Kenyan-Mexican actress and author Lupita Nyong’o is set to make her highly anticipated return to the stage alongside her brother, Junior Nyong’o.
The siblings have been cast as Viola and Sebastian, the famous twins in William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, as part of the Free Shakespeare in the Park series.
This marks the first time Lupita and Junior will perform together professionally, an experience she describes as deeply meaningful.
“I can genuinely say that we’ve been preparing for these roles all our lives,” Lupita shared with her fans on Instagram.
For fans of Shakespeare, theater, or the Nyong’o siblings, this is a rare opportunity to see a world-class performance in an unforgettable setting. Mark your calendars and prepare for a night of laughter, drama, and sibling magic under the summer sky.
With its themes of mistaken identity, love, and revelry, Twelfth Night is a perfect play for audiences of all backgrounds. Shakespeare’s works remain timeless, and this production is set to bring fresh energy to the classic comedy.
A Beloved Tradition
Free Shakespeare in the Park is an annual event that offers free performances of Shakespeare’s plays in an outdoor setting, making high-quality theater accessible to the public.
The tradition dates back to 1954, when visionary director Joseph Papp founded the Shakespeare Workshop in New York City, which later evolved into The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park.
Over the years, the event has attracted top-tier actors and drawn thousands of theater lovers to Central Park’s Delacorte Theater.
The upcoming production of Twelfth Night, directed by Saheem Ali, promises to be a spectacular event, featuring a star-studded cast. Joining Lupita and Junior Nyong’o on stage will be acclaimed performers such as:
- Bill Camp
- Daphne Rubin-Vega
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson
- Peter Dinklage
- Moses Sumney
- Sandra Oh
The performances will run from August 7 to September 14 at the newly revitalized Delacorte Theater, an iconic venue that has hosted legendary Shakespeare productions for decades.
The Nyong’o Siblings: A Tale of Two Careers
While Lupita Nyong’o is widely recognized for her film career, her brother, Junior Nyong’o, has carved out a niche for himself in the theater world.
His past stage credits include The Tragedy of King Lear (2024), Outsider: A New Musical (2023), and In the Red and Brown Water (2022).
Lupita, on the other hand, has established herself as an international star, with major film credits such as:
- 12 Years a Slave (2013) – for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
- Black Panther (2018)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Her return to the stage is highly anticipated, as she first made a name for herself in theater before transitioning to film.
by KELVIN NJENGA
