Theatre Three Cancels Next Theatre Too Production THE EMPRESS, THE LADY, AND THE PEARL PART II; MISS BILLIE AND MISS FREDDIE

Theatre Three has canceled the production of The Empress, The Lady, and The Pearl Part II; Miss Billie and Miss Freddie. The show was scheduled to run March 23-April 16 in the Theatre Three's downstairs performance space Theatre Too. The show will not be replaced on the Theatre Too 2016-17 season. Ticket holders will be refunded in full.

"This piece is a very personal project between three wonderfully talented artists that have a great history, and hopefully, a great future with our theater," states Theatre Three Managing Director Merri Brewer. "Unfortunately, during this exciting time of artistic transition, our focus is rightly on preparing the announcement of our 56th season, and the details of mounting this production are not able to be worked out at this time. Part One was a financial and artistic success for Theatre Three, and we would not want to give Part Two anything less than our full attention. It was not an easy decision."

The original piece is a working collaboration between local playwright Dianne Tucker, cabaret favorite Denise Lee and Theatre Three's former Acting Artistic Director Bruce R. Coleman telling the story of Billie Holiday, the famed Lady Day, and her traveling companion, Miss Freddie.

The next Theatre Too show, The Birds, will be produced and run as scheduled (May 25 - June 18).