Deanna K. Reed To Lead Greenetree's YELLOWMAN 9/15-10/9

Greenetree Productions' Artistic Director J. Israel Greene announces cast and director for Yellowman, the theater company's first production of their 2011-2012 season. The company opens Yellowman, directed by Jonathan Wilson and written by Dael Orlandersmith at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Ave. Thursday, Sept. 15 - Sunday, Oct. 9. This multi-character love story follows an African-American woman, played by Deanna K. Reed, who dreams of life beyond the confines of her small-town Southern upbringing and the man whose fate is tragically intertwined with hers. The preview performance is Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. and the press/opening night is Thursday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Regular performance days and times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 - $25 and may be purchased at www.Stage773.com, by phone at 773.327.5252 or in person at the Stage 773 box office.

Yellowman, a 2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama, explores the perceptions and associations of skin color and their effects on individuals and communities. The performance details the highs and lows of the relationship between Eugene (played by Greene), a fair skinned black man, and Alma a large, dark skinned woman (played by Reed). Their story begins in their youth on the islands off the coast of South Carolina. In spite of their differences on issues of race and color, Eugene and Alma's friendship blossoms into adolescent romance. After their high school graduation, Alma decides to go to school in New York, leaving Eugene behind. Eventually he follows her bringing with him the social issues that plagued them in South Carolina, but nothing can prepare them for what comes after Eugene's grandfather's death.

Greenetree Productions began in 2006 and currently has eleven company members. Their recent 2010 production of Blues For An Alabama Sky was nominated for The Black Theatre Alliance Awards for both Best Leading Actress in a play (Kelly Owens) and Best Set Design (Shaun Renfro). The company is producing three other plays in the 2011-2012 season including the Chicago favorite Hellcab by Will Kern, The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown and Shotgun, a Chicago premiere, by John Biguenet. Dates and locations for these productions will be announced at a later date.

Greenetree Productions presents Yellowman September 15 - October 9 at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The preview performance is Thursday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. and the press/opening night is Thursday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Regular performance days and times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 - $25 and may be purchased at www.Stage773.com, by phone at 773.327.5252 or in person at the box office.

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