De Shields is Douglass in Free 'MINE EYES' Performance 2/9

In celebration of Black History Month, award-winning Broadway star André De Shields will perform Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance for one show only on Monday, February 9, 2009, 7:30 PM, at SEIU District 1199, 310 West 43rd Street. Presented by Actor's Equity Association's EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Committee, the performance is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Conceived, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, Mine Eyes is directed by Alfred Preisser, Artistic Director, Classical Theatre of Harlem, where Mr. De Shields has frequently performed.

Mr. De Shields notes that the months of January and February 2009 host "a constellation of precedent setting historic events: Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday (Jan 19); the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama (Jan 20); the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12) and the anniversary of Frederick Douglass' birth. In my performance, I explore The Life and achievements of the Great Emancipator, Frederick Douglass. Douglass began his life as a slave, through heroic efforts, became one of America's most important and historically influential African American leaders."

André De Shields is a multiple Tony Award nominee, and has appeared in numerous Broadway, Off Broadway and regional productions as well as television and film. He returns to Broadway this season in Impressionism, the world premiere of a new play by Michael Jacobs, which opens March 12. On Broadway, he appeared in the original casts of The Wiz, Ain't Misbehavin' (Emmy Award), Play On!, The Full Monty and Prymate. He also conceived, co-wrote, directed, and starred in Haarlem Nocturne. In 2007, he won the coveted OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence in Performance. His television credits include Cosby, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle and Life on Mars. He has served on Actor's Equity's Council since 1992.

Photo Credit: Lia Chang