Pasadena Playhouse Presents "CONVERSATION WITH SERGIO MIELNICZENKO"

Pasadena Playhouse presents CONVERSATION WITH... SERGIO MIELNICZENKO on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena Playhouse's Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Pasadena Playhouse's CONVERSATIONS WITH... series continues in celebration of the West Coast premiere of The Night Is A Child, a new play by Charles Randolph-Wright. The Night Is A Child is the tale of one mother's search for understanding as she follows her heart to Brazil, where she finds healing and hope in the freeing rhythm of Samba. Learn about the origins and deeper meaning of Samba from one of the world's leading experts in Brazilian music, Sergio Mielniczenko.

Sergio Mielniczenko is the popular writer and producer of the Brazilian Hour Radio Program and host of Global Village Fridays (KPFK, 90.7). In his precise and placid, Portuguese-accented English, Sergio presents the best of samba, bossa nova, música popular Brasileira, Brazilian jazz. He coaxes his listening audience around unexpected corners -- and through regions and rituals and artists who fall off well-trammeled paths of bossa nova or jazz samba. As these things go, he is more than a bit of a ubiquitous dignitary, floating from festivals to tucked-away clubs to living room jam sessions. (BrazilianHour.org)

The Brazilian Hour takes listeners on a musical tour of its namesake land, with music ranging from jazz to samba, Brazilian pop, choro, and much more. Produced as a public service of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, the program began in 1978 to promote Brazilian music and culture in the United States. In 1981 the Brazilian Hour started a national distribution via satellite to all public radio stations in the United States. Currently The Brazilian Hour is produced in Portuguese, Spanish, English and French. Streams live at KXLU Saturdays and Sundays 9-10:00am (SPT) on 90.7 KFSR.

CONVERSATIONS WITH... is an audience enrichment program featuring distinguished artists, playwrights and directors in engaging discussions focused around a particular production. These Saturday afternoon special events offer theatergoers the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world on the stage while also expanding related ideas and themes that resonate within their lives.

Previous CONVERSATIONS WITH... guests have included Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Uggams, legendary actor/activist Ruby Dee, Academy Award-winner Marlee Matlin, esteemed actors Michael York, Carol Lawrence, Grammy Award-winners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., and the late Gregory Hines.

General admission tickets for CONVERSATIONS WITH... are $5.00. Admission is FREE with a ticket to The Night Is A Child. To reserve a seat to CONVERSATIONS WITH... email bnewport@pasadenaplayhouse.org. Tickets to The Night Is A Child can be purchased at the Pasadena Playhouse box office (39 S. El Molino Avenue), by phone 626-356-PLAY, or online www.pasadenaplayhouse.org. Mention code HHCW to receive a 20% discount on select seats to the show.