Rain Pryor's FRIED CHICKEN & LATKES Comes to NBT This June

RAIN PRYOR's one-woman autobiographical play, FRIED CHICKEN & LATKES, will have its World Premiere at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) in Harlem, running Tuesday, June 2, through Sunday, June 28. Directed by Kamilah Forbes, this Limited Off-Broadway run is the actress-writer-comedian's funny take on growing up Black & Jewish as the daughter of one of the world's most beloved & iconic funny men, comic genius Richard Pryor.

FRIED CHICKEN & LATKES has been in development for several years & has been presented as a workshop in Atlanta, New York, North Carolina, Baltimore & Washington, DC. Pryor plays the 11 characters most pivotal to her life & takes her audience on a journey through the late '60s, '70s & '80s along with some little-known family history, offering a unique perspective on race, identity & the loss of her father.

"The development of FRIED CHICKEN & LATKES has been cathartic & this fully mounted version is the culminating event," said Pryor. "The June World Premiere marks the first time the show is more than me, a black curtain & a couple of boxes!"

In August, FRIED CHICKEN & LATKES will be featured at The National Black Theatre Festival in association with Media at Large. Also featured at the Festival is Rain's new documentary That Daughter's Crazy, for which she won a "Best Actress" Award at the Bronze Lenz Festival in Atlanta.

Also on Rain's plate is her new CD, Black & White which draws from her own life & openly explores her experiences as a Black, Jewish woman, including her successes, failures, childhood & of course, her beloved father. She was encouraged by him in her late teens to pursue stand-up, but it took over two decades for her to build up the nerve to test what seems to be a genetic gift.

Pryor follows in her father's footsteps, not only in her natural comedic flair, but also in her choice to record with David Drozen, producer of 12 of her father's albums for the legendary comedy label LAFF Records. Black & White was recorded in front of a live audience at L.A. Comedy Club in Bally's, Las Vegas & is Pryor's first recording for Uproar Entertainment.

RAIN PRYOR is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, standup comedian, activist, dynamic speaker & mother. She wrote & starred in FRIED CHICKEN & LATKES receiving rave reviews during its development. She followed up with That Daughter's Crazy, an award-winning, autobiographical documentary & her comedy CD Black & White.

Pryor made her TV debut on the ABC hit series "Head of the Class," playing the tough-talking T.J. & starred opposite Sherilyn Fenn & Lynn Redgrave as Jackie on the Showtime series "Rude Awakening." She is currently a co-host of ARISE TV's "Arise & Shine," which airs in New York, London & throughout Africa. Her stage credits include the title role of Billie Holiday in The Billie Holiday Story (UK Tour), Ella Fitzgerald in Marilyn & Ella (UK tour) & Lady in Red in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

As a standup comedian, Rain regularly headlines across the country, from the Florida Improv (with the Jokes on You Comedy Tour) to Carolines on Broadway & from the Funny Stop & Joke Factory to the Borgata.

Kamilah Forbes (Director) is a much-sought-after director of theatre, TV & live performances. On Broadway, she served as Assistant or Associate Director for A Raisin in the Sun, Lucky Guy, Stick Fly, The Mountaintop & Holler If Ya Hear Me.

DETAILS:

FIRED CHICKEN & LATKES @ National Black Theatre

DATES: PREVIEWS: Tuesday, June 2 - Sunday, June 7; OPENS: Thursday, June 11 - Sunday, June 28

TIMES: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Mondays @ 7:30 pm; Saturday @ 2 pm & Sunday @ 4 pm

THEATRE: National Black Theatre ~ 2031 Fifth Ave (Bet. 125th & 126th St.)

TICKETS: Previews: $20 ~ Post Opening: $30

RESERVATIONS: (212) 722- 3800 or NBT Box Office 1 pm - 6 pm, Tuesday - Saturday; Online www.nationalblacktheatre.org

Join Rain at www.RainPryor.com.