Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre to Present The First NY Revival of John Shévin Foster's PLENTY OF TIME, 4/4

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre, in association with Castillo Theatre, will present Plenty of Time by John Shévin Foster at the Castillo Theatre (543 West 42nd Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.). Performances begin April 4th with Opening Night set for Thursday, April 18th. Performances continue through May 5th only.

Jackie Alexander will direct and co-star with Traci Tolmaire. Plenty of Time will have set design by Tony Davidson, costume design by Ali Turns, and lighting design by Antoinette Tynes.

What happens when a spoiled, southern debutant and a Black Panther fall in love? It is 1968. Character's Corey and Christina meet in Oak Bluffs-a Black section of Martha's Vineyard. Christina is 17 years old and from an upper class family. Corey is 22 and a member of the Black Panther Party. Despite their obvious differences they are sexually attracted and share a passionate night together. The next morning, however, they begin to talk and their conflicting worlds unfold. Over the next thirty-three years they meet on the same annual date to continue their - sometimes-illicit - affair. We follow Christina's life, as she attempts to become a best selling author, and a member of New York Society, and Corey's, as he enters the world of politics and suffers the joys and pains of fatherhood. Each time they return to the small private beach house, they bring with them their personal growth and experiences, as well as, the effects of ongoing social and political changes in African-American (as well as American) history.

Plenty of Time had its US premiere at the National Black Theatre Festival, and was subsequently presented at the prestigious Schuster Theatre in Dayton, at the award winning Shadow Theatre in Denver, Colorado, and, most recently completed a five week sold out run at the Billie Holiday Theatre.

Dr. John Shévin Foster, arts administrator, playwright and director, works in both academic and professional theater arenas. He served as Artistic Director of the Department of Dramatic Studies at Shaw University, as the Director of Theatre at Virginia State University for eight years, and as Professor of Theatre at New York University. He is currently (for the past 7 years) the Education Manager and a Producer at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy Of Music, where, among other special programming, he produces "Poetry: Grand Slam," BAM's mainstage performance showcase of some of the best poets and hip-hop artists from around the world. During the past 6 years he has also worked with such shows as Macbeth (starring Patrick Stewart), Richard III (starring Kevin Spacey), Urban Bush Women, Alvin Ailey, Chuck Davis/DanceAfrica, and many others. Foster is also the founding Artistic Director of New York City Repertory Theatre. Under his leadership NYC Rep facilitated the Kellogg Foundation Grant and workshop performance for Bridges and Tunnel: Sarah Jones, which went on to win the 2006 Tony Award. Professionally, he has penned, directed and produced throughout the United States and in Great Britain. His work centers on accurate portrayals of the African-American community, and, the examination of the human experience. He is also preparing to direct the upcoming production of Melvin Shadd's Sketches of a Man. Previous works by Foster include Losing the Light at the 28th Street Theatre, My Name is African American (east coast tour), Fierce Pieces by NYC Rep.

Jackie Alexander, a native of New Orleans, is an accomplished actor, writer, producer, and director. His debut novel, Our Daily Bread, was published by Turner Publishing in the Fall of 2012. His debut feature film Joy was awarded Best Feature Film by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and also earned Best Actor and Best Screenplay honors for Jackie on the festival circuit. Stage directing credits include the world premieres of his critically acclaimed plays Brothers from the Bottom, The High Priestess of Dark Alley, The Legend of Buster Neal, The Desire, The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile, and Birthright; additional directing credits include the Off-Broadway Premiere of Plenty of Time at Primary Stages, Lemon Meringue Façade by Ted Lange, The Waiting Room by Tony Award nominee Samm-Art Williams, Losing The Light, The Resurrection of Alice, Finding Home, and Video Direction for the world premiere of Judi Ann Mason's multi-media play Storm Stories-True Stories From Hurricane Katrina. Jackie's direction of Plenty of Time was also honored with a production at the 2005 National Black Theatre Festival, while his plays The High Priestess of Dark Alley and The Legend of Buster Neal received that distinction in 2009 and 2011, respectively. A short list of stage acting credits include Plenty of Time, Acted Within Proper Departmental Procedure, Losing The Light, Imperfection Flawed, The Death of Bessie Smith, Romance, Revolution, & War, Tell Pharaoh, The Authors Voice, which he produced on Theatre Row, and the originating role of Prophet Solomon Jones in Raisin' Hell, a musical premiere by Motown legend Smokey Robinson. Jackie has been featured on two recordings Spoken Melodies and 1999's critically and socially acclaimed The Price of Freedom-The Amadou Project, both produced by the late jazz great Weldon Irvine. In 2010, the OBIE and AUDELCO award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre devoted its entire season to Jackie's work, commissioning him to write three new plays, and making him the first playwright in the thirty-eight year history of the theatre to receive such an honor. For more information, visit www.jackiealexanderproductions.com.

Traci Tolmaire is an actor, dancer, and singer from Chicago. Her theatrical credits include the national tour of red, black, and GREEN: a blues (MAPP International/Living Word Project); Anansi the Spider (Marin Theatre Company); Rejoice! (Lorraine Hansberry Theatre); IPH... a translation of Iphigeneia at Aulis by Euripides (Brava Theater/African-American Shakespeare Company); In the Wake (u/s Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Mirrors In Every Corner (Intersection for the Arts/Campo Santo); Susan Lori Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays series (Hartford Stage Company); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Fulton Opera House); and Trouble in Mind (Actor's Express). Traci also worked as choreographer for Hartford Stage Company's production of Gee's Bend and Rejoice! a holiday musical at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. For more information, visit www.tracitolmaire.com.

Woodie King Jr. is the Founder and Producing Director of New Federal Theatre. Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre has presented over 250 productions in its 42-year history. Mr. King has produced and directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, and in universities across the United States. He is the original producer of the ground breaking "choreopoem" For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, (The play was then co-produced by NFT with Joseph Papp's Public Theatre). He also produced What the Wine Sellers Buy, Reggae and The Taking of Miss Janie (Drama Critics Circle Award). His directional credits are extensive and include work in film as well as theater. Mr. King was recently inducted into The Theater Hall of Fame for outstanding contribution to the American Theater.

Performances will be Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets will be $25 and can be ordered through www.castillo.org or by phone at 212/941-5800.

For more information, please visit www.newfederaltheatre.com or call NFT at 212-353-1176.

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