Martha Redbone's BONE HILL Comes to Joe's Pub Next Week

As part of New York Voices, the artist commissioning program of Joe's Pub at The Public, iconoclast singer-songwriter Martha Redbone brings forth an epic, unexpected and personal American journey in Bone Hill, a new musical theater work featuring original music by Redbone and Aaron Whitby, and co-written and directed by Roberta Uno. On February 11, 13 and 14, 2015 at 7:00PM, Redbone will perform a concert of songs from the work-in-progress at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette, NYC), with an all-star band in tow.

Tickets are ($15 advance, $20 door) available online, via phone (212.967.7555) or in person at The Public's Box Office (425 Lafayette, NYC).

In Bone Hill, Martha Redbone explores her Appalachian mining family's heritage and history in an epic piece that spans generations and a breadth of music genres. Redbone calls on her Native American and African American roots to tell this unexpected family story that unveils a shadowy part of American history through breathtaking original music, humor and layers of dramatic revelation. "Bone Hill is the true account of my ancestors, of post-slavery, and people of color working in the coal mines of Appalachia amid the laws of Jim Crow and our survival as the original people of that land as the world changes around us through the generations," said Redbone.

"Martha and Aaron have a long history of performing at Joe's Pub. We are so excited to bring this incredible new work that not only tells a singularly American story but also tells the story of American music, from pow-wow to hoedown to classic soul," said Shanta Thake, director of Joe's Pub at The Public.

Director and co-writer Roberta Uno said, "Martha's music is ancestral, soul-shaking, and elevating ? I'm thrilled to be part of her new exploration of the American story."

Martha Redbone has brought the poetry of William Blake to the Appalachian Mountains, received awards and critical acclaim, all the while remaining a dedicated activist for the rights of women and the Native and African American communities. Redbone¹s music flows equally from her father¹s North Carolina gospel legacy proudly on display in her unique, award-winning blend of Native American elements with soul and funk on early recordings and recently her deep roots in Appalachian folk and Piedmont blues as favored by the matriarchy that raised her on a rich sojourn from Clinch Mountain, Virginia to Harlan County, Kentucky and beyond to Brooklyn¹s Dodge City-esque mean streets.

New York Voices is the artist commissioning program of Joe's Pub at The Public. As part of The Public's long history of cultivating the country's most celebrated artists, the program supports the creation of new works by critically-acclaimed musicians and performers. Encouraging artists to explore their own storytelling, narratives and songwriting, New York Voices includes a development workshop with The Public's artistic staff as well as practical resources like rehearsal space, time and financial backing. Each commission culminates with a run of live shows on the Joe's Pub stage. New York Voices has experienced great success in helping artists connect with their contemporaries and reach wider audiences - many of the program's works have gone on to tour nationally and internationally.

Artists commissioned by the program include Abigail Washburn, Bridget Everett, Noche Flamenca, Toshi Reagon, Lady Rizo, Allen Toussaint, Angelique Kidjo and Ethan Lipton, whose 2011 premiere No Place To Go went on to win an Obie Award.

The current class of New York Voices is actor and cabaret performer Daniel Breaker with director Kate Whoriskey, indie-folk singer-songwriter Dawn Landes with writer & director Daniel Goldstein, and soulful singer-songwriter Martha Redbone with director Roberta Uno.

ABOUT JOE'S PUB AT THE PUBLIC Named for Public Theater founder Joe Papp, Joe's Pub at The Public opened in 1998 and plays a vital role in The Public's mission of supporting young artists while providing established artists with an intimate space to perform and develop new work. Joe's Pub consistently presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community and artistic freedom. The organization also offers unique opportunities like New York Voices, an artist commissioning program that provides musicians the resources and tools needed to develop original theater works. Commissioned artists have included Ethan Lipton, Toshi Reagon, Bridget Everett, Allen Toussaint and more. In 2011, the Pub received a top-to-bottom renovation, leading to improved sightlines, expanded seating capacity and a new menu from acclaimed Chef Andrew Carmellini. With its intimate atmosphere and superior acoustics, Joe's Pub presents talent from all over the world as part of The Public's programming downtown at its Astor Place home, hosting approximately 800 shows and serving over 100,000 audience members annually.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC THEATER AT ASTOR PLACE Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public Theater is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day. Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today the Company engages audiences in a variety of venues-including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe's Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to its beloved, free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City's five boroughs. The Public's wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of the Company's dedication to making theater accessible to all, new and experimental stagings at The Public at Astor Place, and a range of artist and audience development initiatives including its Public Forum series, which brings together theater artists and professionals from a variety of disciplines for discussions that shed light on social issues explored in Public productions. The Public Theater is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust provides leadership support for The Public Theater's year-round activities.