Roland Hayes News

Cleveland Play House has in its recent history included small cast musicals in its offerings. Those shows included TAPPIN' THROUGH LIFE (Maurice Hines), BREATH AND IMAGINATION (Roland Hayes), WOODY SEZ; LIFE AND MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE (Woody Guthrie), THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BESSIE SMITH (Bessie Smith), and ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Janis Joplin). Each told a story about the person through their own words, their music, or from the mouths of those who knew them. Often they have been tied to Black History Month.

The Colony Theatre will present the second production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the West Coast Premiere of WHAT I LEARNED IN PARIS by Pearl Cleage. The production stars Tony winner L. Scott Caldwell, and is directed by Saundra McClain. WHAT I LEARNED IN PARIS will preview tonight, September 3; Thursday, September 4; and Friday, September 5 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, September 6 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, October 5 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street in Burbank.

The Colony Theatre will present the second production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the West Coast Premiere of WHAT I LEARNED IN PARIS by Pearl Cleage. The production stars Tony winner L. Scott Caldwell, and is directed by Saundra McClain. WHAT I LEARNED IN PARIS will preview on Wednesday, September 3; Thursday, September 4; andFriday, September 5 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, September 6 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, October 5 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street in Burbank.

The Tallest Tree in the Forest/written & performed by Daniel Beaty/directed by Moises Kaufman/Mark Taper Forum/through May 25

Roland Hayes, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson. While Robeson and Anderson are probably names that many Americans can identify, Hayes probably is not.

Four African-American women journey west to the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas in search of the freedom promised by the end of the Civil War. Saundra McClain directs Pearl Cleage's powerful historical drama Flyin' West, opening March 14 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on March 12 and March 13.

This week our nation remembered and paid homage to DR. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts during the American Civil Rights Movement. Cleveland Play House's next production, Breath and Imagination, will bring to light the story of a lesser known trailblazer in the cause for equality: Roland Hayes. Born the son of former slaves, Roland Hayes made a name for himself as the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist. Raised during the Jim Crow era, Hayes overcame many obstacles to achieve his dreams of becoming a professional singer and his ultimate dream of opening an integrated music school in the South. Breath and Imagination beautifully weaves together the life of Roland Hayes through classic spirituals, beautiful arias and original songs. Written by acclaimed playwright Daniel Beaty, directed by May Adrales, and starring Cleveland native Elijah Rock in the role of Roland Hayes, Breath and Imagination will run from tonight, Feb. 14 - March 9 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

This week our nation remembered and paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts during the American Civil Rights Movement. Cleveland Play House's next production, Breath and Imagination, will bring to light the story of a lesser known trailblazer in the cause for equality: Roland Hayes. Born the son of former slaves, Roland Hayes made a name for himself as the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist. Raised during the Jim Crow era, Hayes overcame many obstacles to achieve his dreams of becoming a professional singer and his ultimate dream of opening an integrated music school in the South. Breath and Imagination beautifully weaves together the life of Roland Hayes through classic spirituals, beautiful arias and original songs. Written by acclaimed playwright Daniel Beaty, directed by May Adrales, and starring Cleveland native Elijah Rock in the role of Roland Hayes, Breath and Imagination will run from Feb. 14 - March 9 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

2014 Winter/Spring Cleveland Theater Offerings

La Jolla Playhouse announces a fifth production for its 2013/14 season: the world premiere of The Tallest Tree, a new play with music written and performed by Daniel Beaty (Emergency, Through the Night), directed by Moises Kaufman (I Am My Own Wife, The Laramie Project). A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Tallest Tree will run in The Playhouse's Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre tonight, October 9 - November 3, 2013. The piece is produced in association with Tectonic Theater Project.

Just as opera singer Caruso valued music as the highest form of art, playwright Daniel Beaty creates his Breath and Imagination as a perfect theatrical gem, overflowing with simplicity and wisdom. Now onstage at the Colony Theatre, in its West Coast premiere, Breath and Imagination soars with a brilliant cast and smooth direction from Saundra McClain through October 13.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the West Coast Premiere of BREATH AND IMAGINATION: The Story of Roland Hayes, a true story by Daniel Beaty, directed by Saundra McClain, with Musical Direction by Rahn Coleman. BREATH AND IMAGINATION will open tonight, September 14 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, October 13.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the West Coast Premiere of BREATH AND IMAGINATION: The Story of Roland Hayes, a true story by Daniel Beaty, directed by Saundra McClain, with Musical Direction by Rahn Coleman. BREATH AND IMAGINATION will preview on Wednesday, September 11; Thursday, September 12; and Friday, September 13 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, September 14 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, October 13.

After a difficult year, The Colony Theatre today announced that is moving ahead with a new season. This is a result of support from subscribers and the theatre community, underwriting for the last two shows of its 2012-13 Season, and a major grant from the Marilyn P. & Wayne H. Kohl Memorial Fund.

Lincoln Center Theater presents an LCT3 Special Event of Mr. Joy, a 90-minute one-man show written and performed by Daniel Beaty and directed by Sheryl Kaller. The workshop production will be performed tonight, April 9, April 12-15, and April 17-21 at 7:00 pm at the Claire Tow Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the lineup for the 98th consecutive season of Cleveland Play House, the third in its new state-of-the-art theatres at PlayhouseSquare in downtown Cleveland. Two world premieres and great American music highlight the eclectic and contemporary 2013-14 Season. 'Nowhere else will patrons get such a wide variety of entertainment and at such a high level of quality,' reflects Bloom.

Lincoln Center Theater presents an LCT3 Special Event of Mr. Joy, a 90-minute one-man show written and performed by Daniel Beaty and directed by Sheryl Kaller. The workshop production will be performed April 8, April 9, April 12-15, and April 17-21 at 7:00 pm at the Claire Tow Theater (150 West 65 Street).

La Jolla Playhouse announces a fifth production for its 2013/14 season: the world premiere of The Tallest Tree, a new play with music written and performed by Daniel Beaty (Emergency, Through the Night), directed by Moises Kaufman (I Am My Own Wife, The Laramie Project). A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Tallest Tree will run in the Playhouse's Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre October 9 - November 3, 2013. The piece is produced in association with Tectonic Theater Project.

Humor, drama, history and passion are keys used to play a lovely chord as Roland hears music in everything he does and Tresnjak is the conductor who puts visual artistry to the emotions and plot.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, presents the world premiere of Breath & Imagination, play and original songs by Daniel Beaty, directed by Darko Tresnjak, on stage from January 10 through February 9. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.