Louis McKay

Beautiful Soup Theater's Shades of Blue: The Decline and Fall of Lady Day is an unconventional, almost chilling ode to Holiday that is careful not to emphasize and dwell upon the singer's musical accolades and success; in fact, it does little to promote her career and the person as seen through the eyes of her adoring public. This production, written and directed by the incredibly talented Steven Carl McCasland (who also founded Beautiful Soup and serves as the group's Artistic Director), wades in the realm of storytelling without the fantastical twist that people always enjoy adding to make their lives seem more interesting - to add drama where drama may sometimes be due.

After Beautiful Soup Theater's acclaimed and sold-out production of Little Wars in April, they proudly present the last two works in Steven Carl McCasland's trilogy examining women in the arts. SHADES OF BLUE: THE DECLINE AND FALL OF LADY DAY begins tonight, August 27, running in rep with WHAT WAS LOST. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast of SHADES OF BLUE in action below!

Steven Carl McCasland is a rising voice in the world of theatre. After their acclaimed and sold-out production of Little Wars in April, Beautiful Soup presents the last two works in McCasland's trilogy. The plays examine the lives of historical women in the arts. Beginning tonight, August 27th, Shades of Blue: The Decline and Fall of Lady Day and What Was Lost, an examination of Laurette Taylor's preparation for The Glass Menagerie, will open at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre.

Beautiful Soup has announced that Bettina Coley will replace the previously announced Carol Sims as Billie Holiday's mother, Sadie Fagan, in SHADES OF BLUE: THE DECLINE AND FALL OF LADY DAY... The play marks Denson's Beautiful Soup debut, in which she'll appear opposite her husband Ron Denson, who plays Holiday's final husband Louis McKay.

Steven Carl McCasland is a rising voice in the world of theatre. After their acclaimed and sold-out production of Little Wars in April, Beautiful Soup presents the last two works in McCasland's trilogy. The plays examine the lives of historical women in the arts. Beginning on August 27th, Shades of Blue: The Decline and Fall of Lady Day and What Was Lost, an examination of Laurette Taylor's preparation for The Glass Menagerie, will open at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

Steven Carl McCasland is a rising voice in the world of theatre. After their acclaimed and sold-out production of Little Wars in April, Beautiful Soup presents the last two works in McCasland's trilogy. The plays examine the lives of historical women in the arts. Beginning on August 27th, Shades of Blue: The Decline and Fall of Lady Day and What Was Lost, an examination of Laurette Taylor's preparation for The Glass Menagerie, will open at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre.

Beautiful Soup Theater will offer discounted marathon ticketing for both plays in their repertory program later this month. Audiences can save $6 and see both plays for $30 on marathon days: Saturday, August 30th, Wednesday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 7th. Simply select the 'See Both Plays' option at http://beautifulsoup.showclix.com.

Beautiful Soup has announced that Kristen Gehling will replace the previously announced Francesca MacAaron as legendary stage and star screen Tallulah Bankhead in SHADES OF BLUE: THE DECLINE AND FALL OF LADY DAY... Gehling will also appear in repertory as famed director Margo Jones in WHAT WAS LOST.

After Beautiful Soup Theater's acclaimed and sold-out production of Little Wars in April, they proudly presents the last two works in Steven Carl McCasland's trilogy examining women in the arts. Complete casting for both plays has been announced.

As previously announced, Beautiful Soup's critically acclaimed production of Little Wars returns for an extended engagement at The Dorothy Strelsin Theatre. The play will run in repertory with a workshop of McCasland's latest play, Shades Of Blue: The Decline and Fall of Lady Day.

TVGuide reports that Billy Dee Williams has been cast in the CBS drama NCIS. In the episode airing this October, the actor will portray LJ, described as 'a World War II veteran and close friend of the Gibbs clan.'

WICKED, the smash-hit musical, returned to SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE on July 29 as a Broadway/San Diego - A Nederlander Presentation, once again breaking box office records and receiving rave reviews. San Marcos native CHANDRA LEE SCHWARTZ will step into the role of Glinda on Friday, August 21; as Broadway's biggest blockbuster continues at San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, August 30.

WICKED, the smash-hit musical, returned to SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE on July 29 as a Broadway/San Diego - A Nederlander Presentation, once again breaking box office records and receiving rave reviews. San Marcos native CHANDRA LEE SCHWARTZ will step into the role of Glinda on Friday, August 21; as Broadway's biggest blockbuster continues at San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, August 30.

WICKED, the smash-hit musical, returned to SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE on July 29 as a Broadway/San Diego - A Nederlander Presentation, once again breaking box office records and receiving rave reviews. San Marcos native CHANDRA LEE SCHWARTZ will step into the role of Glinda on Friday, August 21; as Broadway's biggest blockbuster continues at San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, August 30.

WICKED, the smash-hit musical, returned to SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE on July 29 as a Broadway/San Diego - A Nederlander Presentation, once again breaking box office records and receiving rave reviews. San Marcos native CHANDRA LEE SCHWARTZ will step into the role of Glinda on Friday, August 21; as Broadway's biggest blockbuster continues at San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, August 30.