Penumbra Theatre Announces 2011-2012 Season, Begins With TWO TRAINS

Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, proudly announced its 2011-2012 season.

¨ Two Trains Running by August Wilson
Directed by Lou Bellamy
September 29 - October 30, 2011
Presented by Cargill

¨ I Wish You Love by Dominic Taylor
Directed by Lou Bellamy
November 18 - December 4, 2011
A Special Presentation at Penumbra

¨ Julius by Design by Kara Lee Corthron
Directed by Lou Bellamy
February 9 - March 4, 2012
Regional premiere
Presented by RBC Wealth Management

¨ Bourbon at the Border by Pearl Cleage
Directed by Lou Bellamy
March 29 - April 22, 2012

¨ The Amen Corner by James Baldwin
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Musical direction by Sanford Moore
May 11 - June 17, 2012
A Penumbra Theatre production presented at the Guthrie Theater

Season tickets go on sale July 15, 2011 through the Penumbra Theatre Box Office at 651-224-3180 or www.penumbratheatre.org.

"In our 35th Anniversary season we pause to consider the scope of our growth both in black theatre and as a nation," stated Founder and Artistic Director Lou Bellamy. "I've chosen retrospective pieces to remind us of where we've been, and a new play that helps us discover where we're going. Without one, the other would lose its significance as a barometer of our progress and condition. In Two Trains Running, the lives of six people are changed forever as they heed the call of the Civil Rights Movement. I Wish You Love portrays the dignity of that struggle and the burden it placed on the shoulders of one of our nation's most cherished performers. In Bourbon at the Border we discover the enormity of the price that those on the frontlines of the movement paid for our freedom. Julius by Design testifies that even the most heinous wrongdoing can be healed with forgiveness and faith. And The Amen Corner reminds us that personal uplift must also include family and community."

"One of our most important roles as a leading African American theatre is to maintain and stabilize a healthy black performing arts community," continued Bellamy. "Penumbra cultivates new work and new artists, even as we celebrate our past with giants like James Baldwin and August Wilson." OKRA, a rigorous culturally specific new play program at Penumbra has quickly gained national attention for the caliber of the playwrights involved and the complexity of the works selected. Penumbra's 35th season features two plays that were developed in OKRA - a special return engagement of I Wish You Love and the eagerly awaited regional premiere of Julius by Design.

Special Notes about 2011-2012 Season Packages
¨ Single tickets are on sale now for the special presentation of I Wish You Love at Penumbra November 18 - December 4, 2011. This production is not included in the season ticket package.
¨ The Penumbra production of The Amen Corner will run at the Guthrie on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. This production marks the 4th collaboration within the last 5 seasons between Penumbra and the Guthrie. The partnership between the two theatres allows each organization to offer a wider range of theatrical experience to a greater number of audience members. The Amen Corner is available as part of the Penumbra season ticket package.

On Stage this Summer
Every year Penumbra hosts the new play festival Word(s)Play! and showcases the final performance of the Summer Institute Class. An integral component of OKRA, the Penumbra new play program, Word(s)Play! is a week-long workshop in which playwrights are joined by directors, actors, designers and dramaturges to produce a staged reading. Summer Institute is an intensive training program where junior high and high school students work with professional artists to build community and challenge ideas, using theatre to make a real difference in the world. The Summer Institute final performance features an original piece created by the graduating class about social justice issues that matter to them.

¨ Word(s)PLAY! New Play Festival 2011
July 16: Journey to the Door of No Return by Psalmayene 24
July 23: Sweet Maladies by Zakiyyah Alexander
August 6: Tell Martha Not to Moan by Clinnesha Sibley

¨ SUMMER INSTITUTE Final Performance Graduating Class of 2011
August 1, 2011

Word(s)Play! and Summer Institute Final Performance tickets are free, however reservations are required. Reservations are available through the Penumbra Box Office at 651-224-3180 or www.penumbratheatre.org.

Penumbra Overview
In 1976, as a reaction to the stereotypical depiction of the black ethos, Lou Bellamy founded Penumbra to make art that roared with authenticity through the rich, unrestrained voice of black playwrights and artists. As Minnesota's only professional African American theater, Penumbra has achieved national recognition for its artistic excellence and signature style and has presented 155 productions including 35 world premieres. It contributes over $2 million annually to the local economy, and attracts new talent and media attention from across the country.

The ultimate goal of the Penumbra mission is to make socially responsible art that provokes thought and action around issues of racism and social justice. Penumbra activates its mission through three core programs: the main stage brings artistically excellent stories to life with an unflinching commitment to cultural authenticity; our new play program ensures that the African American experience is preserved by developing uncompromising stories; and, our education programs mobilize the power of art to create social change.

Bellamy continues to earn recognition for his work. Most recent awards include the 2009 Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Award for Public Leadership; the 2009 induction into The College of Fellows of the American Theatre; 2007 Obie for Best Direction of Two Trains Running at the Signature Theatre; the 2007 National Black Theatre Festival Lloyd Richards Award for Directing; and the 2006 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award.

Penumbra 2011-2012 Season
SEASON TICKETS GO ON SALE JULY 15, 2011
Box Office | 651-224-3180 | www.penumbratheatre.org

Two Trains Running by August Wilson
September 29 - October 30, 2011
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Presented by Cargill
In 1969 the Hill District is gentrifying, threatening the cultural heart of black Pittsburgh. Slated for demolition is Memphis' diner, the last refuge for a makeshift family of wounded souls who have all but given up. It takes a newcomer, Sterling-a young convict with a heart that lives up to his name-to change the rules of the game. Unknowingly, the regulars take up a fight that carries them headlong into the Civil Rights Movement. Two Trains Running is an inspiring story about the protest that changed a nation.

Julius by Design by Kara Lee Corthron
February 9 - March 4, 2012
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Regional premiere
Presented by RBC Wealth Management
Laurel and Josephine survived the murder of their teenage son by focusing on the small things in life: morning coffee, a crossword puzzle, their weekend plans. Secretly, though, Josephine has been writing letters to his killer. A story about loss, forgiveness, and courage, Julius by Design testifies to the power of hope in the wake of tragedy.

Bourbon at the Border by Pearl Cleage
March 29 - April 22, 2012
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Crusaders on the frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, Charlie and May had a love that seemed untouchable. However, they did not know the price they would pay for their idealism. Years later, bound only by the trauma of violence and terror they endured, they face a choice: survive alone or die together. Bourbon at the Border is the gripping story of their last fight for freedom.

The Amen Corner by James Baldwin
May 11 - June 17, 2012
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Musical direction by Sanford Moore
A Penumbra Theatre production presented at the Guthrie Theater
As the pastor of her church, Sister Margaret Alexander has devoted her life to the Lord and given up on earthly love. However, when her son's search for his father uncovers a secret from her past, Sister Margaret faces a reckoning. Featuring gospel music by Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, The Amen Corner questions the price of salvation.

Note: Penumbra season ticket packages include this production.

 

A Special Presentation at Penumbra
I Wish You Love by Dominic Taylor
November 18 - December 4, 2011
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Back by popular demand! In 1957, Americans were falling in love to the sweet sounds of Nat "King" Cole. His carefully manicured image distracted an entire generation of white viewers from the reality of racial violence raging in the streets. Still, Cole believed that with enough talent and persistence he would be judged on the content of his character as opposed to the color of his skin. Join us for this return engagement-an intimate portrait of one man, his music, and the dreams of a nation.
Note: This special presentation is not offered in the season ticket package.

Single tickets for I Wish You Love are on sale now through the Penumbra Theatre Box Office at 651-224-3180 or www.penumbratheatre.org.

 

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