Jeffrey Wright will star in the upcoming production of 'A Free Man of Color,' a new play by John Guare that is being directed by George C. Wolfe.

Also featured in the play are 'American Violet' actress Nicole Beharie, Mos Def, Peter Bartlett, Arnie Burton, Rosal Colon, Veanne Cox, Paul Dano, Sara Gettelfinger, Joseph Marcell, Nick Mennell, Teyonnah Parris, Brian Reddy, Reg Rogers, Triney Sandoval, Robert Stanton, Wendy Rich Stetson and David Emerson Toney.

'A Free Man of Color' is a freewheeling epic set in 1801 New Orleans. Jacques Cornet, the title character (Wright), is a new world Don Juan and the wealthiest inhabitant of this sexually charged and racially progressive city. Jacques thinks all is well in his paradise until history intervenes, setting off a chain of events that no one, much less this free man of color, realizes is about to splinter the world.

'It's one of the most exciting plays that I've read since 'Angels and America,' Wright told Black Voices in an earlier interview.

Wolfe will make his Lincoln Center Theater debut with this production.

A former producer at the Public Theater, Wolfe's Broadway directorial credits include 'Caroline or Change,' 'Topdog/Underdog,' 'Elaine Stritch at Liberty,' 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk,' 'The Tempest,' 'On the Town,' 'The Wild Party,' 'Jelly's Last Jam' and 'Angels in America.' His film credits include 'Lackawanna Blues' and 'Nights in Rodanthe.'

Wright and Mos Def played opposite each other in Suzan-Lori Parks' Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Topdog/Underdog.' The duo also starred together in the 2008 musical film 'Cadillac Records,' which also featured Beyonce.

Performances for 'Free Man of Color' begin on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, in New York City. Opening night is Thursday, Nov. 18, at 6:45 p.m.