Amun Ra Theatre's THE BLUEST EYE Runs Thru 3/14

Amun Ra Theatre transforms its black box theatre into a rural African-American community in 1941 to tell the story of one of America's most beloved and powerful literary classics, Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. Lydia Diamond's dramatization of Morrison's novel has played for audiences from Los Angeles to New York and is given its first professional staging in Nashville, under the direction of Kenetha Carr.

"Following the success of the fifth annual production of Langston Hughes' Black Nativity, ART is excited to jump-start the '2010 The Future is Now' season," according to Kea Everett, spokesperson for the company.

The Bluest Eye features a cast of Amun Ra company veterans, along with "a slew of brand new faces, some of whom are performing onstage for the first time," Everett explains.

The Bluest Eye runs through March 14, at the ART Playhouse, located at 2508 Clifton Avenue.

Diamond's play tells a story of a group of black girls known to Claudia MacTreer (played by ART regular Alicia Haymer in a starring role) in the fall of 1941, "the year the marigolds didn't bloom." Claudia comes to believe the marigolds didn't bloom because of the life and tragic events of her best friend, Pecola Breedlove (portrayed by Demetria Granberry, in her professional acting debut). Pecola, who is subjected to mocking because of both her dark skin and a suspected incestuous relationship with her father, spends her time longing for blue eyes, which to a dark-skinned black girl coming of age in a turbulent racial era, represent beauty and self-worth.

Directed by Kenetha Carr, who also directed last season's smash hit I Ain't Yo Uncle: The New Jack Revolutionist Uncle Tom's Cabin, this play is likey to be another standing room only show. According to Everett, the novel is currently a staple on Metro School's Reading List for High School students.

For the director herself, the production has been a learning experience: "I learned it's easier to direct when you have a cast full of passionate actors which made the experience enjoyable," she says. "It also allowed me to challenge myself in telling a story that the audience could relate to in some way, and give a truthful glimpse into the lives of African-Americans."

In addition to Haymer, other familiar faces in the cast include Joel Diggs and Jessica Townsend. Besides Granberry, other newcomers to the company include David Fletcher, Karen Shakir, Keisha Cunningham and Renna Zirker - fulfilling ART's mission to "expose The Hidden Light," which pleases Jeff Obafemi carr, company founder and artistic director.

"This production is sure to set the stage for the rest of the season," says carr, who is set designer for the show. "What I love is that it's a great story that does not shy away from controversial issues. People thought the character in the movie Precious had some issues. Wait until they meet Pecola Breedlove. I also am thrilled with the number of new faces that are in this show, many of whom Nashville has never seen perform before.I just hope we can hold on to them when it's done and no one spirits them away."

All performances will be held at the Amun Ra Theatre Playhouse, the first performance venue in Nashville owned and operated by a professional African-American theatre company in more than 100 years. The 50-seat black box theater features a box office, dressing rooms, an administrative office, storage and a lobby/lounge.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com or by phone at (800) 838-3006. For more information, call (615) 329-4228. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. each evening, except for Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Because of some of the issues dealt with in this show, it is recommended to ages 13 and up, and parents are urged to exercise their discretion.

Demetria Granberry in Amun Ra Theatre's The Bluest Eye

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