Tony Award nominee Sky Lakota-Lynch is joining the cast of “The King’s Critique,” a new musical comedy set to open in New York City this fall.
Produced by Art Lab Productions, led by producer Meg Fofonoff, and Jordan Fisher Theatrics, led by producer Jordan Fisher, the production will begin its limited engagement on Nov. 3, ahead of its official opening Nov. 12. Performances will take place at the Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center.
Lakota-Lynch joins an ensemble that includes Taylor Iman Jones, Justin Collette, Donna Lynne Champlin, Matthew Patrick Quinn, Gabi Carrubba, Gilbert L. Bailey II, Bridget Beirne, Nick Cearley, Christian Fary, Timothy Matthew Flores, Amy Jo Jackson, Geena Quintos and Justin Sudderth. Kyrie Courter and Ryan Everett Wood will serve as understudies.
The musical features music and lyrics by Nat Zegree and a book and lyrics by Eric Holmes. The production is directed by Catie Davis, with choreography by Nancy Renee Braun and a creative team spanning scenic, costume, lighting, sound and movement design.
“The King’s Critique” is set in a fictional kingdom where King Benjamin decrees that women are forbidden from performing onstage. Josephine, determined to challenge the rule, develops a plan involving Sebastian, a tenor, setting the stage for a series of complications and comic misadventures.
The production is being billed as an original musical comedy that combines a royal setting with backstage theater chaos. Zegree and Holmes are longtime collaborators who both attended Indiana University. Their previous musical, Fly More Than You Fall, was presented at London’s Southwark Playhouse in 2024.
For Lakota-Lynch, the production adds another major theater credit to a career that already includes two Broadway productions. He originated the role of Johnny Cade in the Broadway adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, directed by Danya Taymor. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical and a Grammy Award nomination. The Outsiders won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Lakota-Lynch previously made his Broadway debut as Jared Kleinman in Dear Evan Hansen. His screen credits include recurring roles on Marvel’s Iron Fist and Netflix’s animated series Spirit Rangers.
“The King’s Critique” follows a 2025 concept album featuring five songs from the musical, released through Joy Machine Records.
Tickets for the limited engagement are currently on sale, with performances beginning Nov. 3 and opening night scheduled for Nov. 12.