'THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER' Wins Nine Audelco Awards 11/17

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 FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER won the following awards:

BEST DRAMATIC PRODUCTION
BEST DIRECTOR - Ruben Santiago-Hudson (tie)
BEST PLAYWRIGHT - Leslie Lee
BEST ACTRESS - Leslie Uggams
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - John Earl Jelks (tie)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Yaya DaCosta
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN - Marcus Doshi
BEST SET DESIGN - Michael Carnahan
BEST COSTUME DESIGN - Karen Perry

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER ran August 5 - October 19, 2008 at Signature Theatre Company's Peter Norton Space (555 West 42nd Street). The critically acclaimed production was extended twice by popular demand.

AUDELCO (Audience Development Committee, Inc), a not-for profit membership organization, was founded in 1973 by Mrs. Vivian Robinson (1924- 1996) and incorporated in the State of New York. AUDELCO was established to generate more recognition, understanding and awareness of the arts in African-American communities. The purpose of AUDELCO is to assist not-for-profit theatre and dance companies to generate more revenue, to improve public relations, and to provide a cultural grounding for African-Americans and other ethnic minorities. AUDELCO offers access to new audiences and acts as a conduit to channel resources to the not-for-profit arts community. The geographical area served by AUDELCO consists of the five boroughs of New York City and the immediate East Coast Area (New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia). For more information about the AUDELCO Awards, please call (212) 368-6906 or visit www.audelco.net.

Signature's 2008-2009 season is an examination of the body of work from the historic Negro Ensemble Company's collective of writers, whose contributions have helped shape America's theatrical heritage. Ruben Santiago-Hudson serves as Associate Artist for the season, which will also include Samm-Art Williams' HOME, which is currently in previews for a December 7 opening, Charles Fuller's ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN, and a staged reading of Douglas Turner Ward's DAY OF ABSENCE.

Through The Signature Ticket Initiative, which seeks to make great theatre accessible to the broadest possible audience, all regularly-priced single tickets ($65) are underwritten and are available for $20 every performance for the entire season, during a show's initial run. The Signature Ticket Initiative continues through Signature's 20th Anniversary Season (2010-2011).

 

The Signature Ticket Initiative is made possible by the lead sponsorship of Time Warner Inc. Generous support for The Signature Ticket Initiative is provided by Margot Adams, in memory of Mason Adams.

Support for the Negro Ensemble Company Season is provided by American Express.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit signaturetheatre.org or call (212) 244-PLAY (7529).

CURRENTLY AT AT SIGNATURE THEATRE COMPANY

Home

by Samm-Art Williams

Directed by Ron OJ Parson

November 11, 2008-January 4, 2009

Leaving behind his family's farm in North Carolina, Cephus Miles seeks refuge and prosperity in the North. Three actors portray more than twenty-five characters over the course of Cephus's epic journey from adolescence to adulthood, spanning the 1950's through the Vietnam War and Civil Rights eras. Samm-Art Williams' critically acclaimed work is a wonderfully theatrical tale of one man's struggle to stay true to himself amidst a rapidly changing and turbulent America.

COMING UP AT SIGNATURE THEATRE COMPANY

Zooman and the Sign
by Charles Fuller
Directed by Stephen McKinley Henderson
March 3-April 26, 2009

A random act of violence leaves Reuben Tate and his family questioning their friends and neighbors, but their once caring community has been scared into helpless silence. As young Zooman terrorizes the neighborhood from the shadows, Reuben makes a dangerous appeal which may tear their world apart. This powerful drama by Charles Fuller, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Soldier's Play, depicts the devastating aftermath of violence on a family and an entire community.

Day of Absence
Staged Reading
Written and Directed by Douglas Turner Ward

Signature returns to the roots of the Negro Ensemble Company with a special staged reading of Douglas Turner Ward's Day of Absence, the seminal 1965 play that inspired the founding of the NEC.

SIGNATURE THEATRE COMPANY'S NEC READING SERIES

Signature continues to honor and celebrate the Negro Ensemble Company with special presentations of two more plays from the historic NEC repertoire. Curated by NEC Founding Artistic Director, Douglas Turner Ward, Signature Associate Artist, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Signature Theatre Company staff, these plays will be read on stage at the Peter Norton Space on Monday evenings throughout the season. These rarely performed works will provide greater insight into the history of this vital and ground-breaking company.

 

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!