THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen at Davidson/Valentini Theatre

CELEBRATION THEATRE & LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER present the Los Angeles Premiere of the award-winning THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen Written and Performed by Les Kurkendaal-Barrett Directed by Tom Trudgeon Cultural Consultation by Brittney S. Wheeler

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT BEGINS THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 AT THE LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER IN HOLLYWOOD!

Celebration Theatre, under the artistic direction of Brittney S. Wheeler and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, under the artistic direction of Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx present the Los Angeles premiere of the award-winning (Dublin International Gay Theater Festival - “The Doric Wilson Cultural Dialogue Award,” Cincy Fringe Festival - Fringe Encore “Producer’s Pick,” Prague Fringe Festival – “The Best of Festival - Audience Pick,” Foundation Spotlight Award), THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen, written and performed by Les Kurkendaal-Barrett, directed by Tom Trudgeon, with cultural consultation by Brittney S. Wheeler. THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen will preview on Thursday, August 31 & Friday, September 8 at 8pm; will open on Saturday, September 9 at 8pm (press opening) and perform through Sunday, September 24 at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center, 1125 N. McCadden Place in Los Angeles.

While under anesthetic euphoria, a Black gay artist named Les is visited by the effervescent spirit of William Dorsey Swann, aka “The Queen.” Surviving antebellum enslavement, Swann rises from the ashes of racial oppression to become the first “Queen of Drag” and queer activist on record. During their journey, Swann guides a complacent Les through time, popping his Glinda-esque pink bubble of self-preservation, and provokes him to challenge all too familiar modern-day monsters.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST

LES KURKENDAAL-BARRETT (Les/William/Playwright) (he/him) is a Los Angeles based actor/ writer. He has been touring Theatre Festivals around the world since 2000. He also does stand-up comedy. You can also catch his weekly podcast “A Lifetime of Hallmark” where he pokes fun at movies on Lifetime and The Hallmark Channel.

TOM TRUDGEON (Director) (he/him) Directed Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart with Actor Saturday at Land of Tomorrow in Louisville, KY. Facilitated a 4-month workshop with artists to build ensemble and examine The Normal Heart, which benefitted The AIDS Walk Foundation and featured post-show conversations, The LGBT Community and Race: Let's Talk! with leaders from the Showing Up for Racial Justice initiative and Fairness Campaign. Stage credits include The Legend of Georgia McBride (International City Theatre); Arcane: Enter the Undercity (Secret Cinema/Netflix/Riot Games); Apollo 11 (Troika Entertainment); Good Boys and True, Antigone X, Machinal, The Duchess of Malfi (California Repertory); Private Lives, Good People (u/s Walnut Street Theatre); Bent (Philly FringeArts); The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Southern Baptist Sissies (Pandora Productions); Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest (National Shakespeare Company); McBeth – Over 2 Million Slain (United Stages of America); The All-Male Importance of Being Earnest (Wilde at Last at The Duplex). Tom is a member of Celebration Theatre Company. Tom teaches acting, voice and classical performance. MFA, California State University Long Beach.

THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen has assembled an award-winning design team: Scenic and Props Design by Michael O’Hara (he/him); Lighting Design by Matt Richter (he/him); Costume Design by Wyndell Carmichael (he/him); Sound Design by Becca Kessin (she/her). Rich Wong (he/him) is the Production Stage Manager. THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen is produced by Zachary Davidson (he/him) and Nathaniel Mathis (he/him). Associate producer is Parnell Damone Marcano (he/him)

SCHEDULE AND PRICING

THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen will preview on Thursday, August 31 & Friday, September 8 at 8pm; will open on Saturday, September 9 at 8pm (press opening) and perform through Sunday, September 24 at 3pm at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center, 1125 N. McCadden Place in Los Angeles.

Performances are Fridays, Saturdays and Monday at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm (Sunday, September 24 performance will begin at 3pm). There will be a “Drag Affinity Night” Performance on Monday, September 11 at 8pm and a “Black Out Night” Performance on Sunday, September 17 at 7pm.

Tickets are $20.00 - $35.00; Previews are $20.00 - $25.00; Regular Performances $25.00 - $35.00; (Prices subject to change). For tickets, further information or to view a complete schedule, please visit www.celebrationtheatre.org.

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For more information, photos, press interviews or for press comps please contact David Elzer/DEMAND PR at 818-508-1754 or at davidelzer@me.com. # # #

Calendar Listing: THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen Written and Performed by Les Kurkendaal-Barrett Directed by Tom Trudgeon Cultural Consultation by Brittney S. Wheeler

OPENS: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 at 8pm and runs through SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 at 3pm

PREVIEWS: Thursday, August 31 at 8pm & Friday, September 8 at 8pm

PERFORMS: Fridays, Saturdays & Mondays at 8pm; Sundays at 7pm (Sunday, September 24 will begin at 3pm).

Drag Affinity Night Performance: Monday, September 11 at 8pm Black Out Night Performance: Sunday, Sept 17 at 7pm

Davidson/Valentini Theatre at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center 1125 N. McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA, 90038

Ticket Price Range: $20.00 - $35.00 Previews are $20.00 - $25.00 Regular Performances are $25.00 - $35.00 (Prices subject to change).

For tickets or further information, please visit www.celebrationtheatre.org