Luke James Returns to Broadway for New Musical ‘Wanted’

Acclaimed singer and actor Luke James is officially returning to the Broadway stage this fall. The multi-talented performer has been cast as Elijah in the highly anticipated new musical, Wanted.

James joins a stellar ensemble that includes previously announced cast members Ledisi as Tallulah Clarke, Solea Pfeiffer as Mary Clarke, and Liisi LaFontaine as Martha Clarke. The production is inspired by the compelling, mostly true story of twin sisters Mary and Martha Clarke. Set in Texas in 1893, the narrative follows the sisters—Black women who pass for white—as they navigate the dangerous complexities of life in two Americas while fighting to protect their family’s legacy and secure their own future.

Wanted marks a significant return to the theater for James, whose last Broadway appearance was in the 2021 production of Thoughts of a Colored Man. That play, which explored the lives of seven Black men in Brooklyn, featured an impressive cast including Keith David, Tristan “Mack” Wilds, Dyllón Burnside, Bryan Terrell Clark, Da’Vinchi, and Forrest McClendon.

The production is scheduled to begin previews on October 15 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, with an official opening night set for November 8. The musical features a book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri, a descendant of the Sisters Clarke, with an original score composed by the award-winning Ross Baum.

Beyond his theatrical pursuits, James continues to maintain a busy schedule in film and television. He recently concluded his starring role in the acclaimed series The Chi, which wrapped its eight-year run this past May. Additionally, he appeared in the second installment of Prime Video’s horror anthology, Them: The Scare. On the musical front, James recently contributed his vocals to the Reasonable Doubt season three soundtrack on the track “Mad World,” alongside Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, following the success of his 2021 Grammy-nominated album, To Feel Love/d.