'The Women of Brewster Place' Premieres at Arena Stage

The world premiere of Tim Acito's musical adaptation of Gloria Naylor's novel, The Women of Brewster Place, opens at Arena Stage after its successful co-production run at Atlanta's ALLIANCE THEATRE. Molly Smith directs the powerhouse cast, including Tina Fabrique (Crowns, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), Harriett D. Foy (The Piano Lesson) and Marva Hicks (Cuttin' Up).

"The musical chronicles the dreams and realities of 10 diverse African American women who live in a decaying housing project in the 1970's. This powerful, humorous and uplifting musical from three-time Drama Desk Award-nominee Acito features a dynamic musical score, ranging from R&B to Funk to Gospel, with new songs being added for the Arena production," describe press notes. The Women of Brewster Place runs October 19 - December 9 in the Kreeger Theater; Opening performance is Friday, October 26 at 8PM.

Gloria Naylor, an African-American novelist, wrote The Women of Brewster Place during her studies at Yale. The book was published in 1983 and won the American Book Award for First Fiction. Later, Oprah Winfrey starred in the TV mini-series by the same title. Acito, an up-and-coming playwright who toured internationally as a modern dancer for years before getting his M.F.A. in playwriting from Yale, crafted the book, music, lyrics and vocal arrangements from Naylor's novel and soon after the work was picked up by Arena Stage to develop as a premiere.

As part of Arena's university partnership program, the musical received a two-week, on-campus workshop with Virginia Tech's Department of Theatre Arts during the summer of 2006. In January of 2007, it was chosen as one of two plays to be developed at the 5th annual Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at White Oak in Yulee, Florida. The move to Arena boasts the same talented cast, and gives the production team the opportunity to incorporate the discoveries of the Atlanta run.  Acito also co-orchestrates the production alongside Musical Director William Foster McDaniel.

The Women of Brewster Place cast include Cheryl Alexander (Sophie), Terry Burrell (Mrs. Browne), SuzzAnne Douglas (Tee), Tina Fabrique (Mattie), Harriett D. Foy (Lorraine), Eleasha Gamble (Wanda), Marva Hicks (Etta Mae), Monique L. Midgette (Kiswana), Tijuana T. Ricks (Cora Lee) and Shelley Thomas (Lucielia).

Directed by Molly Smith, the creative team includes William Foster McDaniel (musical director/co-orchestrator), Kenneth L. Roberson (choreographer), Anne Patterson (set), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Michael Gilliam (lighting), Garth Hemphill (sound) and Adam Larsen (projection). The Women of Brewster Place Stage Manager is Amber Dickerson, Assistant Stage Manager is Kate Olden, Production Dramaturg is Otis Ramsey-Zoe, Stage Management Fellow is Anna Johansson and the Directing Fellow is Vijay Mathew.

Tickets for The Women of Brewster Place range from $55-74, with discounts available for students and groups. A limited number of $10 tickets for patrons 30 and under go on sale beginning on Monday for the following week of performances (Tuesday through Sunday) until all available $10 tickets sell out. Patrons may purchase $10 tickets by phone, online or in person. (All patrons must be 30 or younger.) Patrons will be required to present valid ID for age verification. HOTTIX, a limited number of half-price, day-of-performance tickets, are available from 90-30 minutes before curtain prior to every performance for all patrons. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.arenastage.org, at the Arena Stage Sales Office at 1101 Sixth Street, SW or (202) 488-3300.

Show times:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7:30PM (Except no evening show November 6 and 6PM curtain November 11)
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM (Except no performance November 22)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2PM (Except no matinee November 4 & 11)
Weekday matinees at 12PM on October 31, November 6, 7 & 21

For a list of Special Events at the Arena Stage, visit ArenaStage.org