Daniel Beaty Closes One-Man Play THROUGH THE NIGHT in NYC, 5/23

The Riverside Theatre, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre, and Walk Tall Girl Productions will present Obie Award-winner Daniel Beaty in his new solo play THROUGH THE NIGHT. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the New York Premiere of THROUGH THE NIGHT will end its limited engagement, May 23, 2010 at The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Avenue.

THROUGH THE NIGHT is the story of six African-American males, age 10 to 60, who discover the power of possibility through one extraordinary event. With commanding skill, compassion and humor, Daniel Beaty gives voice to this community of men, those who love them, and what it means to be Black and male in America. Beaty won an Obie Award for his critically-acclaimed solo play EMERGENCE-SEE!, which had a sold-out run at The Public Theater during the 2006-07 season.

In addition to Beaty and Randolph-Wright, the creative team of THROUGH THE NIGHT includes Alexander V. Nichols (Scenic Designer, Projection Designer, Lighting Designer) and Lindsay Jones (Original Music, Sound Designer).

THROUGH THE NIGHT addresses subjects that concern the African-American community specifically and all people generally. In the play, characters face a wide range of issues that include family relationships, fatherhood, economic stability, health and wellness, incarceration, youth violence, activism, education, sexuality, and religion. Community dialogues with Beaty and experts in these fields will follow specific performances. Luminaries such as Bill Cosby, Sonia Sanchez, Ruby Dee, Hill Harper, Malik Yoba, Rev. Alfonso Wyatt (Fund for the City of New York, 21st Century Foundation), Jackie Rowe-Adams (Harlem Mothers Save), Dr. John Palmer (Harlem Hospital), Darwin Davis (Black Equity Alliance), Pastor Joseph Tolton (Rehoboth Temple), DeMarco Morgan (WNBC News Anchor), and Voza Rivers (Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce) will participate in the post-performance discussions.

Located at the historic Riverside Church, The Riverside Theatre, in this 50th year Anniversary, is celebrating an outstanding legacy of rich arts programming, honoring our past and those artists that have brought engaging, powerful, inspiring work to our stage. With a vision of the arts as a unifying force that strengthens communities, the 50th Anniversary theme, From Legacy to Promise recognizes the foundation laid and aspires to be instrumental in shaping the new voices of captivating dance, theatre and film. THROUGH THE NIGHT is part of The Riverside Theatre's Cultural Animators Series. A series of original theater and/or dance works that inform, arouse, promote change, and reflect on and gives voice to societal concerns, as revealed through imagination and creativity of its artists.

Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group is celebrating their 46th anniversary as the oldest black not for profit theatre in New York City. The Theatre is pleased to join with Riverside Theatre celebrating its 50th Anniversary in presenting the work of the distinguished actor Daniel Beaty. One extraordinary performer portraying six compelling characters in a tour de force performance not to be missed is a gift to the community. New Heritage is pleased to be a part of the producing team. New Heritage is headed by Grammy nominated and Audelco award winning Executive Producer Voza Rivers and Oscar and Grammy nominated Executive Artistic Director Jamal Joseph, Chair of the Graduate Film Program at Columbia University.

Founded in 2000 by Marcia Pendelton, Walk Talk Girl Productions is a marketing, audience development and group sales company. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, WTGP seeks to find the widest possible audience for the arts and is pleased to continue its association with Daniel Beaty. www.walktallgirlproductions.com

For more information about THROUGH THE NIGHT, the Cultural Animators Series, and a complete community dialogue schedule, visit www.theriversidetheatre.org or call the Theatre at 212.870.6784.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski