Daniel Kaluuya to Star in ‘Purpose’ Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Next Show ‘Grass’

Daniel Kaluuya will make his New York stage debut in “Grass,” a new play from Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

“Grass” traces a mother and son’s surreal, sprawling road trip through the American South marked by fantastical encounters with historical and allegorical figures. A press release describes “Grass” as “equal parts fantasia, memory play, and morality play” and a “surreal meditation on the limits of personal, ancestral, and national identity amidst social upheaval.” The play will have its world premiere Off Broadway at Park Avenue Armory, with opening night set for Feb. 26.

Jacob-Jenkins is the playwright behind Broadway hits including “Appropriate,” which starred Sarah Paulson, Corey Stoll, Natalie Gold, Elle Fanning and Alyssa Emily Marvin, and “Purpose,” led by Jon Michael Hill, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix and Kara Young. “Appropriate” was nominated for eight Tonys and won three, including best revival. “Purpose” was nominated for six Tonys and won two, including best play.

Kaluuya won an Oscar for Shaka King’s 2021 Fred Hampton biopic “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The British actor broke out in 2017’s Oscar-nominated “Get Out” and went on to star in movies such as “Black Panther,” Steve McQueen’s crime drama “Widows,” Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and Chris Rock’s “Mistry Green.” He’s also currently developing a live-action “Barney” movie for A24 and Mattel. On stage, Kaluuya appeared in several London productions including “Oxford Street,” “Sucker Punch,” “A Season in the Congo” and “Blue/Orange.”

“Grass” reunites Jacobs-Jenkins with director Sarah Benson and set designer Mimi Lien, who worked on his 2014 play “An Octoroon.” The creative team includes lighting designer Jane Cox and Stacey Derosier, sound designer Bray Poor, special effects designer Jeremy Chernick, costume designer Enver Chakartash and wig and makeup designer Cookie Jordan.