ALL PHOTOS BY TayStan Photography
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
After A Strange Loop won big at the 2022 Tonys, Fort Worth’s Circle Theater announced the addition of the musical’s regional premiere to its 2025 season last year.
Playwright Michael R. Jackson’s musical explores identity, art and the inner turmoil of living in one’s truth. At the center of it all is Usher, a Black queer musical theater writer wrestling with his thoughts as he attempts to write a musical about a musical.
Appropriately, previews began on Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth — and for lead actor Kiba Walker, that was another magical moment about this experience. Then add in the fact that its happening during Pride Month, and it’s even better.
“Premiering this month, and the first preview on Juneteenth — I think [that] really welcomes the communities,” he said. “It’s so important this show is happening now and in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. We all need to be louder than ever right now.”
The Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning show previews Friday night and runs June 21-July 12.
Kiba Walker is a local stage and voice actor with a number of stage credits to his name. He also performs locally in drag as Salem Moon. But landing the lead role of Usher was a dream come true for the 30-year-old.
For Walker, Usher is basically a mirror. Plus, with the show being so fresh off of Broadway, Walker is early among actors who’ve portrayed the role.
“Usher is literally a Black, queer male living in the big city looking for their big break,” Walker said. “That’s literally me.
“Growing up, I never heard or saw anyone that looked like me. I grew up loving theater, but I was told I’d never be a leading man because of my skin color, my weight, my queerness,” he said. “Usher tries to understand his true self amid the same talk so he charts his own path. I feel that on a regular basis.”
The show has evoked self-doubt and self-confidence for Walker, but it also takes a deeper dive into not just queer identities, but his Black identity as well. In the story, Walker recognized conflicting feelings that Usher deals with in his own journey.
“There are those feelings being raised with a Black family and the church. So many perceive Usher as too Black or too femme, so he’s often held back by inner demons,” he said.
Those inner demons — or maybe just thoughts? — are portrayed by castmembers including Kris Black Jasper (Thought 1), Darius-Anthony Robinson (Thought 2), Landon Blanton (Thought 3), J. Dontray Davis (Thought 4), Quintin Jones (Thought 5) and Logan Rhys (Thought 6).
Director vickie washington (stylized without capitals) described A Strange Loop as a necessary piece of theater, and both she and Walker see the show as a Black queer story that can speak to everyone.
“Theater is sacred to me, it’s life giving and you never know who is in the audience needing what is happening on stage,” washington said. “This is Michael R. Jackson’s journey; it’s Usher’s journey. But wherever you fall in identity, this is real for any person.”
Walker agreed that Jackson’s story will have a bigger picture effect for audiences.
“To feel something from the theater or a story, that’s the beauty of this show. It applies to so many people but also, will speak loudly to our marginalized communities,” he said.
The director brings her own perspective to the show, particularly as a mother. But also, she finds that a motif in A Strange Loop centers on approval.
“I see my male children living their lives as adults, some who have lived in New York, and I see those artistic parallels. But with Usher as this Black queer person, the story has a deep level of specificity,” she said. “As he discovers who he is as a person, he learns that instead of seeking approval, he has to really figure out what he needs and what he deserves and works and then verbalize that.”
Of washington, Walker said that her perspective helped him shape Usher, particularly in deeper moments.
“First, she told us ‘This shit saves lives,’ and that’s what I needed to hear,” he said. “I think her perspective on the show has been helpful and unique. She saw it on Broadway. And she’s not afraid to really get into the darker, harder moments that were uncomfortable for me and that pushed me.”
Walker admitted he was nervous going into Thursday night’s preview, but also — well, he’s got this.
“This is my first professional theater show, but I am going to sing my heart out,” he said. “And really, this has been an amazing experience, and there really is truth in ‘it takes a village.’
We’ve created something beautiful here.”
For tickets, visit CircleTheater.com.