Signature Theatre's MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA! Begins Previews Tonight

Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) today announced that performances begin tonight for MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA! by Athol Fugard and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production runs May 1 – June 10, 2012 with a May 24 opening night in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at the Company's new home The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between Dyer and 10th Avenues).

The cast includes Allie Gallerani (Off-Broadway debut) as Isabel, James A. Williams (Jitney) as Mr. M, and Stephen Tyrone Williams (Burning) as Thami. Ten-time Grammy Award-winner Bobby McFerrin provides music for the production.

In a classroom in a small Eastern Cape Karoo town in South Africa in 1984, Mr. M, an idealistic teacher, seeks to provide a future for his gifted student Thami by forming a debate team with Isabel, a spirited student from the locAl White school. But outside the classroom Mr. M's hopes for Thami are challenged by their generational divide and increasing political unrest.

Written in 1989 shortly before the end of apartheid, MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA! presents an honest and unflinching portrait of a country on the brink of revolution, and is a testament to the power and potential of youth, hope, and ideas.

The design team includes Neil Patel (Scenic Designer), Karen Perry (Costume Designer), Marcus Doshi (Lighting Designer), Robert Kaplowitz (Sound Designer) and Bobby McFerrin (Music). Amanda Michaels is Production Stage Manager.