Court Theatre Presents JITNEY, 9/6-10/14

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present Jitney, written by August Wilson and directed by Ron OJ Parson. Jitney will run September 6 – October 14, 2012 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press Opening is Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 8:00PM.

Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson (The Piano Lesson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) returns to direct Jitney, Court's latest installment of August Wilson's Century Cycle. Described by Wilson as the play in which he discovered his voice, Jitney weaves themes of tragedy and transcendence into a rich tapestry of stories about a community struggling to get by and longing to flourish. Fraught relationships, violent tensions, and unfulfilled desires ebb and flow inside Becker's car service, an unlicensed jitney station that serves the black community of Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1977. This powerful and timely piece explores the desperate need to connect when everything seems to be falling apart.

Title: Jitney
Directed by: Ron OJ Parson
Written by: August Wilson
Dates: Previews: September 6 – September 14 2012
Press opening: Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 8:00PM
Regular run: September 19 - October 14, 2012
Schedule: Wed & Thurs: 7:30 PM
Fridays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays: 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Sundays: 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Location: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.
Tickets: $35-$45 previews
$45-$65 regular run
Box Office: Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online www.CourtTheatre.org
Now in its 58th season, Court Theatre is guided by its mission to discover the power of classic theatre. Court endeavors to make a lasting contribution to American theatre by expanding the canon of translations, adaptations, and classic texts. Court revives lost masterpieces, illuminates familiar texts, and distinguishes fresh, modern classics. Court engages and inspires its audience by providing artistically distinguished productions, audience enrichment activities, and student educational experiences.
Court Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at the University of Chicago continuing to discover the power of classic theatre. Court Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Productions are made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and by a City Arts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Court Theatre is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American Theatre; the League of Resident Theatres; the Illinois Humanities Council; the Arts Alliance Illinois; the League of Chicago Theatres; and Hyde Park Cultural Alliance.