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<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Beck Center for
the Arts presents<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>August
Wilson’s Celebration of the Blues<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><b><i><span
style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Ma
Rainey’s Black Bottom</span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>January 30 –
February 22<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Directed by Sarah
May<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='text-align:center'><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Featuring Angela
Gillespie-Winborn<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoBodyText><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Lakewood, OH—</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>It’s 1927 Chicago,
and these blues musicians have a story to tell! The Beck Center for the Arts
presents Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson’s <b><i>Ma
Rainey’s Black Bottom</i></b> on the Mackey Main Stage, <b>January 30
through February 22</b>,<b> 2009</b>. This provocative drama, featuring many of
Ma Rainey’s great hit songs, examines timeless African American themes of
suffering, endurance, and the audacity of hope in Wilson's spellbinding voice.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The often hilarious <i>Ma Rainey’s
Black Bottom</i>, which takes place in a recording studio, deals with racism in
the music industry as a metaphor for the hopes, frustrations, and shattered
dreams of the African American community of the 1920s. Band members, waiting
for Rainey to arrive at the studio, banter and brag, joke, and share some of
the devastating tales of hard times and prejudice they have suffered. As
tensions escalate, the action can turn on a dime from funny to tragic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom</span></i><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>, when it premiered
on Broadway 25 years ago, was the triumphant debut of the new playwright August
Wilson, who would go on to become one of the greatest voices in American
Theater. The <i>New York Times</i> called it “funny, salty, carnal and
lyrical.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Beck’s production is directed by
acclaimed local director Sarah May and features Equity actor Angela
Gillespie-Winborn in the title role. Winborn most recently performed in The
Cleveland Play House's production of <i>Crowns</i> and has appeared in several
area productions of <i>Ain't Misbehavin'</i>. The strong supporting cast
includes Michael May as Levee, Anthony Elfonzia Nickerson-El<span
style='color:red'> </span>as Toledo, and Robert J. Williams as Slow Drag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“<i>Ma Rainey's Black Bottom</i> is a
perfect introduction to Wilson's unique voice and his astonishing body of work
documenting the African American experience. Here is a play overflowing with
blues music, robust humor, vibrant storytelling, and a cast of colorful
characters that bursts on the stage like a buoyant jam session,” says
director May. “This first professional Cleveland production of an August
Wilson play since his 2005 death is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest
playwrights of the 20th Century. It is an honor to celebrate his amazing gift
and share it with admirers and newcomers alike.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>This play is intended for a mature audience
due to language and subject matter.<span style='color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Cast of Characters<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:4.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Larry Arrington-Bey……….Cutler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Deja M. Foster……….Dussie Mae<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Angela
Gillespie-Winborn*……….Ma Rainey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Nathan A. Lily……….Sylvester/Choreographer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Michael May……….Levee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Anthony Elfonzia
Nickerson-El……….Toledo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Michael Regnier……….Irvin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Lawrence Seman……….Sturdyvant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dennis
Sullivan……….Policeman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Robert J. Williams……….Slow
Drag<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:4.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><i><span style='font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>*Member of the Actors' Equity Association
(AEA), the union of actors and stage managers.</span></i><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Production Staff<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:4.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Scott Spence……….Artistic
Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Sarah May……….Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Ed Ridley……….Music Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Tod Huffman……….Stage
Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Richard Gould……….Scenic
Designer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Aimee Kluiber……….Costume
Designer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Michael Boll……….Lighting
Designer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Richard B.
Ingraham……….Sound Designer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Joseph
Carmola………..Technical Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Elisa Hanna……….Assistant
Stage Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>For complete cast and staff bios go to <a
href="www.beckcenter.org"><span style='color:windowtext'>www.beckcenter.org</span></a>
and click on Who's Who in the Company.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Beck Center’s production of <i>Ma Rainey’s
Black Bottom</i> is produced through special arrangement with Samuel French
Inc. and is sponsored by National City, The WAVE 107.3, Cleveland Scene, Cox
Communications, the Ohio Arts Council, and LakewoodBuzz.com. <span
style='color:black'>Beck Center also gratefully acknowledges the citizens of
Cuyahoga County for their support through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors
(65 and older), and $17 for students (22 and under with ID). An additional $3
service fee per ticket is applied at the time of purchase. Preview night on
Thursday, January 29, is $10 with general admission seating. Group discounts
are available for parties of 13 or more. To reserve tickets, call the Beck
Center box office at 216.521.2540 ext. 10 or visit <a
href="http://www.beckcenter.org/"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:
none'>www.beckcenter.org</span></a>. For group sales, contact Linda Hefner at
ext. 29. Beck Center is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten
minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Beck Center for the Arts is a
not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater
productions on two stages, arts education programming in dance, music, theater,
visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies for special needs
students, and gallery exhibits featuring local and regional artists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>Posted by:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>Fran Storch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>Beck Center for the Arts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>Publications Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>17801 Detroit Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>Lakewood, OH 44107<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#5F5F5F'>(216) 521-2540 x20<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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