York's TEXAS IN PARIS to Host Talkback Following Matinee Tomorrow

The York Theatre Company will offer a Special Talkback Panel with the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis, Senior Pastor of Middle Collegiate Church and Michael Dinwiddie, Acting Associate Dean at The Gallatin School of Individualized Study, immediately following tomorrow's matinee, February 21 at 2:30 p.m. of the new musical play, Texas in Paris, written by Alan Govenar.

Directed by Akin Babatundé (Blind Lemon Blues) and with music supervision by Amy Jones, Texas in Paris stars Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela, The Life) Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody). Performances began January 28, 2015 for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 1, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The York Theatre Company continues to push the boundaries of musical theatre with this tapestry of regional American music. Based on true events, Texas in Paris is the musical journey of a man and a woman - one white, one black - invited to France to perform at the Maison des Cultures du Monde. They have never met, have no professional singing experience, and face the challenge of working together and co-existing in an unfamiliar world. Apprehensive of each other, they struggle with preconceptions but forge a surprising spiritual bond that transforms their on-stage performance and their lives. Texas in Paris is a conversation about race between two people who never thought they would ever have that conversation.

"A musical play that is as much about race relations in America as it is about the spirituals and cowboy songs that run through it...the actors performances are beautifully calibrated; [their] energy and skill irresistible," said The New York Times. "Affecting...White and Wakefield quietly create a chemistry onstage that's as simple and satisfying as melted butter on grits," shared TheaterMania.

The creative team includes James Morgan (set), Chris Vergara (costumes), Brian Nason (lighting) and Kevin Maloof (props). The Production Stage Manager is Niki Armato.

"Texas in Paris is a metaphor for the dilemma of race that is currently dividing our nation, focusing on two people from the heartland, who like most Americans want to avoid talking about racism as an issue. But once in Paris a dialogue emerges that could never have happened in their isolated worlds in the United States, stated playwright Alan Govenar. He went on to add, "The music is a songbook of American life - everyday songs, lost and found, black and white, remembered and discovered as new."

Texas in Paris plays the following performance schedule: Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday-Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for Texas in Paris are priced at $67.50 and may be purchased by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12:00 -6:00 p.m.).

York Theatre Company offers the 54th Street Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $54.00 - with elite benefits that includes a 30% discount on tickets to York Theatre Productions (2 per membership), exclusive member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special member only receptions.

York Memberships and single tickets can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting the York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org.

Photo by Carol Rosegg