By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

Atlanta director Kenny Leon didn’t have to look too far to find his composer for “Stick Fly.”

Alicia Keys, a producer of the Lydia R. Diamond play that begins previews at Broadway’s Cort Theater on Nov. 18, also will compose its music.

“As someone who walked up and down this boulevard as a young girl, I cannot describe the thrill of having the opportunity of composing songs for a Broadway show,” Keys said in a statement.

“Stick Fly,” opening Dec. 8, stars Dulé Hill, Mekhi Phifer, Tracie Thoms, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Rosie Benton and Condola Rashad. The play explores race, class and familial relationships among an extended well-to-do African-American clan on Martha’s Vineyard.

Leon is set to go into full rehearsals later this month, after his other Broadway play, Katori Hall’s already-in-previews “The Mountaintop,” opens Oct. 13 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

“It’s honestly been a dream come true,” Keys added about her assignment. “I love the humor and humanity of ‘Stick Fly,’ and I’m so excited to be a part of the emotional journey this show will take audiences on.”

Coming Sunday in Living & Arts: Melissa Ruggieri interviews “Mountaintop” playwright Katori Hall