'The First Breeze of Summer' at Court Theatre

 

Court Theatre closes its 53rd season with Leslie Lee's The First Breeze of Summer directed by Ron OJ Parson. The production will run May 15 – June 15, 2008 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. The press opening will be Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.  
Obie Award winner and Tony-nominated "Best Play," Leslie Lee's rarely seen drama reveals a turbulent time in three generations of an African-American family. One hot June weekend, the family matriarch reflects on the lessons of her own youth and the three lost love affairs that shaped her life and her family while the conflict between her two teenage grandsons and their father comes to a head.

The cast includes Pat Bowie, Calvin Dutton, Ronald L. Conner, Jonathan Eliot, Brian Weddington, A.C. Smith, Jacqueline Williams, Taj McCord, Ebony Wimbs, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Alfred Wilson, and Marsha Estell.
 
The designers are Jack Magaw (scenic design), Joshua Horvath (sound design), Ray Nardelli (sound design), Marc Stubblefield (lighting design), and Christine Pascual (costume design). Sara Gammage is the production stage manager and Andrea J. Collignon is the assistant stage manager. Jocelyn Prince is the production dramaturg.
 
Previews are May 15 – May 23, 2008. The opening press performance is on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. The production runs through June 15, 2008. Curtain times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
 
Ticket prices are $32 to $38 for preview performances; $38 to $54 for regular run performances. Tickets are available at the Box Office, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; 773.753.4472 or online at www.CourtTheatre.org. Student and senior discounts available. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling Milan Pejnovich at 773.834.3243.
 
Exclusive Corporate Sponsor of The First Breeze of Summer is Hyde Park Bank. Ron OJ Parson's artistic residency is made possible by The Joyce Foundation.
 
Court Theatre, the professional theatre in residence at the University of Chicago, is located at 5535 S. Ellis Ave. in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. To purchase single tickets for The First Breeze of Summer or to receive more information, call the Court Theatre Box Office at (773) 753-4472, or visit Court's website at www.CourtTheatre.org.
 
Court Theatre's 53rd Season, under the leadership of Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Dawn J. Helsing, is generously supported by Richard and Barbara Franke, Hyde Park Bank, The Joyce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Sara Lee Foundation, Shubert Foundation, and the University of Chicago. Court Theatre is also funded in part by grants from CityArts Program IV of the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
 
Synopsis: Obie Award winner and Tony-nominated "Best Play," Leslie Lee's rarely seen drama reveals a turbulent time in three generations of an African-American family. One hot June weekend, the family matriarch reflects on the lessons of her own youth and the three lost love affairs that shaped her life and her family while the conflict between her two teenage grandsons and their father comes to a head.
 
Title:               The First Breeze of Summer
Playwright:     Leslie Lee
Directed by:    Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson
Featuring:       Pat Bowie, Calvin Dutton, Ronald L. Conner, Jonathan Eliot, Brian Weddington, A.C. Smith, Jacqueline Williams, Tai McCord, Ebony Wimbs, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Alfred H. Wilson, Marsha Estell
                      
Dates:            Previews:  May 15 – May 23, 2008                      
                       Press opening: May 24, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.                   
Runs              May 25 – June 15, 2008          
Schedule:      Wednesdays & Thursdays:       7:30 p.m.
Fridays:         8:00 p.m.
Saturdays:     3:00 p.m. (starting May 31) & 8:00 p.m.
Sundays:       2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Location:      Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.
Tickets:         $32-$54
Box Office:    Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online www.CourtTheatre.org

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