Sophie Okonedo Puts Body, Soul, and Sweater Into ‘Crucible’

In this April 26, 2016 photo, actress Sophie Okonedo, who is starring in the Broadway revival of "The Crucible," poses for a portrait in New York. Okonedo was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the production. Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP

NEW YORK—It was the last day of 2015 and Sophie Okonedo was getting ready to go out and have fun at a New Year’s Eve party when she got an email that would keep her very sober indeed.

It was from the creative team of the Broadway revival of “The Crucible,” and they politely wanted to make sure that Okonedo would have all her lines memorized by the first day of rehearsals in a few weeks—and in an American accent.

“I thought, ‘Oh, my God.’ My New Year’s Eve party was ruined. I went into complete panic after that,” said Okonedo. “But I did come with all that ready. We all did.”

New Year’s Eve may have turned into a bummer, but audiences on Broadway this spring surely believe it was worth it. The revival of “The Crucible ” got four Tony Award nominations, including one for Okonedo.

In this April 26, 2016, photo, actress Sophie Okonedo, who is starring in the Broadway revival of "The Crucible," poses for a portrait in New York. Okonedo was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the production. Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP