Tonya Pinkins To Star In BLACK PEARL SINGS at Ford's Theatre 9/25-10/18

The Ford's Theatre 2009-2010 season opens with "Black Pearl Sings!" by Frank Higgins, September 25-October 18, 2009. Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins makes her Ford's Theatre debut in the title role with Erika Rolfsrud as Susannah. Jennifer L. Nelson returns to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of "Jitney."

Susannah, a song collector for the Library of Congress, travels the country seeking little-known melodies. When she encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, she discovers dozens of musical treasures rooted in the African tradition. Pearl must decide whether to give away her ancestors' songs for a chance at her own freedom. Music unites strangers in a powerful story that illuminates America's racial divisions and the attempts of two women to bridge them.

"It's a rare treasure to discover a story such as ‘Black Pearl Sings!' that focuses on two strong women and their connection to history," said director Jennifer L. Nelson. "Both characters seek to honor the past and their ancestry-even while seeking to enhance their personal options. More than anything, Ford's Theatre is famous for its connection to American history and it is a wonderful opportunity to present this show here."

This production is made possible by BAE Systems and Visa Inc. Ford's Theatre's 2009-2010 season sponsors are The Home Depot and Chevron. The media partner for "Black Pearl Sings!" is WHUR-FM.

THE DIRECTOR

Jennifer L. Nelson returns to direct at Ford's Theatre for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of "Jitney." Nelson serves as the Director of Special Programming for Ford's Theatre. She has directed productions for Round House, Woolly Mammoth, Baltimore's Everyman Theatre, Rep Stage, Theatre of the First Amendment and Imagination Stage, among others. An accomplished playwright and actress, Nelson served as Producing Artistic Director of the African Continuum Theatre, where she produced 26 plays and several world premieres including her Helen Hayes Award-winning "Torn From the Headlines." Nelson worked with Arena Stage's Living Stage Theatre Company for 20 years, served two terms as President of the League of Washington Theatres, and currently serves on the board of the Theatre Communications Group. She has taught at Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, George Mason University and UCLA.

THE CAST

Tonya Pinkins makes her Ford's Theatre debut in the title role of Black Pearl Sings! Pinkins received a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle and Clarence Derwent Award for her role as Sweet Anita in Broadway's "Jelly's Last Jam." Additional Broadway credits include "Caroline or Change," "Radio Golf," "The Wild Party" and "Play On.' She has appeared in multiple television series including "24," "Army Wives," "All My Children" and "The Closer," and in films such as "Enchanted," John Turturro's "Romance and Cigarettes" and "Above the Rim." To find out more, visit Pinkins at www.tonyapinkins.com.

Erika Rolfsrud returns to Ford's Theatre for the first time since the 1996 production of "The Gate of Heaven." Recent Broadway credits include "The Coast of Utopia," "Rabbit Hole" and "Exit the King." Rolfsrud received a Kevin Kline award for her role in the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's "The Little Dog Laughed." She has performed regularly at the Old Globe Theatre ("The Seagull," "Cymbeline," "Henry IV," "Dancing at Lughnasa," "Macbeth," "The Gate of Heaven"), and the Shakespeare Festivals of Utah, Seattle and Idaho. Rolfsrud holds an MFA from the Old Globe Theatre/USD. To find out more, visit Rolfsrud at www.erikarolfsrud.com.

THE DESIGNERS

Set Designer Tony Cisek and Lighting Designer Dan Covey set the tone of the first act with a cold and sparse Texas jail where Pearl and Susannah first meet. For Act 2, Cisek moves the scene to Greenwich Village and Susannah's richly textured bohemian apartment with abundant windows, symbolic of the women's new sense of possibility. The "Black Pearl Sings!" design team also includes Costume Design by Toni Leslie-James, Music Direction by William Hubbard, Sound Design by Veronika Vorel, and Wig and Makeup Design by Wendy Parson.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

There will be audio-described performances of "Black Pearl Sings!" on Tuesday, October 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 10, at 2:30 p.m. Sign-interpreted performances are Saturday, October 3, at 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.

Following the 2:30 p.m. performance on October 3, members of the cast will take questions from the audience and discuss the artistic process. Post-performance discussions begin immediately following the performance. Individuals wishing to attend the discussion will be invited into the theatre for the discussion after the audience from the performance departs.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, director Jennifer L. Nelson will participate in A.C.T.O.R. (A Continuing Talk on Race) at Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., Washington, D.C.). No reservations are required.

Photo credit Walter McBride