The Ensemble Theatre to Kick Off 40th Season Finale with SIMPLY SIMONE

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season finale with the regional premiere of SIMPLY SIMONE, a musical portrait of Nina Somone is directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Chika Kaba Ma'atunde. Written by Robert Neblet and David Grapes.

Nina Simone, from child prodigy; jazz superstar; civil rights activist; to political exile was one of the true divas of the 20th century and a genuine musical powerhouse; she defined a generation and defied classification. Her silky, soulful, and untamed, voice will put a spell on you. She'll melt your heart; she'll chill you to the bone. Simply Simone crosses genres from gospel to blues to Broadway to rock and roll, and features such definitive Simone classics as "I Loves You Porgy," "The Look of Love," "My Baby Just Cares for Me," "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Featured cast members include Teacake Ferguson, Rita Hughes, Lakeisha Randle, and Samantha West.

Previews: Saturday, June 24, 2017: 8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 25, 2017: 3:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 28, 2017: 7:30 p.m. Regular Run: June 29 - July 30, 2017, Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.; Fridays: 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays: 3:00 p.m. ****Opening Night and Media Reception is Thursday, June 29, 2017****

All performances take place at The Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main St, Houston, TX 77002. Call 713-520-0055 or visit www.EnsembleHouston.com for tickets and more information.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Forty years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to being one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions.

The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Late Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.