Firebrand Theatre to Host JUKE JOINT Benefit Concert at The Den Theatre

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to present JUKE JOINT, an evening of gritty blues songs performed by some of Chicago's best female talent on Monday, July 25 at 9 pm at The Den Theatre, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Conceived and directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead, the benefit concert will feature songs by celebrated artists including Nina Simone, Nikka Costa, Amy Winehouse, Etta James, Bessie Smith, Jill Scott, and many others.

Tickets for JUKE JOINT ($25 general admission, $20 industry) are available at the door or in advance at firebrandtheatrejukejoint.brownpapertickets.com. Doors open at 8:30 pm.

JUKE JOINT will feature Chicago performers Angela Alise, Karla L. Beard, Lili-Anne Brown, ELisa Carlson, Sydney Charles, Rashada Dawan, Sharriese Hamilton, Donica Lynn, Meghan Murphy, Alexis J. Rogers, Bethany Thomas, Lina Wass and Jayson Brooks (of J.C. Brooks and the Uptown Sound). The seven-piece band includes Nick Davio, Adam DeGroot, Ethan Deppe, Katie Hickey, CharLes Roberts and Jake Saleh.

Proceeds from JUKE JOINT will support Firebrand Theatre, Chicago's first musical theatre committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage.

"The juke joint is where you can go and get yourself a drink or four, and hear some low-down, gutbucket musical truth administered by funky soul priestesses," comments Director Lili-Anne Brown. "You'll want to dance a dirty boogie, or testify, or both. I hear there might be Harold's Chicken if folks act right and don't start no mess."

Adds Firebrand Co-Artistic Director Harmony France, "Lili-Anne Brown has built a legacy in Chicago of high quality stage work that illuminates under-represented voices. She is a natural fit for Firebrand and we couldn't be more thrilled to work with her."

Firebrand will be announcing its first full season shortly, with the first performance slated for Spring 2017. The new company is currently focused on fundraising, including an Indiegogo campaign. For additional information on Firebrand Theatre, visit firebrandtheatre.org.

FIREBRAND THEATRE is a musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding their opportunities on and off the stage.

?Pictured: The cast of Firebrand Theatre's JUKE JOINT (top, l to r) Angela Alise, Karla Beard, Lili-Anne Brown, ELisa Carlson, Sydney Charles and Rashada Dawan (bottom, l to r) Sharriese Hamilton, Donica Lynn, Meghan Murphy, Alexis Rogers, Bethany Thomas and Lina Wass.