous in the American spirit, and presents diverse and groundbreaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Consistently contributing to the American theatrical lexicon by commissioning and developing new plays, Arena Stage impacts the lives of over 10,000 students annually through its work in community engagement and serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000.
ABOUT SOUTH COAST REPERTORY
Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964, is led by Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel. SCR is recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. While its productions represent a balance of classics, modern plays and musicals, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program — The Lab@SCR — which includes one of the nation’s largest commissioning programs for emerging, mid-career and established writers. Of SCR’s more than 550 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres. SCR-developed works have garnered two Pulitzer Prizes, eight Pulitzer nominations and scores of major new-play awards. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, SCR is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio.