Donterrio Johnson To Direct BUYER & CELLAR For Pride Films And Plays

Pride Films and Plays will mount Jonathan Tolin's one-man play BUYER & CELLAR in the Broadway Theater of the Pride Arts Center, according to the company's Executive Director David Zak. The production will be directed by Chicago-based Donterrio Johnson, whose many acting credits include his Jeff Award-winning Judas Iscariot in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for Theo Ubique and most recently, his role as the Leading Player in Mercury Theater's production of PIPPIN. Johnson has also performed as an actor with Pride Films and Plays, in productions including UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG.

BUYER & CELLAR joins the schedule of shows previously announced for spring at Pride Films and Plays, including I KNOW MY OWN HEART which concludes its Jeff Recommended run on Sunday February 10; the musical SOUTHERN COMFORT, opening to the press on March 4; the drama AFTERGLOW, opening on March 27; and the world premiere of DESIRE IN A TINIER HOUSE on June 3.

BUYER & CELLAR is a comedy about Alex More, a struggling actor who takes a job managing a make-believe shopping mall in Barbra Streisand's basement. It was a 2013 off-Broadway hit, running for 13 months at the Barrow Street Theatre immediately after its sold-out world premiere at the Rattlestick Theatre. A national tour starring Michael Urie played Chicago for six weeks in 2014. It has been performed in many countries around the world since then. This will be the play's first Chicago production since the tour's engagement here.

Tolins, whose other playwriting credits include the gay-themed comedies LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE and THE TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS, was inspired to write BUYER & CELLAR after reading about Streisand's real-life faux mall in her book, MY PASSION FOR DESIGN. Tolins's comedy begins with the truth of the mall - a showcase for her collectibles like dolls and antique clothing - and imagines what it might be like to be the custodian of such a place for such a celebrity. BUYER & CELLAR is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs.

The role of Alex More has not been cast. The company will hold auditions soon. A casting notice will be posted shortly and interested actors may mail their resumes and headshots for consideration to PrideActor@gmail.com.

BUYER & CELLAR will be performed in the 85-seat Broadway Theatre of the Pride Arts Center. It will open to the press on Monday, April 15 following previews from Thursday, April 11; and will play through Sunday, May 19, 2019.

Donterrio Johnson (Director) is excited to be back at home with Pride Films and Plays - this time behind the table directing this new exciting production of BUYER AND CELLAR by Jonathan Tolins. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for intricate storytelling that is thought-provoking and modernistic, Donterrio Johnson has created some incredible art as both actor and director over the past 15 years. He was a Jeff Award-winner for his Judas Iscariot in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR with Theo Ubique and has earned raves for his Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL and his Caldwell B. Cladwell in URINETOWN, both with BoHo Theatre. He has also appeared in the Chicago cast of SPAMILTON and as Leading Player in PIPPIN at Mercury Theater and recently returned from a year-long stint in the National Tour of WAITRESS. Johnson's notable directing credits include: THE COLORED MUSEUM, 101 DALMATIANS , EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES WILLY WONKA, LAST FIVE YEARS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS AND THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Donterrio has worked with companies such as Pulse Theatre Company, Prisco Center, and The REPA Center.