Pay What You Want Performance of BLUES FOR MISTER CHARLIE at Loft Ensemble

Loft Ensemble in Sherman Oaks has announced a Pay What You Want performance of James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie, currently running through April 7. Half of all box office monies from the Sunday, March 31 performance (7pm curtain) will be donated to the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation (ETLF).

The Emmett Till Legacy Foundation dedicates its ongoing efforts to turning an ugly part of American History - the brutal murder of Emmett Till - into a positive, inspired, and empowered future for youth in America and across the world. With adequate support of ETLF initiatives and programs, a huge difference can and will be made in the lives of many.

First produced in 1964, this searing drama by one of America's leading writers retains all its power to this day. Richard, a black man who is a former junkie returns to his parochial southern town and infuriates the denizens with his incendiary talk and actions. When he is killed by a poor, illiterate, white man, the murder, the eulogy, the trial, and the acquittal are presented in an abstract dramatic form of time, fury, and passion.

Said the New York Times, "Fires of fury in its belly, tears of anguish in its eyes, and a roar of protest in its throat, [the play] throbs with fierce energy and passion." Of the Loft production, peoplesworld.org said, "Baldwin brilliantly uses words, as well as images, to conjure up the racism of Apartheid America in the deep South during the Civil Rights movement, which the large cast flawlessly and deftly dramatize ...."

Under the direction of Tor Brown, the cast features (in alphabetical order) Ben Anderson, Elijah Archibald, Bridget Avildsen, Stef Beaton, Jennifer Brofer, Noah Copfer, Nathan Davis, Emma Deckers, Latiera Harmon, Tiff Hubbard, Les Jennings, John F. Knight, Marc Leclerc, Kristian Maxwell-McGeever, Jazmine Nichelle, Kevin Padilla, Jefferson Reid, Diane Renee, Mitch Rosander, Devan Schoelen, Madylin Sweeten, Amanda Lyn Toan,and Tony Williams.

General admission tickets for regular performances are $20 with $10 tickets available for students with valid I.D. The regular performance schedule is Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm. Tickets may be purchased online at www.loftensemble.org or by phone at (818) 616-3150. The Loft Ensemble is located at 13442 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, 91423.