Justin Ellington News

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the World Premiere of What You Will, a BRT original interpretation of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night from February 10 through March 1, 2009. A daring and bold take on the classic comedy that combines the language of Shakespeare with contemporary rhythms and movement, What You Will is conceived and co-directed by BRT Artistic Director Keith Baker and Donald Byrd, acclaimed choreographer of Broadway's The Color Purple and Artistic Director of Seattle's Spectrum Dance Theater. Music direction and original music by hip hop producer Justin Ellington completes the marriage of text, high-energy movement and heart-pounding music. What You Will begins previews February 10, opens February 12, and closes March 1, 2009. Tickets are $29 - $37, with $10 student tickets, and are available by calling the Box Office at (215) 785-0100 or visiting the theatre at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, with information online at www.brtstage.org. [A full performance schedule follows on page 4.] In this new interpretation, Shakespeare's original text is heard with a distinctively contemporary American voice as the worlds of modern urban and classical theatre are fused. In What You Will (Shakespeare's full title for the play was Twelfth Night, Or What You Will), the social center of Illyria is Club 12th Night - a place where pranks and disguises, playful games and folly rule. A shipwrecked woman stumbles into the club, beginning a chain of events leading to an astonishing conclusion. Mistaken identities, intrigue, music, a beautiful heiress, drunken partiers, and a spiteful servant merge with a hip-hop rhythm in Shakespeare's enchanting tale of revelry and love.

Bristol Riverside Theatre concludes its Bridges Informance Series with Donald Byrd's renowned Spectrum Dance Theatre on Friday, January 9. Byrd recently choreographed Broadway's Tony-nominated hit The Color Purple, and he is the collaborator and co-director for BRT's upcoming World Premiere of What You Will.

Bristol Riverside Theatre concludes its Bridges Informance Series with Donald Byrd's renowned Spectrum Dance Theatre on Friday, January 9. Byrd recently choreographed Broadway's Tony-nominated hit The Color Purple, and he is the collaborator and co-director for BRT's upcoming World Premiere of What You Will.

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its Bridges Informance Series with visionary Hip Hop Theatre artist Will Power on Friday, December 5. Viewed as a pioneer in the genre of Hip Hop Theatre, Power has created his own style of theatrical communication, fusing original music, rhymed language and dynamic choreography to produce compelling evenings of work.

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its Bridges Informance Series with visionary Hip Hop Theatre artist Will Power on Friday, December 5. Viewed as a pioneer in the genre of Hip Hop Theatre, Power has created his own style of theatrical communication, fusing original music, rhymed language and dynamic choreography to produce compelling evenings of work.

Hip hop theater artist Will Power's fierce new coming-of-age tale infused with classic 70s funk has its world premiere tonight (Friday, October 24) at The Children's Theatre Company (CTC). FIVE FINGERS OF FUNK, created by Power in collaboration with composer Justin Ellington and director Derrick Sanders, runs through November 16 on the Cargill Stage as the first show in the ctc4teens season.

Classic 70s funk infuses pioneering hip hop theater artist Will Power's fierce new coming-of-age tale, debuting October 24 at The Children's Theatre Company (CTC). FIVE FINGERS OF FUNK, created by Power in collaboration with composer Justin Ellington and director Derrick Sanders, runs through November 16 on the Cargill Stage as the first show in the ctc4teens season.

Classic 70s funk infuses pioneering hip hop theater artist Will Power's fierce new coming-of-age tale, debuting October 24 at The Children's Theatre Company (CTC). FIVE FINGERS OF FUNK, created by Power in collaboration with composer Justin Ellington and director Derrick Sanders, runs through November 16 on the Cargill Stage as the first show in the ctc4teens season.

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its Bridges Informance Series with renowned theatre artist Teo Castellanos on Friday, October 17. Castellanos' appearance will continue to introduce audiences to innovative performances as BRT gears up for the February 2009 World Premiere of What You Will, a BRT original urban theatre adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night.

Classic 70s funk infuses pioneering hip hop theater artist Will Power's fierce new coming-of-age tale, debuting October 24 at The Children's Theatre Company (CTC). FIVE FINGERS OF FUNK, created by Power in collaboration with composer Justin Ellington and director Derrick Sanders, runs through November 16 on the Cargill Stage as the first show in the ctc4teens season.

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its Bridges Informance Series with renowned theatre artist Teo Castellanos on Friday, October 17. Castellanos' appearance will continue to introduce audiences to innovative performances as BRT gears up for the February 2009 World Premiere of What You Will, a BRT original urban theatre adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night.

Bristol Riverside Theatre is thrilled to kick off its Bridges Informance Series with renowned solo theatre artist Fred Curchack on Friday, September 5th.

Bristol Riverside Theatre welcomes Donald Byrd, acclaimed choreographer of Broadway's The Color Purple for its 2008-2009 Season.

Bristol Riverside Theatre is thrilled to kick off its Bridges Informance Series with renowned solo theatre artist Fred Curchack on Friday, September 5th.

Bristol Riverside Theatre welcomes Donald Byrd, acclaimed choreographer of Broadway's The Color Purple for its 2008-2009 Season.

Pick the diamonds cast, pick a winner. Pick the clubs cast, pick a winner. Miss the final leg of this explosive drama's three-state tour, you're a loser.

Two alpha-male wannabes in one cage equals explosive drama, either way you cast it.