From Issa Rae to Debbie Allen, Lena Waithe attracts celebs to Baltimore for ‘trinity’

Since arriving in Baltimore to debut “trinity,” Lena Waithe has put her Hollywood Rolodex to work.

There was Issa Rae, seated in a plush booth last month at Mount Vernon bar Bloom’s, raising a glass of Prosecco to her friend. Then came actresses Debbie Allen, La La Anthony and Meagan Good for more post-performance chats. Even celebrities who couldn’t get to Baltimore, from Gayle King to Kerry Washington, purchased tickets to give away to local theatergoers.

The procession of celebrity support for Waithe’s first play has brought increased attention to “trinity” and, in turn, the city’s theater scene. It’s helped put people in seats, too: “trinity” was extended a week, through Sunday, at Baltimore Center Stage due to demand. All remaining dates are sold out, with a waiting list of hopefuls in case tickets become available, according to Tyrone Manning, senior director of marketing and communications for Center Stage.

Waithe, who wrote and stars in “trinity,” said in an email that Baltimore is getting “the shine it absolutely deserves.”

“Folks are loving Baltimore and what it has to offer in terms of food, energy, and culture,” Waithe said of her famous pals.

During “trinity’s” run, which began Feb. 12, Waithe has joined special guests onstage for a post-performance conversation about the emotionally charged play, which focuses on characters named A, B and C, and their complicated relationships with love, loss and grief. The production is directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, Center Stage’s artistic director.

Aside from “Insecure” creator Rae and six-time Emmy winner Allen, talk-back hosts have also included author Iyanla Vanzant, rapper Vic Mensa and children’s author Jacqueline Woodson, a 2020 MacArthur Fellow.

Onstage, Allen commended Waithe “for giving us so much food for thought.” The play deals with regrets and the human desire to want another chance.

“We all want a do-over. We don’t get it. But this was something to make us think about in our own lives. You make us think about our everyday relationships and what they are,” Allen said to cheers in the crowd.

Others supported “trinity” from afar, purchasing tickets that were gifted to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis. Actress and social media star Tabitha Brown offered up 100 tickets, while Washington and husband Nnamdi Asomugha bought 50 to give away, as did “CBS Mornings” host King and Baltimore native Jada Pinkett Smith.

The support means a lot to Waithe, a writer and actress who became the first Black female Primetime Emmy winner for comedy writing for “Master of None” but is new to theater.

“Everyone was so excited to come down or buy tickets,” Waithe said. “This is a time for community and showing up for each other. And I felt so supported and seen.”