'American Son': Release date, plot, cast, trailer, and everything you need to know about the Broadway play on Netflix
Netflix has officially announced the release date for its Broadway stage-to-screen adaptation of Christopher Demos-Brown's 'American Son'. If you cannot head to New York to watch the play on Broadway, you can catch it on Netflix.
The story revolves around an interracial couple who reunite in a Florida police station desperate for answers about their missing teenage son. Exploring the themes of family and love, the play is a highly acclaimed portrayal of recent times.
When Netflix announced the adaptation, Cindy Holland, Netflix's VP of original content had said, "'American Son' powerfully explores themes of family, love, and identity. We are honored to work with Kerry Washington, Kenny Leon, Christopher Demos-Brown and the entire cast to bring this story from the Broadway stage to our members around the world."
Release date
'American Son' is scheduled to release at Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2019, following which it will be released on Netflix on November 1, 2019.
Plot
Here is the official synopsis released by Netflix: "Based on the acclaimed Broadway play, the Netflix Television Event 'American Son' tells the story of Kendra Ellis-Connor (Emmy-nominee Kerry Washington), the mother of a missing teenage boy, as she struggles to put the pieces together in a South Florida police station. Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan, and Eugene Lee also reprise their roles in the adaptation which presents four distinct viewpoints, while also navigating the unique dynamic of an interracial couple trying to raise a mixed-race son."
Cast
Kerry Washington as Kendra Ellis-Connor
Washington plays the role of the mother of a missing teenage boy. "[The story] is timely, but also I think it’s been part of the historic DNA of what it is to be an African-American mother, just to worry for the safety of your child," Washington had said about her role. "Part of all mothering is the lack of control over this other human being who, once they’re outside your body, makes their own decisions and has their own dangers. But there’s the added layer of powerlessness as a black mother because of the institutionalized racism and the cultural practices that endanger black children."
The actress is best known for her role of Olivia Pope in 'Scandal', for which she received two nominations for two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She earned another Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role of Anita Hill on 'Confirmation'.
Steven Pasquale
Pasquale is known for his role of Sean Garrity in 'Rescue Me', 'Six Feet Under' and 'Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem'.
Jeremy Jordan
Jordan is known for his role of Jack Kelly in the musical 'Newsies' and of Clyde Barrow in the musical 'Bonnie & Clyde'. On television, you will remember him from his role of Winn Schott on 'Supergirl'.
Creators
'American Son' by Christopher Demos-Brown is directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Washington and Pilar Savone executive produce under Washington’s banner Simpson Street. Jeffrey Richards and Rebecca Gold will also be serving as executive producers.
Trailer
If the trailer for ‘American Son’ is any indication, the show is going to be incredibly tense and uncomfortable.The trailer begins with what can only be called racial profiling as the police officer Larkin (Jeremy Jordan) asks a visibly distressed Kendra (Kerry Washington) about identifiers for her missing son: Scars, tattoos. “Gold teeth” and “street names”. The institutional racism is further highlighted when Larkin at the sight of a well-dressed white man (Steven Pasquale) and exclaims how Kendra went “from zero to ‘ghetto’ in nothing flat”. To his chagrin, the man, Scott Connor, turns out to be the missing boy’s father.As the trailer moves ahead, the racial discomfort gives way to a familial one; the parents, after all, are estranged. “ “You’re the one who disappeared from his life. You walked out on him,” Kendra tells Scott. The sound of rain and does little to assuage the tension in the police station; tension between races, the tension between distressed parents and the authorities, the tension between a now-broken couple.
Where to watch
'American Son' is scheduled to release on Netflix on November 1, 2019.
News
After ruling primetime television for seven years straight, in the hit legal drama, 'Scandal', Kerry Washington took the leap to Broadway with 'American Son'. In a recent interview with a leading daily, Washington shared her experience of jumping from broadcast to the stage. She said post her high-flying role of Olivia Pope in 'Scandal', being on the stage was quite challenging. "That’s the last thing I thought I’d do, because Broadway is hard!", she said.
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