Crossroads Theatre Company to Present LETTERS FROM ZORA, Begin. 10/9

Crossroads Theatre Company opens the 2014-15 season with the One Pearl and a Sphinx production of Letters From Zora: In Her Own Words, a one-woman show delving into noted author Zora Neale Hurston's controversial views on segregation, integration and social justice. Written by USC professor Gabrielle Denise Pina with an original score by Ron McCurdy, this daring piece showcases a life filled with artistic triumphs as well as abject poverty and self-doubt. Directed by Anita Dashiell-Sparks, Hurston's personal letters create an authentic multi-sensory dramatization brought to life by veteran actress Vanessa Bell Calloway in a production that will illuminate Hurston's words, life and distinct view of the jazz-age era.

Award-winning fiction novelist and playwright Gabrielle Pina declares, "Letters from Zora is an untold story about unbridled creativity who succeeded in a very difficult time in (African-American) history. It's a 3-demensioal representation of her life - a woman who reveled in her superior intellectual capacity. So audiences will laugh and cry."

Producing Artistic Director Marshall Jones, III states "I was really moved because the script was based on her actual letters. The play was developed with Zora's Estate so I appreciated that authenticity. To top it all off with Vanessa's gripping, humourous and insightful performance - that's a winning combination!"

Gabrielle Denise Pina, faculty member at the University of Southern California, where she, along with fellow USC colleagues Ron McCurdy and Anita Dashiell-Sparks, created Letters From Zora. Pina is nominated for the NAACP Theatre Awards for Best One Person Show along with Vanessa Bell Calloway, who is also nominated for Best Lead Female for Letters >From Zora. Calloway's extensive career began on the Broadway stage in Dreamgirls before transitioning to television and film. Her works include Shameless, What's Love Got To Do With It, Love Don't Cost a Thing, among many others.

The creative team for Letters from Zora: In Her Own Words includes:

Manuel Prieto - Original Scenic Design
Phil Kong - Lighting Design
Mylette Nora - Costume Designer

Margie Labadie - Projections Designer

Performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24, 25; 3 p.m. Oct. 12, 18, 19, 25, 26. Ticket prices are $35 to $55. Opening night is Saturday, October 11.