Detroit Public Theatre Brings The Holler Sessions Home

Detroit Public Theatre is set to bring Frank Boyd's solo performance play celebrating American Jazz, The Holler Sessions to its stage February 1-26. Tickets ($20-$45) are on sale now at www.detroitpublictheatre.org or in person at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra box office.

The Holler Sessions, staged as a live radio show, centers around one man's burning obsession for American jazz. Ray, an explosive jazz DJ, broadcasts his love of this uniquely American art form from his shoddy studio with an infectious passion. Ray's maniacal rants, razor-sharp insights, and mildly scatological humor are interspersed with truly spectacular music while giving his audience true room for listening. The Holler Sessions serves as an electrifying jazz primer for the uninitiated, a powerful reminder for jazz fans, and an irreverent love letter to the best thing America has ever created - and forgotten.

Written and performed by Frank Boyd, The Holler Sessions premiered in Seattle at On the Boards in 2015. Its development has been supported by On the Boards, the TEAM, Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Sojourn Theatre with touring support from the Foundation For Contemporary Arts EmergenCy Grant.

Frank Boyd, an East Lansing native, is a Seattle-based writer and actor. He is a member of the NYC ensembles Elevator Repair Service and the TEAM with whom he as performed in Gatz (Public Theater), The Select (New York Theater Workshop), Architecting (Public Theater, PS122) and Particularly In the Heartland (PS122). In 2015/16 Frank also performed on tour with Young Jean Lee's Theater Company in Straight White Men. Other theater credits include: A View From the Bridge (Seattle Repertory Theater) and the world premieres of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Seattle Times Footlight Award) at Book-It Repertory Theatre, and Red Speedo at the Studio Theatre in DC. TV and film credits include: Z Nation, Guiding Light, Almost Family and B.U.S.T. Frank is an alumnus of NYU.

The Detroit Public Theatre production of The Holler Sessions is being produced in cooperation with the TEAM. Rachel Chavkin and Josh Aaseng are consulting directiors. Other designers include Eric Southern (Scenic and Lighting), Matt Hubbs (Sound), and Dani Prados (Production Manager). Performances begin with previews on Wednesday, February 1, and Thursday, February 2. Preview performances are $35 with a limited number of "Pay What You Can" (PWYC) tickets available. Opening night is Friday, February 3, with performances through Sunday, February 26. A complete schedule follows. Tickets ($20-$45) are available now online at www.detroitpublictheatre.org and in person at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra box office.

Student and Senior discounts are available in person at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra box office or by calling (313) 576-5111. Group discounts are available by calling (313) 974-7918. Tickets are also available for the show's official opening night performance Friday, February 3, at 6:00pm for $75 by calling (313) 576-5111. Opening night tickets include pre-show and post-show receptions with the company.

The performance schedule for The Holler Sessions is:

Wednesday, February 1 @ 8pm (Preview: $35 / PWYC)
Thursday, February 2 @ 8pm (Preview: $35 / PWYC)
Friday, February 3 @ 6pm (Opening Night: $75)
Saturday, February 4 @ 8pm ($45)
Sunday, February 5 @ 2pm ($35)

Friday, February 10 @ 8pm ($45)
Saturday, February 11 @ 8pm ($45)
Sunday, February 12 @ 2pm & 7pm ($35)

Wednesday, February 15 @ 2pm ($35)
Thursday, February 16 @ 8pm ($35)
Friday, February 17 @ 8pm ($45)
Saturday, February 18 @ 8pm ($45)
Sunday, February 19 @ 7pm ($35)

Thursday, February 23 @ 8pm ($35)
Friday, February 24 @ 8pm ($45)
Saturday, February 25 @ 8pm ($45)
Sunday, February 26 @ 2pm & 7pm ($35)

The Detroit Public Theatre's generous 2016-17 Season Sponsors are The Detroit Shoppe and Doner. The remaining season includes:
The Harassment of Iris Malloy
May 3-28, 2017
For the final production of the 2016-17 season, Detroit Public Theatre is proud to present a rolling world premiere. In Zak Berkman's new drama, a single mother places a bet on a new life after an intimate encounter with a decorated senator, and the fallout will change them both forever. The Harassment of Iris Malloy is an epic political thriller that challenges us to explore power, privilege and parenthood.

All Detroit Public Theatre performances take place at The Robert A. and Maggie Allesee Rehearsal Hall inside the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit MI 48201. Season subscriptions are always available by calling (313) 576-5111.

About the TEAM
Founded in 2004, the TEAM is an internationally acclaimed Brooklyn-based ensemble. Four-time winners of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award and ranked "Best of 2013" on 3 continents, the TEAM is dedicated to making new work about the experience of living in America today, crashing American history and mythology into modern stories to illuminate the current moment.

About Detroit Public Theatre
Detroit Public Theatre is a non-profit organization producing world-class plays and programs with world-class writers, directors, actors and designers in the heart of Midtown Detroit's thriving cultural district. Fearless, fresh and made in Detroit, the company's productions strive to illuminate the thrills, joys and challenges of our shared human experience. More information on Detroit Public Theatre and its productions, programs and tickets is available online at www.detroitpublictheatre.org or by calling (313) 974-7918.

Photo Credit: Maria Baranova.