Phoenix Theatre Presents Special Lobby Display for Goldie, Max and Milk

The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis announces a special display of photographs to appear in their Mainstage lobby during the run of Goldie, Max and Milk from February 3 through 27, 2011. Working with the Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition and the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition, The Phoenix Theatre will display selected photographs from a grant awarded to the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition as part of the lobby display for Goldie, Max and Milk, opening Thursday, February 3, 2011.

The Landscape of Breastfeeding Support in America awarded a grant in August 2010 to eight different breastfeeding coalitions in the U.S., funded by the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) through the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The grant funds were awarded for "intent of stories and photographs taken for the use of the USBC" and were submitted as part of the story and photographs titled the Naomi and Ruth Project by the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition and Indiana Perinatal Network.

Named for the story of Naomi and Ruth in the Bible, the photographs were taken by Anne Schollenberger, a local photographer and breastfeeding advocate. In the story, Ruth was a widow who was helped by Naomi, an older and wiser woman, overcome the difficulties she faced. Not technically family, Ruth and Naomi create a family of their own - not typical for that time. In Goldie, Max and Milk, Max is a single mother who just gave birth. She's unemployed, with a house that's falling apart, a crazy ex, and no clue how to nurse her new baby. Max feels that breast-feeding is best for her baby, but the milk just is not flowing, so her hospital has recommended a lactation expert, Goldie, an Orthodox Jewish lactation consultant, whose job it is to guide Max into motherhood.
The Phoenix has a reputation for covering topics that may be controversial and are always current. "It's our mission," says Phoenix Producing Director Bryan Fonseca. "I'd like to say that I chose this play knowing that this was Breastfeeding Awareness Month and that the Surgeon General would issue a call to eliminate obstacles to breastfeeding including new health care laws. But I didn't. I've only learned while working on the play that breast-fed babies suffer fewer illnesses and are less likely to become fat later in childhood."
"It has been a learning experience for all of us," stated Phoenix Marketing and Media Relations Director Lori Raffel, who has the task of creating a lobby display for each show produced at the Phoenix. "Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition founder Terry Jo Curtis not only was a part of bringing this exhibition to the Phoenix patrons, she also consulted with the cast on the accuracy and reasons behind lactation consulting and breastfeeding." The photographs, which now belong to the American History Archives, may be seen by patrons before and after Goldie, Max and Milk and during intermission.
A Phoenix First - Mommy and Me performance

Sunday, February 6 is a special Mommy and Me performance of Goldie, Max and Milk. New mothers are invited to bring their little ones with them to the 2:00 pm matinee on that Sunday only. Offering a live theatre in a baby-friendly environment with lots of extras, the Phoenix hopes to bring this important topic to a new audience.

About the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition

Established in January 2007, the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition was established to promote, empower, embrace, and encourage women to breastfeed. The I.B.B.C. encourages the African American Community to support women in their breastfeeding choice and efforts, with love not embarrassment. To not make these loving mothers ashamed in anyway. Our goal is to increase the breastfeeding rate as stated in the goal of the World Health Organization Initiative. I.B.B.C. is a non profit coalition; all work is done by non-paid volunteers. I.B.B.C. is striving to locate chapters in heavily populated black communities in the state. Every woman in Indiana should know her breastfeeding rights and exercise them.

Ticket Prices

All seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis and all Thursday tickets are $15, thanks to a grant by Duke Energy; Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances are $25. Performance times are: Thursdays at 7pm; Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Doors open ½ hour prior to curtain for seating. The Phoenix Pub, located inside the theatre, offers beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and bottled water, as well as treats, and all refreshments may be taken into the theatre and consumed during the performance.

For more information about any Phoenix Productions or to purchase tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre box office at 317.635.7529. Tickets may also be purchased online. The theatre's website is www.phoenixtheatre.org.

ABOUT The Phoenix Theatre
"The Phoenix Theatre has cornered the market on hip new works." -- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

The Phoenix Theatre is Indiana's only professional Contemporary Theatre, and has presented productions to challenge and entertain the Indianapolis community for 28 years. An Equity house, the Theatre presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many popular Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, and has presented more than 82 world premieres in its quarter century. The Phoenix operates the 130-seat proscenium Mainstage as well as the 75-seat cabaret-style black box Frank & Katrina Basile Theatre. The Phoenix Pub, located in the Basile Theatre, serves beer, wine, coffee, soft drinks, water, and treats, and patrons may take all refreshments into either theatre. Both venues are housed along with administrative offices in a renovated 1907 church in downtown Indianapolis' historic Chatham Arch neighborhood, part of the Mass Ave Arts & Theatre District. The Phoenix Theatre is a member of the National New Play Network and the League of Indianapolis Theatres, and is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as local corporate and foundation funders and more than 500 individual donors.

 

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