Debbie Allen to Direct Alliance Theatre's TWIST, 9/1-10/3

Tony Award nominated actress Debbie Allen will direct the new musical TWIST at the Alliance Theatre from September 1 through October 3 as a part of the 2010-2011 season.

New Orleans. 1928. As the Roaring Twenties dance their way down Bourbon Street, an orphan in search of home finds family in the most unexpected places. This show is a hot new musical twist on the Dickens classic.

Tony Nominee William F. Brown, author of THE WIZ, joins forces with Grammy Award winning composer/lyricist Tena Clark - who has written for recording artists Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole, and composer Gary Prim on this heart wrenching musical of identity, belonging and family. TWIST marks the Alliance Theatre return of legendary director and choreographer Debbie Allen ("Fame"), fresh from her acclaimed Broadway and Olivier Award winning West End productions of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.

Debbie Allen made her Broadway debut in the chorus of PURLIE. Ms. Allen also created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award-winning musical RAISIN. She first began receiving critical attention in 1980 for her appearance in the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY which earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award. She received a second Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her performance in the title role of Bob Fosse's SWEET CHARITY.

In 2008 she directed the all-African-American Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, starring stage veterans James Earl Jones (Big Daddy), her sister Phylicia Rash?d (Big Mama) and Anika Noni Rose (Maggie, the Cat), as well as film actor Terrence Howard, who made his Broadway debut as Brick. The production, with some roles recast, had a limited run (2009-April 2010) in London.

Other productions in the Alliance Theatre's upcoming season include SAMMY AND ME (October 1-24), THE NACIREMA SOCIETY REQUESTS THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE AT A CELEBRATION OF THEIR FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS (October 20-November 14) and MIDDLE SCHOOL THE MUSICAL (October 23-30).

 

The production of THE NACIREMA SOCIETY REQUESTS THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE AT A CELEBRATION OF THEIR FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS will be co-produced with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery and will star Jasmine Guy.  Guy has been on Broadway in CHICAGO and GREASE and also has experience directing.  She's appeared on TV in "A Different World."

The holiday season will bring THE SECOND CITY: MIRACLE ON 1280 PEACHTREE STREET and A CHRISTMAS Carol To the stage from November 5-December 12 and November 26-December 24, respectively.

The season will also include Lin-Manuel Miranda's newest musical BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL (January 12-February 20), CARAPACE (February 11-March 6), HONK! (March 5-20), SPOON LAKE BLUES (April 1-24) and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (April 13-May 8).

For more information or to order tickets, visit online at www.alliancetheatre.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.