BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary

Episode: Stagecraft: Charles Randolph-Wright on Duke & Roya
Host: Jan Simpson
Guest: Charles Randolph Wright
Release Date: July 16, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Stagecraft, hosted by Jan Simpson, Charles Randolph Wright delves deep into his latest Broadway creation, Duke & Roya: A Love Story. Wright, a multifaceted talent with experience in producing, performing, directing, and writing across film, TV, and theater, shares the journey of bringing this compelling narrative to the stage.

Overview of Duke & Roya

Duke & Roya: A Love Story spans nearly a decade, beginning in 2017. The story follows Duke, a top-tier hip hop artist, who travels to Bagram Air Force Base in Kabul, Afghanistan, to perform for American troops. There, he meets Roya, an interpreter responsible for translating for the stationed personnel. Their unlikely romance unfolds amidst the chaos of war, bridging cultural divides and personal transformations.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [01:40]: “This is a story... in the midst of war, that crosses cultures and boundaries and different journeys.”

Genesis and Inspiration

Wright's inspiration for the play stemmed from an article about young women in Afghanistan, which profoundly impacted him. Unable to shake the narrative from his mind, he pursued the story during his writer's residency at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [02:27]: “I started pursuing it and I thought, how can I tell this? At that time, I was trying to travel to Afghanistan because I wanted to be authentic...”

Meeting a young Afghan woman studying in the U.S., who became a daughter figure to him, provided the emotional foundation for the play. This personal connection fueled Wright's dedication to authentically portraying Afghan women's experiences.

Production History and Evolution

Originally titled Love in Afghanistan, the play saw its initial production at Arena Stage but struggled to gain traction. It wasn’t until Warren Adams, then a co-choreographer at Motown: The Musical, advocated for the play that it began to gain significant attention. With endorsements from notable figures like Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, John Legend, and Kerry Washington, the project gained momentum.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [07:33]: “Warren Adams is now your director of your play.”

Over the years, Wright has reworked the play multiple times to reflect changing geopolitical landscapes, particularly the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Biden. These revisions have shifted the narrative’s timeframe and deepened its relevance.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [08:04]: “...now it's Duke and Wyatt, which to me is a different play completely than what it was.”

Characters and Themes

The play features four central characters, each undergoing significant development:

• Duke: A hip hop artist whose public persona belies his complex character. Wright chose him as a vessel to explore themes of misogyny and cultural intersection.

  Notable Quote:
  Charles Randolph Wright [15:39]: “I was trying to find a way into this story... I immediately thought, okay, this is this world of women who are mistreated...”

• Roya: An interpreter who becomes Duke’s love interest, representing the resilience of Afghan women.

• Desiree: Portrayed by Noma Dumaswene, she is the vice president of the World Bank, a character inspired by real-life diversity yet enriched with fictional depth through interactions with a British Nigerian VP.

  Notable Quote:
  Charles Randolph Wright [10:07]: “She literally... there were only three women of color who were that.”

• Saeed: Roya’s father and an interpreter, whose real-life counterparts face dire consequences post-withdrawal.

Contemporary Relevance

Wright emphasizes the play’s heightened relevance in light of recent events, particularly the decline in women’s rights in Afghanistan. By aligning the narrative with current affairs, Duke & Roya offers a poignant commentary on American imperialism and its human costs.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [02:22]: “... it's time now even more than it was 10 years ago, because women there have far less rights than they had even 10 years ago.”

Real-World Parallels

The play doesn’t just stay within its fictional boundaries; it reflects real-world issues faced by Afghan interpreters who assisted U.S. forces. Many of these individuals face persecution, and the play highlights their forgotten sacrifices.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [19:07]: “... sending them back to most of them to, you know, to death, to their demise or to prisons. They gave up their lives for us, and literally, we are sending them back.”

Themes of Survival and Identity

An intriguing aspect of the play is the incorporation of the practice known as Bacha posh, where girls are raised as boys to navigate oppressive societal norms. This theme underscores the lengths to which women must go to survive in restrictive environments.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [10:36]: “...the practice... is something that people did to survive.”

Conclusion

Duke & Roya: A Love Story is more than a romantic tale; it is a profound exploration of cultural intersections, gender struggles, and the often-overlooked human stories behind global conflicts. Charles Randolph Wright's dedication to authenticity and his nuanced character development make this play a significant contribution to contemporary theater.

Notable Quote:
Charles Randolph Wright [21:12]: “I appreciate you enabling me to voice what this is and the thrill of being able to tell a global story and to see four people together on stage, we have never seen on a stage, and that excites me.”

For those interested in exploring the depths of modern stagecraft and the impactful narratives that define Broadway, Duke & Roya stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging worlds and hearts.