Levi Mngomezulu of Newtonville — a rising seventh grader at the F.A. Day Middle School — is starring in the world premiere of Kufre n’ Quay, by Emmy-nominated playwright Mfoniso Udofia, presented by The Boston Arts Academy and the Wheelock Family Theatre, July 10-26.
Kufre n’ Quay is the fifth installment in the sweeping nine-play Ufot Family Cycle, which follows three generations of a Nigerian American family. This fifth play tells the coming-of-age story of a 12-year-old boy who arrives in Harlem’s little Senegal from Nigeria in 2019. His friendship with 13-year-old African-American girl Quay exposes cultural differences and the realities of Black identity in America that the boy must learn to navigate.
The Boston Globe has called Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle “one of the most exciting things to happen in Boston theater in a long time.” The Ufot Family Cycle plays are all being produced in Greater Boston in their intended order by more than thirty-five partners over two seasons. Kufre n’ Quay was preceded by The Huntington’s 2024 production of Sojourners, The Grove (Winner of the 2025 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding New Script), the podcast of runboyrun, and Her Portmanteau. Each play in the Ufot Family Cycle is a standalone drama that enriches the cumulative experience.
F.A. Day Middle School seventh grader Levi Mngomezulu, who plays Kufre, has performed in plays since he was around five, in school plays and at theater camps. During the past year he performed in The Spongebob Musical at F.A. Day.
Levi learned of this play through a friend’s mom who told him she thought he would be good in the play. He auditioned starting In January and learned in April that he had won the role. Describing the play, Levi said that Kufre n’ Quay is about cultures coming together and people finding out how to create friendships.
“We are honored to produce this poignant play, Kufre n’ Quay, with the Wheelock Family Theatre in collaboration with the Huntington and the incredible Ms. Udofia,” said Maura Tighe, Boston Arts Academy’s artistic director. “The project is an opportunity for our students to engage in high level art making and explore work that is culturally relevant to their lives.” The play is directed by the Boston Art Academy’s award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, actor, and playwright John Oluwole ADEkoje.
Kufre n’Quay runs July 10 through July 26 at the Boston Arts Academy (174 Ipswich Street, Boston). Tickets to Kufre N’ Quay online.
