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.
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.
Productions Skeleton Crew ran Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2016 and subsequently at the Detroit Public Theatre in 2017. The Atlantic production was directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
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. 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.
Skeleton Crew premiered in the United Kingdom at the Donmar Warehouse in July 2024 for a one-month run, directed by Matthew Xia.
Cast and characters CharacterOff-Broadway 2016Broadway 2021FayeLynda GraváttPhylicia RashadReggieWendell B. FranklinBrandon J. DirdenDezJason DirdenJoshua BooneShanitaNikiya MathisChanté Adams
Awards and nominations Original off-Broadway production Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result 2016 Obie Awards Special Citation: Collaboration Dominique Morisseau and Ruben Santiago-Hudson Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Distinguished Performance Lynda Gravatt
Original Broadway production Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result 2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Brandon J. Dirden Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Chanté Adams Phylicia Rashad Outstanding Director of a Play Ruben Santiago-Hudson Drama League Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Distinguished Performance Phylicia Rashad Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Outstanding Actor in a Play Brandon J. Dirden Outstanding Actress in a Play Phylicia Rashad Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Joshua Boone Tony Awards Best Play Best Featured Actress in a Play Phylicia Rashad Best Scenic Design in a Play Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong
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