Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter and actor Luke James will star as Elijah in the new Broadway musical “Wanted.”
He joins previously announced cast members Solea Pfeiffer (“Hadestown”) as Mary Clarke, Liisi LaFontaine (“Moulin Rouge! The Musical”) as Martha Clarke and 16-time Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ledisi as Tallulah Clarke. “Wanted” begins previews at the James Earl Jones Theatre on Oct. 15. It opens on Nov. 8.
The show is based on a “mostly true story” set in Texas in 1893. It follows twin sisters Mary and Martha Clarke, Black women who pass for white, who are on the run. The pair are driven to desperate measures to save their mother and their family’s legacy.
“Wanted” features book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri, a descendant of the Sisters Clarke, and music by Ross Baum. The production is directed by Tony Award nominee and Obie Award winner Stevie Walker-Webb, with choreography by Chelsey Arce.
James has starred in long-running, critically acclaimed Paramount+ series “The Chi” as Victor “Trig” Taylor. He’s also a three-time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter. James was last seen on Broadway in 2021 in Keenan Scott II’s “Thoughts of a Colored Man.” Other credits include “Little” opposite Regina Hall and Issa Rae and the Amazon Prime series “Them: The Scare.”
In other news, New Ventures Entertainment, an entertainment media and production company, will be joining “Wanted” as general partners. “Wanted” is produced by P3 Productions. Additional creative team and casting will be announced at a later date.
The show was originally produced at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia in 2020 and was subsequently produced by Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey in 2024.
