SLEEP DEPRIVATION CHAMBER, JULIUS & More Set for Penumbra Theatre's New Season

The Penumbra 2010-2011 Season

Sleep Deprivation Chamber

September 16 - October 10, 2010

by Adam P. Kennedy and Adrienne Kennedy

Directed by Robbie McCauley

After a college student is brutally beaten by the police, his mother begins a campaign to protect her son from the officer who claims the boy struck first. Sleep Deprivation Chamber is the harrowing autobiographical story of a mother fighting for her son's life at the risk of her own sanity.
Black Nativity: Now's the Time

November 26 - December 26, 2010

by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy

Directed by Dominic Taylor

This contemporary gospel musical celebrates the bonds of family, the power of faith and the appreciation of what money can't buy - the gift of love. Rejoice with the best jazz and gospel singers of the Twin Cities and members of TU Dance as they join Grandma Walker and her family to ring in the holiday season.
Julius by Design

January 20 - February 13, 2011

by Kara Lee Corthron

Directed by Lou Bellamy

Laurel and Josephine survived the murder of their teenaged 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.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

February 11 - March 6, 2011

by August Wilson

Directed by Lou Bellamy

Presented by Cargill

Special presentation at the Guthrie Theater

Tickets will only be available for purchase through the Guthrie.

It's 1927 and the fiery blues legend, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, has a golden opportunity to lay down a hit record with her virtuoso band. Inside a cramped Chicago recording studio, the agony and rage bound up in the blues gets amplified when a young talent threatens to dethrone the queen.

I Wish You Love

April 21 - May 22, 2011

by Dominic Taylor

Directed by Lou Bellamy

Special support provided by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

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 an intimate portrait of one man, his music, and the dreams of a nation.

NOTE: Tickets for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom will only be available for purchase through the Guthrie box office later this year. 

"Everyone has felt reverberations from the recession," stated Founder and Artistic Director Lou Bellamy. "Still, many have shown incredible resolve. To honor this spirit of determination, I've selected plays that celebrate ordinary people showing extraordinary courage when life tests our mettle. Art plays an essential role in trying times: it reminds us of our humanity. The stories this season promise to open our eyes as well as our hearts. Sleep Deprivation Chamber is a riveting look at a mother's struggle to save her son. Again Black Nativity testifies to the power of faith and family. Julius by Design insists upon humanity in the wake of a murder. In Wilson's gritty blues drama Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, pride is deadly in the face of racism and greed. And finally in I Wish You Love, Nat "King" Cole represents a uniquely American dilemma; how could a dapper and elegant star so endear white audiences and also be required to endure the insult of racial prejudice?"

Penumbra's 34th season features two world premieres - Julius By Design by Kara Lee Corthron and I Wish You Love by Associate Artistic Director Dominic Taylor. Both of these plays were developed through OKRA, a rigorous culturally specific new play development program at Penumbra. Launched in 2008 by Dominic Taylor, it quickly gained national attention within the industry for the caliber of the playwrights involved and the complexity of the works selected. After its premiere at Penumbra, I Wish You Love will be presented at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. in June 2011. As the 2011 recipient of the Fund for New American Plays, this play will run for two weeks in the Terrace Theater.

As part of its ongoing commitment to produce August Wilson's entire 20th Century Cycle, Penumbra has joined forces with Arizona Theatre Company to present Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Locally, this will be staged at the Guthrie Theater and tickets will be available later this year through the Guthrie box office. This partnership is based on the successful collaboration last year of A Raisin in the Sun which generated over $1.3 million in ticket sales, and attracted over 48,000 people to the Cleveland Play House, Arizona Theatre Company and the Guthrie Theater.

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 149 productions including 32 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. This is achieved through three artistic areas - main stage, education and new play development. The main stage presents the opportunity to delve into issues as embodied in the play. Education creates opportunities for audiences to explore the art and the issues in deep and meaningful ways. The new play development program provides a safe, nurturing and culturally specific environment for artists to create work without restriction or reservation.
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.

The Penumbra 2010-2011 Season

TICKETS GO ON SALE MAY 3, 2010

Box Office | 651-224-3180 | www.penumbratheatre.org

Note: Tickets for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom must be purchased through the Guthrie box office later this year.