'Ebony Black' runs at South Street Seaport This Month

Ebony Black, a contemporary, multicultural children's musical inspired by Snow White, arrives at South Street Seaport in May. Performances are Saturdays at 3 p.m., May 12, 19 & 26, at the Seaport District Cultural Association Performing Space, 212 W. 14 St., Suite #2A SW corner of Beekman & Front Streets. The show features book & lyrics by NY Artists Unlimited's artistic director Melba LaRose, who created Little Red - Girl from the Hood (on tour throughout NYC for five years), music by Rachel A. Kaufman and choreography by Francis J. Roach.

Press notes state, "In this version, Iceola (or Icy), a rich lady from the Hamptons, orders up a daughter from the Gracious Home Shopping Network and requests: skin white as snow, lips red as blood, and hair black as ebony. A beautiful girl arrives at her door, but there has been a mix-up. She has: hair white as snow, cheeks red as blood, and skin as black as ebony. Escaping Iceola's wrath and helped along by the servants, Ebony goes on a singing/dancing trip through the multicultural East Village with a wacky band of musicians (the Royalists). Iceola, bolstered by chats with her computer monitor and a psychic network, impersonates hosts of TV shows (American Model, Trippy Makeovers) and a homeless Irishwoman to try to destroy Ebony. But, Royalists' lead singer Prince Freddy arrives just in time to save her. He dances a love ballet with her limp body, then kisses her awake and make her his Princess. In the end, Ebony discovers her own intrinsic beauty and self-worth, celebrated with a reprise of the show's title song, and Iceola is done in by a pair of red (glitter) shoes."

The show stars Kubbi (Ebony Black), Tristan Laurence (Prince Freddy), Lucia Manzella (Iceola), and as the band of Royalists: Thoa Dang, Nate Steinwachs, Joseph Lopez, and Melba LaRose. After the Seaport performances, the show will tour libraries, recreation centers, schools, and the like throughout the city.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 children. The show runs Saturdays at 3 p.m., May 12, 19 and 26. For reservations (strongly
suggested), please call 212-242-6036 (NY Artists Unlimited) or email: Nyartunltd@aol.com. For further information, visit www.NYartists.org.