Racially-Charged Drama DETROIT BLUES Gets NYC Reading at Shetler Studios

The new racially-charged drama Detroit Blues announces their 29 hour reading, which will be directed by Obie award-winning Leah C. Gardiner (Public Theater, Soho Rep), written by Patrice Cassedy, with casting by Tara Rubin Casting. The readings will be held at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street - 12 Floor) on Friday, March 10th at 12pm and 3:00pm.

It's the summer of 1967, and racial tension is as high and as brutal as the temperature. But African American teen, Claudia -- raised by a physician father and politically-active mother to believe she can walk the same path as white classmates -- isn't worried about her future. When Claudia's beloved aunt reveals details of lost opportunities and racial violence in Claudia's family, and when Claudia and her mother are turned away by those who should support them the most, Claudia must make a choice: Should she stand aside or fight back?

The cast features Malika Samuel (The Music Man, Once on This Island) as Claudia Childs, Nikiya Mathis (Milk Like Sugar) as Lilly Childs, April Matthis (Signature Plays, Signature Theatre) as Rose Jackson, NaTasha Yvette Williams (Chicago, The Color Purple) as Essie Mae, Molly Ranson (Linda) as Amelia Plishka, Ty Jones (Enron, Power, Starz) as Dr. Joseph Childs, Evan Roe (Madam Secretary, CBS) as Phillip Petrie, and Nile Bullock (Scottsboro Boys, Old Globe) as Thomas Franks.

PATRICE CASSEDY (Playwright) is a San Diego-based playwright and dramaturg who writes character-driven works of historical and societal significance. Productions include: Detroit Blues, with music by Mike Cassedy (DC Black Theatre Festival; Actors' Equity Showcase, New York), War, She Said (The Gallery Player's 18th Annual New Play Festival, Brooklyn) and Bank Shot (Colony Theatre, Burbank and UCIrvine). She is a graduate, in book and lyrics, of New Musicals Inc., and was named a finalist for a San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Fellowship, Elizabeth George Foundation Individual Grant, and Theatre Lila's Trash Festival. Her work, including Future Sludge, Betsy and Denis, Not a Care in the World and The Loneliness Analog, has been performed at EST/LA, Los Angeles Dramatists Guild, Great Plains Theatre and Southampton Playwriting conferences, and Playwrights Project/Diversionary Theatre WordPlay Tuesdays. Patrice grew up in Detroit where she studied theatre at Cass Technical High School.

Leah C. Gardiner (Director) New York: Public Theater; Soho Rep (Obie Award); Urban Stages; Atlantic Theater Company; Manhattan Theatre Club, Rattlestick; Keen Company; Zipper Theater. Select national credits: Arena Stage; American Conservatory Theater; Berkeley Rep; Houston Shakespeare Festival; Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Alabama Shakespeare Festival; ALLIANCE THEATRE; Baltimore Center Stage; Studio Theatre; TheatreWorks; South Coast Repertory; Contemporary American Theatre Festival; Barrington Stage; Philadelphia Theatre Company; City Theatre; the national tour of Wit with Judith Light (Kennedy Center, Ordway, among others). As a writer/director: Sony Entertainment, Cultures Collide; as a short film director, The Belle Of New Orleans, ALLIANCE THEATRE; as a film producer, Mother of George, best cinematography, Sundance. As an actor: playing herself in Ira Sachs's recent film Little Men opposite Greg Kinnear. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and a MFA in directing from the Yale School of Drama. Leah is being honored this year at the Soho Rep Gala for her directing.