BHT to Premiere France-Luce Benson's FATI'S LAST DANCE, 10/19-12/15

The Billie Holiday Theatre kicks off its 42nd Season Generations United on October 19 with the World Premiere of Fati's Last Dance by France-Luce Benson and directed by the Theatre's Artistic Director Jackie Alexander. Previews begin Saturday, October 19 with the show running through Sunday, December 15 (Opening Night TBD). Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm with matinees on Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays at 4pm. Tickets range from $15-$25 and can be purchased online at www.thebillieholiday.org or by calling the box office at 718-636-0918 or 0919. Discounts are available for Children, Seniors, and Groups.

A laugh out loud comedy, Fati's Last Dance tells the story of Fatima Labelle, a young Haitian woman who after the death of her father loses her passion for dance and replaces it with a passion for eating and television. We watch as Fatima's family, which includes an aging ballet diva, a princely break dancer, and a reality show reject, along with a Brazilian guru attempt to move this sleeping beauty off the couch and into the spotlight.

Playwright France-Luce Benson states "Fati's Last Dance represents my on-going reflection on family dynamics from the Caribbean-American perspective, and my mission to explore dark aspects of human nature with lots of humor. I'm committed to shifting negative perceptions about Haiti's people and culture, so I wanted to write a play about Haitian-Americans in the Performing Arts world. Like many of the Haitian-Americans I know, these characters are educated, successful, and driven. But like many families, no matter where you're from, when they get together they are completely nuts!"

The Cast features Tanya Everett, Marcelle Gover, Ruffin Prentiss, and Ashley Rios. The creative team includes Traci Tolmaire (Choreographer), Patrice AnDrew Davidson (Set Designer), Helen L. Collen (Costume Designer), and Avan (Lighting Designer).

Fati's Last Dance received the Lorraine Hansberry Award for Playwriting from the Kennedy Center (Honorable Mention), was one of six plays selected for the inaugural Ignition Festival at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago, and was the winner of the Mary Marlin Fisher Award given by Carnegie Mellon University.

The AUDELCO and Obie Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre, proud member of The Coalition of Theatres of Color, serves over 30,000 people annually and has garnered a well-earned reputation for providing outstanding professional Theater Productions. Under the leadership of Marjorie Moon, the 200-seat Theater has a 40-week season dedicated to producing work relevant to the African-American/Caribbean-American experience. The Theatre is home to countless professional artists nationally and internationally including notable alumni Samuel L. Jackson, Debbie Allen, Samm-Art Williams, Weldon Irvine, and Tichina Arnold. The Billie Holiday Theatre is committed to providing quality theatre at affordable prices. Tickets range from $15- $25 and can be purchased online at www.thebillieholiday.org or by calling the box office at 718-636-0918 or 0919. Discount tickets are available for Children and Seniors.