Pearl Cleage News

Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia's professional classic repertory theatre, announces the extension of The Reclamation Repertory,  a rotating repertory of Pearl Cleage's epic historical fiction Flyin' West and Alexandre Dumas fils' enduring tragic romance Camille.

Virginia Stage Company has announced their 44th season as Hampton Roads’ leading professional producing theatre company. Not since 2018 has VSC been able to open its doors to a fully in-house produced season, but in September of 2022, it eagerly welcomes its patrons to a full and in-person 6-show season at The Historic Wells Theatre.

Everyman Theatre will close out its live, 2021/2022 season with R. Eric Thomas's World Premiere comedy, CRYING ON TELEVISION. The production at Everyman Theatre is directed by Reginald L. Douglas and runs from May 31 through June 26, 2022. At-home streaming is also available from June 17 through July 10.

Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY has announced its 2022-2023 season.

Writers Theatre will conclude its 2021/22 Season with Pearl’s Rollin’ with the Blues: A Night with Felicia P. Fields.  The production runs June 23, 2022 – July 24, 2022 in the in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Friday, July 1, 2022 at 7:30pm.

Ford’s Theatre has announced the Ford’s Theatre 2022-2023 season will include Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful, directed by Michael Wilson and featuring Nancy Robinette, Tom Story and Kimberly Gilbert; the return of the music-filled full stage production of A Christmas Carol with Craig Wallace reprising the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and more.

Keen Company Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein today announced that The Keen Teens Festival of New Work will offer three new one-acts by C. Quintana, Bleu Beckford-Burell, and Stephanie Swirsky, featuring a cast of New York City high school students.

Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia's professional classic repertory theatre, will conclude with Season XII: Breaking the Cycle with a rotating repertory of Pearl Cleage’s epic historical fiction Flyin' West and Alexandre Dumas fils’ enduring tragic romance Camille. 

Everyman Theatre will close out its live, 2021/2022 season with R. Eric Thomas's World Premiere comedy, CRYING ON TELEVISION. The production at Everyman Theatre is directed by Reginald L. Douglas and runs from May 31 through June 26, 2022. At-home streaming is also available from June 17 through July 10.

Tovah Feldshuh, Andrew Dawson, Kelly McAndrew, Matt Servitto, Allan K. Washington, and Kayce Wilson will join previously announced Arnie Burton, Jasminn Johnson, Lauren Molina, Reg Rogers, Ari'el Stachel, Jason Tam, completing the cast for the Gala Benefit Reading of Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart, directed by Mr. Silverstein. 

The revival of Pearl Cleage's rich and beautiful work 'Blues for an Alabama Sky' opened Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum. Go inside the starry opening night below!

Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky at Center Theatre Group gets a few topical buzz words in there, but there is nothing fresh, urgent, or timely about the piece. Pitting a closed-minded character against a cohort of progressive friends, the play is deadly: as dull as its message is heavy-handed.

Already in previews, Center Theatre Group’s Associate Artist Phylicia Rashad directs Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky at the Mark Taper Forum, with opening night April 13th. Set in 1930’s Harlem, the cast includes Joe Holt, Nija Okoro, Dennis Pearson, Greg Alverez Reid and Kim Steele. I had the opportunity to question Greg on some behind-the-scenes of Blues, as well as his history with his storied director.

The revival of Pearl Cleage’s rich and beautiful work “Blues for an Alabama Sky” opens Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum and continues through May 8.

Keen Company Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein today announced the first cast members for the Gala Benefit Reading of the beloved Broadway comedy Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart, directed by Mr. Silverstein and featuring an all-star cast. 

In the spirit of Sankofa, in order to understand our present and ensure our future, we must know our past. Through Reframing the Narrative, June 14–19 with seven performances on the Opera House stage, the weeklong programming highlights and recognizes the extensive contribution of Black voices in ballet.

Keen Company Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein today announced Hear/Now: LIVE!, the second season of audio drama, a cross between the old and new - commissioned world premieres presented using the traditional tools of radio broadcasts featuring live foley sound effects and live original music.  

Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson will begin the night with a pre-show address welcoming the audience into the theatre for this special performance of “Blues for an Alabama Sky” intended for Black-identifying theatregoers.

The Guthrie Theater today announced 10 ambitious, full-scale productions to commemorate the theater’s 60-year legacy: Qui Nguyen’s love-and-war comedy Vietgone; the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks’ Sally & Tom, produced in collaboration with The Public Theater and more. See the full schedule and find out how to get tickets.

In its 23rd season, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will explore the struggles and triumphs of people who sought to realize their own version of the American Dream. Whether their dreams came true or were deferred, their stories make for compelling, can't-miss shows on the WBTT stage.