Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In a refreshing change of pace, Charles Randolph-Wright gives us an unabashed love story in DUKE & ROYA

• By drediman
• July 20, 2025
• No Comments

This summer, in a refreshing change of pace from the status quo, Charles Randolph-Wright has given playgoers an outright, unabashed love story of the likes of classic Hollywood films like The English Patient. The play is Duke & Roya, which has settled for a summer-long run at Off-Broadway’s classic Lucille Lortel Theatre. In short, the global romance spans time and space as it tells the unlikely love story between an international hip-hop star and an Afghan interpreter — the titular Duke and Roya, respectively — who meet when when the former visits Afghanistan in 2016 to perform for U.S. troops at an airbase located not too far away from Kabul. In the ensuing years, their star-crossed affair takes twists and turns against the panoramic backdrop of war and intrigue.

There’s much to commend about Randolph-Wright’s new work. As a veteran playwright, he knows how to construct scenes that implore viewers to lean forward and immerse themselves in the moment of the drama. As such, there are rich pleasures to be had as the title characters gradually learn more about each other and themselves over the span of almost a decade. The same can be said of the play’s two other characters — Duke’s accomplished, high-powered mother Desiree and Roya’s charismatic father Sayeed — both of whom find themselves increasingly intertwined in their children’s lives and fates. The sprawling tale has been richly manifested in Warren Adams’ slickly staged production, efficiently traversing Afghanistan, Canada, Dubai, and multiple concert stages around the world (the convincing rap/hip-hop verses come courtesy of Ronvé O’Daniel), thanks largely to Wilson Chin’s smart, flexible scenic design and Amina Alexander’s dynamic, cinematic lighting design.

The performances from the quartet of actors are excellent across the board, starting with Jay Ellis and Stephanie Nur as Duke and Roya. Ellis exudes natural magnetism, easy charisma, and seductive spontaneity that makes him an ideal fit as a pop superstar. Just about opposite in temperament is Nur’s Roya — self-possessed, measured, yet fiercely intelligent. She’s also absolutely gorgeous. One of the pleasures of watching the play is witnessing her warm up to Duke’s considerable charms and show flashes of her real personality. Suffice to say, the chemistry between Ellis and Nur is palpable. As their respective parents Sayeed and Desiree, Dariush Kashani (handsome and gregarious) and Noma Dumezweni (commanding and regal) give performances that bring welcome depth to Randolph-Wright’s world-building.

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DUKE & ROYA
Off-Broadway, Play
Lucille Lortel Theatre
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through August 23