THURGOOD Returns to Illusion Theater Following Minnesota Tour

Following a well-received tour around Minnesota, the powerful one-man play, Thurgood, revisits the Twin Cities from March 9-19 at the Illusion Theater, located on the eighth floor of the Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Ave. in downtown Minneapolis.

Based on the life of Justice Thurgood Marshall and starring one of the Twin Cities' most venerable actors, James Craven, Thurgood is an eye-opening, humorous and inspiring portrait of a true American hero.

In Thurgood, the story opens with retired Supreme Court Justice Marshall returning to Howard University, where he earned his law degree, to give a speech. He then brings to life significant events and turning points - from his childhood in the back alleys of Baltimore to his career as a civil rights pioneer, and ultimately as the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.

The Minnesota Tour features actor Neal R. Hazard with stops in Blue Earth, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Faribault, Brainerd, Dawson, Hibbing and in March, Cambridge and St. James.

Illusion's Co-Producing Director Michael Robins directs the critically-acclaimed show by playwright George Stevens, Jr. Thurgood premiered in 2006 at the Westport Country Playhouse (Connecticut) and starred James Earl Jones. The 2008 Broadway production featured Laurence Fishburne, who was nominated for a Tony Award and later starred in the 2011 HBO film of the same name.

In addition to Robins, the Thurgood creative team includes Jonathan Carlson (video), Roberta Carlson (music), Dean Holzman (sets), Mandi Johnson (costumes) and Michael Wangen (lighting).

Tickets for Thurgood are $27-$35; Preview and student matinee tickets are $15. Tickets are available at the Illusion Theater Box Office at 612-339-4944 or online at www.illusiontheater.org.