SKELETON CREW By Dominique Morisseau Comes to The Alley Theatre

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Neuhaus Season opener, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Taibi Magar. Skeleton Crew is the story of four factory workers at the last automobile stamping plant in Detroit and their struggle to survive as the industry and their way of life is dramatically changed. The play runs September 7 - October 7, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

Skeleton Crew is set in 2008 - the start of the Great Recession. In the breakroom of one of Detroit's last auto stamping plants, a makeshift family of co-workers swap stories, share dreams, and take pride in their work. When confronted with the life-altering choices they must face if the factory closes, dynamics shift and each is pushed to the limits of survival. Loyalties are tested and boundaries are crossed in this "deeply American play" (The New York Times).

"We open the 2018-19 Season with award-winning author Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew - a powerful drama about morality and survival in Detroit during the recession. Along with the artistic staff, I chose this production for its universal themes and emotional connectivity. I hope audiences will feel the power of this extraordinary play and humanity of its characters," said Black.

The Skeleton Crew cast includes Alley Resident Company member David Rainey (A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Christmas Carol) as Reggie, Lizan Mitchell (Arena Stage's A Raisin the Sun, The Old Globe's The Tempest) as Faye, Candice D'Meza (Alley's The Cake, Main Street Theater's Men on Boats) as Shanita, and Brandon J. Morgan (Alley's The Great Society, Stages Repertory Theatre's My Mañana Comes) as Dez.

The Skeleton Crew creative team includes Director Taibi Magar, Scenic Designer Kevin Rigdon, Costume Designer Samantha C. Jones, Lighting Designer Jason Lynch, Sound Designer Mikaal Sulaiman, and Stage Manager Emily Bohannan.

Named one of Variety's Women of Impact for 2017-18, Obie award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau is the author of The Detroit Project (A Three-Play Cycle) which includes the following plays: Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre), and Detroit '67 (Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and NBT). Dominique is an alumna of The Public Theater Emerging Writer's Group, Women's Project Lab, and Lark Playwrights Workshop and has developed work at Sundance Lab, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Eugene O'Neil Playwrights Conference. She most recently served as Co-Producer on the Showtime series "Shameless."

Performances of Skeleton Crew are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Skeleton Crew is recommended for ages 15 and up.

SPONSORS: The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2018-19 season sponsor United Airlines, the official airline of The Alley Theatre; Four Seasons Hotel Houston, the official hotel of The Alley Theatre; and Lynn Wyatt.

TICKETS: Tickets to Skeleton Crew are now on sale and start at $45. Discounted tickets are available for military, seniors, and any student, regardless of age, with a valid student ID for designated performances. Tickets can be ordered online (alleytheatre.org) or by phone (713.220.5700).