Pearl Cleage News

What would the USA look like if the extreme Christian right got everything they wanted? In this slightly alternate present just before the rapture, a Reverend President has eliminated the "fake news" and homosexuality is outlawed.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDC Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces Robert Greenblatt, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning producer and Chairman of NBC Entertainment (The Wiz LIVE! and Hairpsray LIVE!), and John Stamos, star of stage and screen (Full House), as honorary co-chairs, and Neil Meron and Craig Zadan of Storyline Entertainment - Zadan/Meron Productions (Chicago, Hairpsray LIVE!) as co-chairs of the 2017 'Mr. Abbott' Award Gala honoring Kenny Leon.

The overall assumption regarding an interest in the arts seems to be one of partisan politics. Its value is an often debated topic in a divided nation whose idealistic chasm grows wider by the day. For many, the fate of the arts remains a concern of those confined to what conservatives label a 'coastal bubble.' A fringe frivolity to be cast aside in favor of funding more 'practical' ventures.

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, announces the extension of Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, directed by Ron OJ Parson. Blues for an Alabama Sky now runs through February 19, 2017 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue in Chicago.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced a line-up of all new work Off-Broadway, including two Roundabout commissions by Roundabout Underground alumni Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone) and Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews, Significant Other). As part of the Underground's mission, each participating playwright receives a commission for a new play, demonstrating a level of commitment to writers' careers and the future of theatre in New York that is unparalleled.

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, presents Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, directed by Ron OJ Parson. Blues for an Alabama Sky runs January 12 - February 12, 2017 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue in Chicago. The Press Opening is Saturday, January 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, presents Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, directed by Ron OJ Parson. Blues for an Alabama Sky runs January 12 - February 12, 2017 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue in Chicago. The Press Opening is Saturday, January 21 at 8:00 p.m.

The Living History Theater Group commemorates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrates his Queen on the MLK holiday weekend with a staged reading of noted author / playwright Pearl Cleage's 2007 work "A Song for Coretta' on Saturday, January 14 at the African American Museum of Nassau County (110 North Franklin Street) in Hempstead, New York.  Showtime is3:00pm, admission is $5.00 and for more information and reservations, contact:taags.aam@gmail.com or 516-572-0730.

Chicago's Eclipse Theatre Company, the only theatre company in the Midwest to focus on a single playwright each season, announces contemporary American playwright Kia Corthron as the featured playwright for its 2017 Season.

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, presents Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, directed by Ron OJ Parson. Blues for an Alabama Sky runs January 12 - February 12, 2017 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue in Chicago. The Press Opening is Saturday, January 21 at 8:00 p.m.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDC Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces that acclaimed Director Kenny Leon will be honored with the distinguished 2016-2017 'Mr. Abbott' Award for the outstanding artistry and creativity of his forty-year (and counting) career.

Towne Street Theatre, L.A.'s premiere African-American Theatre Company, is proud to announce that there will be a number of special events during the limited engagement run of "PassingSOLO." The production, which runs for three weeks only from October 8 - 23 at the Stella Adler Theatre, will offer theatre-goers receptions, special presentations, and talkbacks.

Leaders of the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today celebrated the expansion of Ailey's permanent home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance, with a ceremonial roof-breaking to mark the company's upward growth.

The Fox Theatre and Cobb Energy Centre are excited to announce Atlanta's much heralded Spelman College Glee Club will be joining Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) for two live performances on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. Supporting DTH for the first time with a live backing vocal performance, the Glee Club's seventy-five (75) acclaimed singers will accompany "Change" choreographed by Dianne McIntyre, a former Spelman College Distinguished Visiting Scholar. The group will be performing Two Negro Spirituals: 'By and By' arranged by Roland Allison and 'Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Around' arranged by Dr. Kevin Johnson, director of Spelman College Glee Club both nights.

Spelman College and True Colors Theatre Company have announced a conversation with Tony Award-winning Director Kenny Leon this evening, September 8, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Burroughs Theater at Spelman College.

Spelman College and True Colors Theatre Company have announced a conversation with Tony Award-winning Director Kenny Leon the evening of September 8, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Burroughs Theater at Spelman College.

The Woodruff Arts Center announces its sixth Free Family Festival, which will take place on September 11 from 1 - 4 PM as part of the CREATE ATL Family Fun at The Woodruff Arts Center initiative.  The Free Family Festival will feature family-oriented programming led by the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art. The festival will include live performances from master Jamaican musicians & storytellers, scavenger hunts with Eric Carle's famous children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, interactive musical experiences like Pop, Zing, Boom! with Dave Holland of Beatin' Path Rhythm Events and Alliance Live! Hollywood Squares. 

Looking over The Ensemble Theatre's upcoming 40th anniversary season, entitled Dawn of a New Decade, Ensemble Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris could only think one thing. 'Wow, this entire season really has the woman's voice at the helm!'

Synchronicity Theatre presents THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, a new folk-rock musical, by Jeremiah Parker Hobbs and Jessica De Maria. This special event runs for one weekend only, June 17-19 at Synchronicity Theatre in Midtown Atlanta. Performances are at 8pm Friday and Saturday and 5pm Sunday.

Court Theatre announces its 62nd season under the continuing leadership of Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert.