Patdro Harris News

Theatrical Outfit continues its 2018-2019 Season of Beauty with the Atlanta premiere of The Royale, playwright Marco Ramirez's stylized, blazingly theatrical look at the high stakes, segregated world of boxing at the turn of the twentieth century, loosely based on the true story of the first black world heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson. Directed by frequent Theatrical Outfit collaborator Patdro Harris (Travelin' Black, Fly, and Simply Simone), The Royale runs October 10 - November 4 downtown at The Balzer Theater at Herren's.

Never before have I stepped into a theatre, seen the curtain rise, and then heard the familiar notes of Kelis' 'Milkshake' ring out from the stage. While this song seems out of place for a theatrical context, The Ensemble Theatre's SISTAS showcases a home for it onstage, along with over thirty other female, African American hit songs from music history. In the case of SISTAS, music is not just a component of the performance. Rather, it is a vehicle for tales of historical background, healing, and community.

What do nostalgia, memory, and music all have in common? Not only do they all hold emotional influence over an individual, but they all also happen to be themes present in The Ensemble Theatre's upcoming Regional Premiere, SISTAS: The Musical. Directed and choreographed by Patrdo Harris with Musical Direction by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde, SISTAS is a musical journey through emotion and history as five friends heal from a loss. Through the incorporation of popular songs, "this play parallels the story of African-American women and their emerging sense of empowerment".

The Ensemble Theatre sets up for its season finale,  SISTAS THE MUSICAL by Dorothy Marcic, musical arrangements by Germono Toussaint, directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris, and musical direction by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde.

Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta's second-oldest continuously-operating professional theatre, proudly announces its dynamic 2018-2019 Season of Beauty, which includes: The Book of Will, America's most-produced living playwright and Georgia native Lauren Gunderson's love letter to theatre's timeless superstar, Will Shakespeare; The Royale, Marco Ramirez's stylized, blazingly theatrical look at the high stakes, segregated world of boxing at the turn of the twentieth century based on the true story of fighter Jack Johnson; the return of our sparkling holiday smash hit Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon; Lee Hall's The Pitmen Painters, a humorous tale of character over class in the British mining community and high society art circles set between the World Wars; I Love to Eat, Pulitzer Prize nominee James Still's salty culinary voyage around the world of love, life, and comfort food starring Atlanta stage vet William S. Murphey as celebrity chef James Beard; Five Guys Named Moe, an exuberant musical overflowing with hit songs by R&B pioneer Louis Jordan; the return of our Unexpected Play Festival; and a jazz concert series from renowned trumpeter and vocalist Joe Gransden with special guest singers. Our 2018-2019 Season of Beauty, featuring five plays, one musical, and special events, offers something for everyone.

Children's Theatre Company, in collaboration with Penumbra Theatre, presents THE WIZ. At the time of its opening on Broadway in 1974, THE WIZ was a modern retelling of The Wizard of Oz, featuring Soul-inspired songs and an entirely African-American cast. It was later adapted into a popular 1978 film starring Diana Ross and a young Michael Jackson. The Children's Theatre Company's production of THE WIZ opened on January 23rd and will run through March 18th.

'Combining CTC's critical literacy work and Penumbra's racial justice work allows us to forge something together that neither could do alone.' These words in the playbill of THE WIZ, the first collaboration between these two acclaimed #TCTheater companies, brought tears to my eyes before the show even started. Especially after wading through a sea of children of all shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds. In an increasingly divided world, Penumbra (one of the longest-running and most acclaimed African American theater companies in the nation) and Children's Theatre (ditto for children's theater) give me hope, as individual companies and especially in this collaboration in which an all-black cast tells a story of a young black woman who discovers her own power through the help of friends. They give me hope that maybe we can overcome our seemingly insurmountable differences and join together in song and awesome dance to solve our problems. It's possible, right? Can't you feel a brand new day? Indeed I can.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in partnership with Penumbra Theatre will present The Wiz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in partnership with Penumbra Theatre will present The Wiz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; directed by Lou Bellamy, Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Penumbra Theatre Company, assistant directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris (Broadway credits as Choreographer for A Raisin in the Sun), with music direction by Sanford Moore (Musical Director at Penumbra Theatre).

The Ensemble Theatre gets into the holiday spirit with Soulful Sounds of Christmas, book, music and lyrics by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde, based on a concept and title by Greg Williams, Jr, and directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris; Opening Night and Media Receptitoday, November 16, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in partnership with Penumbra Theatre will present The Wiz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The Ensemble Theatre lights up the holidays with the world premiere musical Soulful Sounds of Christmas, book, music and lyrics by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde, based on a concept and title by Greg Williams, Jr, and directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris; Opening Night Media Reception Thursday, November 16, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

The Ensemble Theatre gets into the holiday spirit with Soulful Sounds of Christmas, book, music and lyrics by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde, based on a concept and title by Greg Williams, Jr, and directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris; Opening Night and Media Reception Thursday, November 16, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

Children's Theatre Company has announced its 2017-2018 season, which includes four musicals, two world premieres, one preschool production and partnerships with other leading theatres such as The Old Vic (London, UK), The Civilians (New York, NY) and Penumbra Theatre (Saint Paul, MN). The season also celebrates Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius' 20th Anniversary with CTC.

On June 29, The Ensemble Theatre opened the final production for their celebratory 40th anniversary season with a bang, a belt, and a whole lotta sass! With its powerhouse vocalists, entertaining and sassy storytellers, and vast musical variation, SIMPLY SIMONE is anything but simple.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season finale with the regional premiere of Simply Simone, written by Robert Neblet and David Grapes. This musical portrait of Nina Somone is directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season finale with the regional premiere of Simply Simone, written by Robert Neblet and David Grapes. This musical portrait of Nina Somone is directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde.

The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris, announces the theatre's 2017-2018 Season that will include three regional premieres, and a variety of comedies, drama, and musical productions.

The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris, announces the theatre's 2017-2018 Season that will include three regional premieres, and a variety of comedies, drama, and musical productions.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season finale with the regional premiere of Simply Simone, written by Robert Neblet and David Grapes. This musical portrait of Nina Somone is directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde.