The Ensemble Theatre to Present Romantic Comedy SASSY MAMAS

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season with SASSY MAMAS, a romantic comedy by Houston playwright Celeste Bedford Walker and directed by Eileen J. Morris, Opening Night and Media Reception, Thursday, September 22, 2016, 6:30 p.m.

"It's a play about empowerment for women and how they make their choices in life and to be open to different options at whatever season they're in," says Walker

NAACP Image Award-winning playwright Celeste Bedford Walker brings a delicate touch to her depiction of women of a certain age in her romantic comedy, SASSY MAMAS. A story about three women-yes, "cougars"-who confidently pursue younger men. These three friends, women of substance and life achievement, each finding herself in a uniquely single situation and decidedly takes a proactive approach to love. The younger men they've set their sights on come with their own unique situations that only add to the humor and antics!

"We can hardly contain our excitement as we kick off The Ensemble Theatre's 40th Anniversary," says Morris. "SASSY MAMAS has been a lot of fun to direct and I can tell audiences are in for one hysterical ride!"

Cast members include: Detria Ward, Alice M. Gatling, Michele Harrell, Kedrick Brown, Roc Living, and Steve Scott.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community. In addition to being the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team.

The Ensemble Theatre produces a main stage season of six contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The theatre's Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre; and the Young Performers Program offers intensive summer training for children ages 6 to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts.

Previews: September 17, 18, 19 Show Runs: September 22 - October 16, 2016. Performance Days and Times: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m; Fridays: 8:00 p.m; Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m; and Sundays: 3:00 p.m. Tickets Available Online: www.EnsembleHouston.com For Information Call: 713-520-0055. Ticket Prices: $23 - $44. Opening Night and Media Reception, Thursday, September 22, 2016, 6:30 p.m.