Brooklyn's Billie Holliday Theatre to Present World Premiere of THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY

Brooklyn's famed Billie Holiday Theatre will present the world premiere of THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY, a new play by playwright/director Jackie Alexander. The production will play a strictly limited engagement February 19 through March 22, 2009. Previews are Thursday, February 19 through Saturday, February 27. Opening night is Saturday, February 28. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15-$23, with additional discounts available for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.zerve.com/BHolidayInc/DrkAlley by phone at 212.209.3370, or at the theatre's box office at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street.

Set in present-day New Orleans, THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY is the story of three creole women, Celeste Thibedeaux and her two grown daughters, Claire and Janee Charbonet. Trapped by the conventions of intra-racial divisions within the African-American community, the sisters are pitted against their mother regarding issues of color, class, sexuality and generational differences.

Intra-racial prejudice - light-skinned blacks versus dark-skinned blacks - has had little exploration on the theatrical stage. "As society finally begins to embrace the rainbow of colors encompassed in the African American community, it's baffling that some within still cling to age old prejudices and myths that serve only to create division among us," playwright/director Jackie Alexander said. "African Americans are conquering what was once unthinkable heights. I hope this play is a reminder that the biggest hindrance to that progress is often self-imposed."

THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY stars Nicoye Banks, Michael Chenevet, Marcelle Gover, Zeb Hollins, III, Aura Vence, and Mari White. In addition to playwright/director Jackie Alexander, the creative team includes Jamie Durant (scenic design), Helen Simmons (costume design)) and Avan (lighting design and production stage management).

For more information about THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY, Jackie Alexander, and the Billie Holiday Theatre visit www.acrossthetracks.com/Priestess_home.html and www.TheBillieHolidayInc.org .

JACKIE ALEXANDER (Playwright/director) is an award-winning New York-based actor, writer, producer, and director. Screenplay and directing credits: Joy (feature), An Actor's Journey (documentary), and Rain (music video for soul singer MelSoulTree) Stage directing credits (Off Broadway, National Black Theater Festival): The Desire, Birthright, Plenty of Time, Storm Stories-True Stories from Hurricane Katrina. A short list of acting credits: Acted Within Proper Departmental Procedure; Losing the Light; Imperfection Flawed; The Death of Bessie Smith; Romance, Revolution & War; Tell Pharaoh, and Raisin' Hell. www.jackiealexanderproductions.com

MARJORIE MOON (Producer) is the President and Executive Director of the AUDELCO and Obie Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre - a position she has held for more than 30 years. A prolific director and producer, Ms. Moon has produced more than 150 productions including the Broadway's Inacent Black starring Tony Award winner Melba Moore. After earning her MFA from Temple University, Ms. Moon joined the Speech and Drama Department at Hampton (Institute) University. She later served as adjunct lecturer at Brooklyn College. She has served on panels for the New York and New Jersey State Arts Councils and on various advisory panels for the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; the National Endowment for the Arts and Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). Ms. Moon is the proud recipient of the National Black Theatre Festival 1999 Larry Leon Hamlin's Producer Award.

CAST

Nicoye Banks (Sweet)-Theatre credits: Zooman and the Sign, A hatful of Rain, Death of a Salesman, Trapped, Same Train and Greenwood and Soil. Film credits include G, Invincible, Hope and a Little Sugar, Pride and Glory, and the upcoming films Green Zone starring Matt Damon, and Brooklyn's Finest starring Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. Television credits include One Life to Live & Law and Order.

Michael Chenevert (Charles)-Theatre credits include One Monkey Don't Stop No Show and The First Lady. In New York, Michael has worked with New Federal Theatre, The Negro Ensemble Company, Take Wing and Soar Productions, Naked Angels, The Barrow Group, Here, Absolute and now the great Billie Holiday Theatre. His television credits include; Guiding Light, One Life to Live, and Unsolved Mysteries. Michael's film credits are; Breathing Room, which appeared on Sundance, Jam Session, Star Gazing, Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, Sexina: Popstar P.I., and Ahead of The Game. He has a BFA from University of Detroit Mercy.

Zeb Hollins III (Franklin) is a native of Baton Rouge, LA where his professional career as an actor began in children's theatre with PlayMakers. Currently, Zeb works as a workshop facilitator, and teaching artist throughout NYC. He has appeared in numerous productions including Indians, Julius Caesar on Wall Street, The Execution, Golliwhoppers, Camp Logan, Almost September, White Chocolate, Faith On Line, Storm Stories; and National Tours of Platanos and Collard Greens, and A Soldier's Story. He can be seen as Dr. Bingham Wattney, in the upcoming Independent Feature film Battle of Pussy Willow.

Marcelle Gover (Celeste)-Film credits include the award winning film Joy. Theatre credits: Imperfection Flawed, Monkeys, and The Phantom Sword's Revenge. She has performed with Lee Jackson Dancers and Penney de Jaeger throughout Europe, and was a regular on television (music & variety, and games shows) in Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, and her native Holland.

Aura Vence (Janee)- Aura was born in the beautiful country of Panama and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Favorite credits include The Savage Roses (Flatiron Theatre) and For Colored Girls... (Zoelller Theartre). TV & Film: Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 100 Centre Street, As the World Turns, Empire, Nora's Hair Salon, Silence, The Hustle, as well as various PSAs and commercials. She is a graduate of Lehigh University with a BA is Psychology and Spanish.

Mari White (Claire)-Film/Television credits include ESPN host, NYCTV's Summer Stage, and the soon to be released film Preacher's Kid along side Le Toya Luckett and RaéVen Larrymore Kelly. She currently hosts NET's (New Evangelization Television) most popular show IcthusEq a Christian teen music video program. www.myspace.com/mariwhite, www.facebook.com.