Posted: Fri., Nov. 20, 2009, 2:11pm PT

Vereen, Parke topline Power play

Actors cast in 'Fetch Clay, Make Man'

By Gordon Cox

Vereen

Parke

Ben Vereen and Evan Parke will topline the world preem of Will Power's "Fetch Clay, Make Man" at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, N.J.

Production, helmed by Des McAnuff ("Jersey Boys"), also will star John Earl Jelks ("Radio Golf"), Richard Masur ("Democracy") and Sonequa Martin.

Vereen will portray actor Stepin Fetchit while Parke ("King Kong") portrays Muhammad Ali in the latest play by Power ("The Seven"). Story centers on the unlikely friendship formed in the 1960s between the two real-life figures.

McCarter run of "Fetch Clay" begins perfs Jan. 8 ahead of a Jan. 15 opening.