Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train is currently showing at London’s Young Vic from 14th of February. Directed by Kate Hewitt this black comedy is set in the notorious New York Rikers prison. It features a young Puerto Rican man, Angel Cruz (Ukweli Roach) who is awaiting trial for shooting a religious cult leader.
The Artiscape spoke with Ukweli Roach on his role as Angel in the play:
How did Roach research his role?
“I read, watched and discussed multiple very disturbing documentaries about the US Prison system, and about young men in jail for the first time (and what that does to someone’s psyche)” he explains.
“I also lived and worked in Brooklyn New York for almost 2 years [while filming Blindspot] between 2015 and 2017, in a very Puerto-Rican and Dominican area which turned out to be very helpful in my portrayal of Angel Cruz!” adds Roach.
What was the most challenging scene you had to do in the play?
“The most challenging scene I think was Act 2 scene 2” explains Roach “we
Another moment he jokingly adds was a scene where he and American actor Oberon K A Adjepong, who plays Lucius, had to throw cigarettes and matches back and forth to each other over the cage doors.
The play has some interesting characters. We asked Roach what
“I find both Lucius and Valdez very interesting,” he said “They are polar opposites in many ways but also strikingly similar. I find it ironic that Valdez is convinced he is a “good man”, whatever that means.”
Finally we asked Roach what he thought an audience would take away from the play;
“I think this play forces people to ask interesting and challenging questions about morality, faith and the failings of the Industrial Private Prison System” explains Roach.
Jesus hopped the ‘A’ Train runs at the Young Vic in London until 6th of April. To book visit their website.
