Virginia Repertory Theatre to Stage BUFFALO SOLDIER

Virginia Repertory Theatre opens Buffalo Soldier, the story of Richmond native Jones Morgan, February 3rd at the Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn. The show runs through February 26th.

Written by Virginia Rep's founding producer Bruce Craig M iller , Buffalo Soldier tells the fascinating story of one of the last living Buffalo Soldiers. It was selected by the Pentagon as a morale booster after 9/11, and became the first professional play in history to be performed within the Pentagon's walls.

This production is directed by John Moon. Recent credits for Virginia Rep include This Wonderful Life, T he Maggie Walker S tory, and Treasure Island.

The role of Jones Morgan is shared by Jim Bynum as older Morgan and Josh Marin as younger Morgan. Bynum is a veteran on Virginia Rep's stage, having most recently appeared in las t season's I Have a Dream. Marin returns to Richmond from New York City. He most recently appeared at Virginia Rep in 2015's Peter and The Starcatcher and The Color Purple, and he w ill also be appearing in Violet for Cadence Theatre in partnership with Virginia Rep.

The cast also includes Thomas E. Nowlin ( Junie B. Jones, The Musical, The House at Pooh C orner, Mame, The Color Purple for Virginia Rep), AdrIan Grantz ( I Have A Dream for Virginia Rep) an d Anthony Cosby ( Dre amgirls, Mame, The Color Purple for The Story of Richmond's Jones Morgan, one of the last of the nation's legendary Buffalo Soldiers. Virginia Rep).

Music direction is from Jason Marks, who was recently seen onstage in 1776 and was a co-creator of last s eason's Croaker, The Frog Prince Musical. Costume Design is from Sarah Grady ( Dr e amgirls, Goodnight Moon, Charlotte's Web) and lighting design is from Skyler Broughman ( The Golden G oose, This Wonderful Life, Goodnight Moon).

Buffalo Soldier is part of the Acts of Faith Theatre Festival. On Sunday, February 19th, Virginia Rep will host a panel discussion following the performance discussing the role faith played among Buffalo Soldiers and its effect on Jones Morgan's story. On February 11, Lt. Col. Glenn E. Johnson from North Carolina will be at the performance to present a commission for Jones Morgan to Bruce Miller.

Virginia Rep is thrilled to offer a new FREE Community Tickets Grant for nonprofit organizations. We encourage all organizations who have a demonstrated need for complimentary tickets to fill out a short application at bit.ly/CommunityTix.

Contact the Box Office at 804-282-2620 or go online at www.virginiarep.org for more information. Full Price Tickets: $16; Discounted Group Rates available.

Virginia Repertory Theatre is the regional professional theatre in Richmond, Virginia. With a budget of $5 million, four distinct venues, an educational touring arm, and an annual audience over 530,000, Virginia Rep is one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia. Virginia Rep stages four seasons annually: the Signature Season at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, Theatre Gym Season in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, Virginia Rep's Children's Season at Willow Lawn, and the Hanover Tavern Season.

Pictured: AdrIan Grantz, Josh Marin, Jim Bynum, Thomas E. Nowlin, Anthony Cosby. Photo by Jay Paul.