Trezana Beverley's MABEL MADNESS Extends at Urban Stages

Urban Stages will extend its critically acclaimed World Premiere of Mabel Madness written and performed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley (For Colored Girls...) tells the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse, Mabel Mercer. Co-directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Tuffus Zimbabwe, Mabel Madness began performances on February 19 and was originally set to end its run on March 20, will now play Wednesday nights at 7PM and Sundays at 3PM & 7PM through April 10, 2016. Tickets are $40 and are available at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111.

Mabel Madness opened on February 25 to positive reviews including "Consistently beguiling ...compelling. The show's numbers are thrilling ...chilling... and delightful." NY Times; "Beverley's dazzling performance...weaves a powerful spell that is worth seeing. Beverley has an expressive voice that fits the material beautifully but its her consummate acting skills that really make the evening memorable." Bistro Awards' "Beverley skillfully channels iconic cabaret star Mabel Mercer." BroadwayWorld; "Trezana Beverly is convincing and compelling." Theaterpizazz; "Ms. Beverly is a powerful actress with a rich alto register." Times Square Chronical; "Mabel Madness is an intimate show, in an intimate theater, about an intimate performer." Woman Around Town; "It is surely a must-see." Splash Mag; "There is a beautiful sadness to Mabel Madness: The Life of Mabel Mercer. .Beverley gives a heartwarming performance. Beverley's elegant portrayal of the very regal Mercer that makes this play a poignant lesson in musical history." NY Theaterguide; "Never miss an affordable opportunity to experience the Great American Songbook. Mabel Madness is a stunning evening of story and song, Trezana easily and lovingly morphs into Mabel she was mesmerizing" UsedYorkCity; "Watching Mabel Madness, is a lesson in listening. In this skillful memoir with neat production values, Trezana Beverley's delivery of "Just One of Those Things" is a master class in interpretation." Curtain Up.

On stage for probably the last time, legendary performer Mabel Mercer, who influenced the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Billie Holiday, confronts the events that has led her to this moment. From a white British mother who refused to acknowledge her black daughter to vocal mishaps that ultimately led to her signature Story Song style, Mabel reveals all as she prepares to take her final bow.

Mabel Madness features classic songs from Ms. Mercer's repertoire as well as original songs written by the award-winning team of Barry Levitt (composer) and Mr. Napolitano (lyrics). The creative team for Mabel Madness includes Christina Watanabe (Lighting Designer), Nicholas Blade Guldner (Projection Designer), Gail Cooper-Hecht (Costume Designer), Antoinette Mullins (Dramaturg) and Jill Woodward (Production Stage Manager).

Trezana Beverley (Playwright, Actress) is the winner of the distinguished Tony Award for her performance on Broadway in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf. She has since created a unique signature in the American Theater as a talented actor, director, singer, acting teacher and writer. Trezana is a graduate of New York University Tisch School for the Arts where she studied under Lloyd Richards, Peter Kass, Omar Shapli and Kristin Linklater, as well as the great Polish director Jerzy Grotowsky. Among the highlights of her distinguished acting career are: Mother Courage; A Raisin In The Sun; Flyin' West; Peer Gynt; Macbeth, Medea, and King Lear (as a man). In film: Beloved (with Oprah Winfrey); Resurrection; Carolina Skeletons and Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies. Her music and writing skills have been displayed in her one-woman shows The Spirit Moves; Constant Star and currently, Mabel Madness, the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse Mabel Mercer. Highlights of her directing credits include: Spell #7; Native Son; For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf; In The Blood; From The Mississippi Delta, Pecong; The Trojan Woman, Salome, Yellowman, The Bluest Eye; Blue Door; Mask in The Mirror - an Opera, and most recently an all-female production of Shakespeare's Othello. Trezana is currently on the guest directing drama faculty of the Juilliard School in New York City and is the founding artistic director of The Trezana Projects - a theater company that uses dance choreography to express dramatic plays. Trezana is a civic minded artist who often speaks before church and youth groups. Her work has been cited in American Theater Magazine and Towards A Poor Theater (Simon & Shuster). Among other distinguished awards are: Mademoiselle Woman of The Year, The Audelco Recognition Award and The Theater World Award. She has received two Citizen's Citations for her contribution to the American Stage as a distinguished citizen of Baltimore, Md. and has also been recognized by the New York Senate and the New York State Assembly for her artistic contributions to the community. Ms. Beverley is an honorary member of the New York State Assembly. www.trezanabeverley.com.

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