Jimonn Cole (Hillary & Clinton) has joined the cast of Classic Stage Company's upcoming production of Marcus Gardley's black odyssey. Cole will play Paw Sidin, stepping in for the previously announced Keith Randolph Smith, who is leaving the production due to an ongoing injury.

The production begins performances February 9. Opening night is February 26, and the run will continue through March 26.

Cole joins a cast that also includes James T. Alfred (Jitney) as Deus, Tẹmídayọ Amay (School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play) as Benevolence, Harriett D. Foy (Amélie) as Aunt Tee, Marcus Gladney Jr. (Choir Boy) as Malachai Lincoln, Sean Boyce Johnson (For Life) as Ulysses Lincoln, Adrienne C. Moore (Orange is the New Black) as Alsendra Sabine, Lance Coadie Williams (Sweat) as Artez Sabine, and D. Woods (For Colored Girls…) as Nella P. Lincoln.

Gardley reimagines The Odyssey with a blend of classic mythology and African-American history as it follows a soldier named Ulysses Lincoln in modern-day Harlem. As he faces a daunting journey to reunite with his family, and seemingly without control over his own fate, his ancestors and their buried history help Ulysses as he makes his way home.

The production will feature set design by David Goldstein, costume design by Kindall Almond, lighting design by Adam Honoré, prop supervision by Alexander Wylie, music direction by Linda Tillery, co-music direction by Molly Holm, choreography by Aquila Kikora Franklin, and assistant direction by PJ Johnnie Jr. Jakob W. Plummer will serve as production stage manager and TaTyana Smith as assistant stage manager. Casting is by X Casting and Victor Vazquez.

Black odyssey was originally developed and produced at the Denver Center Theatre Company. Classic Stage Company originally planned to present the play last season, but ultimately had to postpone the production due to COVID-19.

For tickets and more information, visit ClassicStage.org.