Public Theater Begins THE GOOD NEGRO Previews 3/3

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews on Tuesday, March 3 for Tracey Scott Wilson's THE GOOD NEGRO, which will run through Sunday, April 19 with an official press opening on Monday, March 16. Directed by Liesl Tommy and presented in association with Dallas Theater Center, THE GOOD NEGRO is the first new play to transfer from the Public LAB initiative to a full main stage production at The Public.

The cast for THE GOOD NEGRO features Joniece Abbott-Pratt (Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?), Francois Battiste (Prelude to a Kiss on Broadway), J. Bernard Calloway ("Rescue Me"), Quincy Dunn-Baker (Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park), Erik Jensen (Spain at MCC), LeRoy McClain (Cymbeline at Lincoln Center), Curtis McClarin (King Hedley II at Signature), Rachel Nicks (Life Support) and BrIan Wallace (A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep).

THE GOOD NEGRO is a gripping new play that rips through the pages of history to uncover the human story at the heart of the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. In the increasingly hostile South, tensions build as a trio of emerging black leaders attempts to conquer their individual demons amidst death threats from the Klan and wire taps by the FBI. Through personal and intimate stories inspired by the political upheavals of the era, THE GOOD NEGRO examines the human frailties behind the historic headlines.

THE GOOD NEGRO will feature scenic and costume design by Clint Ramos; lighting design by Lap Chi Chu; and sound design by Daniel Baker.

TRACEY Scott Wilson (Playwright). Her current work includes The Story, produced at The Public Theater. Additional productions include Order My Steps for Cornerstone Theater's Black Faith/AIDS project in Los Angeles; and Exhibit #9, which was produced in New York City by New Perspectives Theatre and Theatre Outrageous; Leader of the People, produced at New Georges Theatre; two ten-minute plays produced at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis; a ten minute play produced at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Tracey has had readings at the New York Theatre Workshop, New Georges Theatre, The Public Theatre and Soho Theatre Writers Centre in London. She earned two Van Lier Fellowships from the New York Theatre Workshop, a residency at Sundance Ucross and Sundance Theatre Laboratory is the winner of the 2001 Helen Merrill Emerging Playwright Award, the 2003 AT&T Onstage Award, the 2004 Whiting Award, the 2004 Kesserling Prize, the 2007 Weissberger Playwriting Award as well as the 2007 Time Warner Storytelling Fellowship. Ms. Wilson holds a Master's degree in English Literature from Temple University.

Liesl Tommy (Director). Her directing credits include Angela's Mixtape by Eisa Davis; Flight by Charlayne Woodard; Small Tragedy by Craig Lucas; Camino Real; The Good Negro; Uncle Vanya; Split Ends; Our Lady of 121st Street; Bus and Family Ties by Cristian Panaite; Hydriotaphia by Tony Kushner; Misterioso 119 by Koffi Kwahule; Adventures of Barrio Grrrl by Quiara Hudes; and A Stone's Throw by Lynn Nottage. Awards: NEA/TCG Directors Grant, NYTW Casting/Directing Fellowship. A member of Soho Rep and Lincoln Center Director's Labs, Ms. Tommy teaches directing at Brown University and acting at NYU.

TICKET INFORMATION THE GOOD NEGRO will begin previews on Tuesday, March 3 and run through Sunday, April 19 with an official press opening on Monday, March 16. The performance schedule is Tuesdays at 7 PM; Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM; and Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM. Single tickets are on-sale now. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street. Tickets are $60 for all performances with the exception of Saturday evenings, which are $70. Student tickets are available in advance, at the box office only, for $25 (1 per ID). There are a limited number of Rush Tickets sold an hour before curtain at every performance available to the general public (Two per person, $20 each, cash only). To purchase tickets, please call (212) 967-7555 or visit www.publictheater.org.