John Earl Jelks News

Magnolia by Regina Taylor and directed by Anna D. Shapiro opened March 14 and plays to April 19 at Goodman Theater. Atlanta, 1963. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires Atlanta's black citizens to fight passionately for their civil rights, the new mayor erects 'The Payton Wall' to restrict where they can live

Magnolia, Artistic Associate ReGina Taylor's world premiere about possibility in the face of seismic social change, takes root at the Goodman with an official opening tonight, March 23rd, Magnolia runs through April 19, 2009.

Magnolia is written by Regina Taylor and directed by Anna D. Shapiro Show plays March 14 - April 19 Atlanta, 1963. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires Atlanta's black citizens to fight passionately for their civil rights, the new mayor erects 'The Payton Wall' to restrict where they can live. Amid these churning social currents, Magnolia Estate faces foreclosure, pitting the sensual, free-spirited heiress Lily Forrest against Thomas, a strong-willed businessman who lays claim to the estate where his ancestors were slaves.

Magnolia, Artistic Associate Regina Taylor's world premiere about possibility in the face of seismic social change, takes root at the Goodman this spring, March 14 - April 19, 2009. Directing for the first time at the Goodman, Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro helms a cast of 12 led by Academy Award nominee Annette O'Toole (Smallville, A Mighty Wind, 48 Hours) and Tony Award nominee John Earl Jelks (August Wilson's Radio Golf and Gem of the Ocean) in the leading roles of Lily and Thomas. Tickets to Magnolia are $25 - $70. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. Target is the lead Corporate Sponsor Partner of Magnolia and Lead Diversity Night Sponsor.

Magnolia By Regina Taylor and Directed by Anna D. Shapiro Tickets on sale now! Atlanta, 1963. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires Atlanta's black citizens to fight passionately for their civil rights, the new mayor erects 'The Payton Wall' to restrict where they can live. Amid these churning social currents, Magnolia Estate faces foreclosure, pitting the sensual, free-spirited heiress Lily Forrest against Thomas, a strong-willed businessman who lays claim to the estate where his ancestors were slaves.

Magnolia, Artistic Associate Regina Taylor's world premiere about possibility in the face of seismic social change, takes root at the Goodman this spring, March 14 - April 19, 2009. Directing for the first time at the Goodman, Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro helms a cast of 12 led by Academy Award nominee Annette O'Toole (Smallville, A Mighty Wind, 48 Hours) and Tony Award nominee John Earl Jelks (August Wilson's Radio Golf and Gem of the Ocean) in the leading roles of Lily and Thomas. Tickets to Magnolia are $25 - $70. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. Target is the lead Corporate Sponsor Partner of Magnolia and Lead Diversity Night Sponsor.

Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) production of HOME opened last night, Sunday, December 7. HOME is the second production of Signature's 2008-2009 Season, celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

The Signature Theater Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) production of 'THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER,' by Leslie Lee, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, won nine AUDELCO Awards at a ceremony held in New York City on Monday, November 17. 'THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER' was the first production in Signature's 2008-2009 season, dedicated to the work of the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

The Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) was featured on National Public Radio this weekend in a story discussing this season's dedication to the works of the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The feature includes interviews with James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Associate Artist for the season and director of 'The First Breeze of Summer.

Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that their production of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER has been extended by popular demand one week from Sunday, September 28th to Sunday, October 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is the first production of the 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The show began performances on August 5th and opened August 21st at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER has been extended for a second time by popular demand after receiving glowing reviews and playing to sold out houses since beginning performances on August 5th. The limited engagement, initially slated to conclude Sunday, September 28th, will now run through Sunday, October 19th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is the first production of the 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The show opened August 21st at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that their production of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER has been extended by popular demand one week from Sunday, September 28th to Sunday, October 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is the first production of the 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The show began performances on August 5th and opened August 21st at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), will begin previews tomorrow, August 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, officially opens on Thursday, August 21st and continues through September 28th at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), will begin previews tomorrow, August 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, officially opens on Thursday, August 21st and continues through September 28th at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

Yaya Dacosta is a formidable young actress who is making her mark in film with stand out performances in Take the Lead with Antonio Banderas and Honeydripper where she co-starred along with Danny Glover and Charles S. Dutton. On television she was last seen in a breakout performance in the Lifetime motion picture Racing for Time, as well as a recent featured role on All My Children. Fans of America's Next Top Model will remember her as a favorite contestant in the popular series third season. In the Signature Theatre Company's The First Breeze Of Summer, Miss Dacosta essays the pivotal role of 'Lucretia'. BroadwayWorld.com spoke with Yaya about winning the emotional role and bringing the powerful drama to life on stage.

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature Theatre Company's 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), will begin previews today, August 5th.

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), will begin previews tomorrow, August 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, officially opens on Thursday, August 21st and continues through September 28th at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

Signature Theatre Company is proud to announce full casting for THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature's 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

The most awarded African-American playwright in history, August Wilson's crowning achievement was his ten-play cycle, August Wilson's 20th Century in which each work is set in a different decade in the 1900's. The cycle, often titled the Pittsburgh Cycle because nine of the ten plays are set in Pittsburgh, chronicles the African-American experience in the 20th century. August Wilson's 20th Century will be presented in a series of staged readings at the Kennedy Center.

This week, at Any Wednesday November 14, Barnes & Noble is pleased to present Broadway tenor, David Burnham, just returned from starring in the national tour of The Light in the Piazza, which he also appeared in at Lincoln Center. He will be sharing some of his favorite songs from his new self-titled album.