JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN at Baltimore's Spotlighters

Spotlighters Theatre will be presenting Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, March 17 - April 8, 2006,  Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $15 for adults with discounts for Seniors, Students, and Baltimore Theatre Alliance members. Go to www.spotlighters.org for ticket information and reservations.

Described as a raw, uncompromising portrait of race, justice and faith, this dynamic piece of new American theatre takes a hard - and realistic - look at the criminal justice system through the eyes of three very different individuals. Directed by veteran Baltimore Director Barry Feinstein, this production brings the characters to life, filled with love and rage, and confusion and hope.

Angel Cruz has lost his best friend to a religious cult. The show opens with Angel incarcerated, on his knees, alone and terrified, trying to say a prayer he no longer remembers to a God he has all but forgotten.

The play centers around three main characters: Angel Cruz, a thirty year-old Hispanic bike messenger, who, while attempting to save his best friend from a religious cult, ends up on Riker's Island in prison and awaiting trial for murder; Lucius Jenkins, an African-American serial killer (a.k.a. the Black Plague), awaiting extradition to Florida for eight murders – while incarcerated, Lucius has found God, and is determined to save Angel's soul; and Mary Jane Hanrahan,  Angel's public defender, who is young, jaded, cynical and yet still optimistic. Angel's case could end her career, or save her soul. When these three individuals meet, Angel's life and the course of his trial will be forever changed.

 The Spotlighters Theatre production of Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train features Carlos del Valle as Angel Cruz, Marc Stevens as Lucius Jenkins, Jane Seffen as Mary Jane Hanrahan, Eli Jackson as Valdez, Matt Foster as D'Amico, and Iskah Bullock and Donnie Lewis as the inmates. This emotional rollercoaster is directed by Barry Feinstein, and stage managed by Bettina Roberts, with lighting and sound design by Brad Ranno, set design and construction by C. Dan Bursi, with construction assistance from Baltimore School of the Arts Technical Production Students, Kyle Haas and Claire Shock, and scenic art/set painting by Peter Fox.

In addition to regular performances, Spotlighters is offering the following:

• OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: Friday, March 17, 2006 at 8pm with a reception with director and cast following performance.
• TALK BACK SESSION, Sunday, March 26, 2006 at 2pm, with a question and answer discussion session with cast, crew and director; and members of local law offices and criminal justice systems immediately following the performance.