Skeleton Crew (play)

Skeleton Crew
2021 Broadway production poster
Written byDominique Morisseau
CharactersFaye
Reggie
Dez
Shanita
SeriesThe Detroit Project
SettingDetroit, Michigan, 2008
Premiere
Date premieredJanuary 6, 2016 (2016-01-06)
Place premieredAtlantic Theater Company

Skeleton Crew is a play written by Dominique Morisseau about an auto factory on the brink of closure in 2008 Detroit, Michigan. It is the third part of Morisseau's Detroit Project, inspired by African-American playwrights, which also includes Paradise Blue and Detroit '67.[1]

Plot

Set in Detroit in 2008, the play follows the workers of an automotive factory, known as the skeleton crew, led by Faye, currently experiencing homelessness. As a longtime employee and union representative who has spent 29 years on the line, she currently works alongside Dez and Shanita. When factory supervisor Reggie reveals that the factory is set to close, Faye must choose between protecting her own stability and standing in solidarity with her fellow workers.[2][3]

Productions

Skeleton Crew ran Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2016 and subsequently at the Detroit Public Theatre in 2017.[4][5][6] The Atlantic production was directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.[7]

It ran on Broadway as a limited-run engagement at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre from December 2021 through February 2022, with Ruben Santiago-Hudson returning as director and starring Phylicia Rashad as Faye.[8][9] It was one of a series of Broadway shows in the 2021–2022 season written by Black playwrights, and parallels were identified between the play's story and the Omicron surge under which its run fell.[10][11]

Skeleton Crew premiered in the United Kingdom at the Donmar Warehouse in July 2024 for a one-month run, directed by Matthew Xia.[12]

Cast and characters

Character Off-Broadway 2016[13] Broadway 2021[14]
Faye Lynda Gravátt Phylicia Rashad
Reggie Wendell B. Franklin Brandon J. Dirden
Dez Jason Dirden Joshua Boone
Shanita Nikiya Mathis Chanté Adams

Awards and nominations

Original off-Broadway production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref.
2016 Obie Awards Special Citation: Collaboration Dominique Morisseau and Ruben Santiago-Hudson Won [15]
Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated [16]
Distinguished Performance Lynda Gravatt Nominated

Original Broadway production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref.
2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play Nominated [17]
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Brandon J. Dirden Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Chanté Adams Nominated
Phylicia Rashad Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Play Ruben Santiago-Hudson Nominated
Drama League Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Nominated [18]
Distinguished Performance Phylicia Rashad Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Nominated [19][20]
Outstanding Actor in a Play Brandon J. Dirden Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Play Phylicia Rashad Won
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Joshua Boone Nominated
Tony Awards Best Play Nominated [21]
Best Featured Actress in a Play Phylicia Rashad Won
Best Scenic Design in a Play Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong Nominated

References

  1. ^ Monaghan, John (2016-05-04). "A look at Dominique Morisseau's Detroit trilogy". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  2. ^ Green, Jesse (January 26, 2022). "Review: In 'Skeleton Crew,' the Line Between Blue and White Collar Blurs". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  3. ^ "Skeleton Crew Broadway Review". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  4. ^ "Skeleton Crew". Atlantic Theater Company. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  5. ^ "Season Three". Detroit Public Theatre. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  6. ^ Riefe, Jordan (2018-06-15). "'Skeleton Crew': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  7. ^ Brantley, Ben (2016-01-20). "Review: 'Skeleton Crew,' a Tale of Autoworkers in Hard-Hit Detroit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  8. ^ "Skeleton Crew". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  9. ^ Green, Jesse (2022-01-27). "Review: In 'Skeleton Crew,' Making Quick Work of Hard Labor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  10. ^ White, Abbey (2022-02-19). "How 'Skeleton Crew' Addressed Broadway's Biggest Challenges During a Difficult Winter Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  11. ^ Appler, Michael (2022-01-27). "'Skeleton Crew' Star Phylicia Rashad on Broadway's Return: 'Mastery Continues, and Theater Artists and Audiences Are Grateful for This'". Variety. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  12. ^ "SKELETON CREW — BY DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU". www.donmarwarehouse.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  13. ^ Bahr, Sarah (January 14, 2016). "Review: Dominique Morisseau's 'Skeleton Crew' Delivers Powerful Drama". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  14. ^ "Skeleton Crew Broadway Review". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  15. ^ "2016". ObieAwards.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  16. ^ "Drama League Awards 2016 - And the winners are..." New York Theatre Guide. 2016-05-20. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  17. ^ Gans, Andrew (2022-04-26). "Nominees for 71st Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards Announced". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  18. ^ "2022 Drama League Award Winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  19. ^ Gans, Andrew (2022-05-16). "Six, Kimberly Akimbo Lead 2022 Drama Desk Award Nominations; See the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  20. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2022-06-08). "Clyde's, Company, SIX: The Musical Lead 2022 Drama Desk Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  21. ^ "Skeleton Crew". TonyAwards.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
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