True Colors Theatre to Stage SPUNK, 9/17-10/13

Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company have announced their upcoming production of George C. Wolfe's Spunk, an adaptation of three short stories by Zora Neale Hurston directed by Hilda Willis. Spunk will run from September 17 - October 13, 2013 at the 14th Street Playhouse located at 173 14th Street, Atlanta, GA.

"I git to the git with some pain n' some spit n' some spunk." The verdant, earthy language of Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God) is animated through the music of the blues in these three tales of love, revenge, and redemption. Adapted by George C. Wolfe (The Colored Museum) and featuring musical narration composed by blues artist Chic Street Man, Spunk breathes new life into these three remarkable short stories from the Harlem Renaissance.

The first of Spunk's stories, "Sweat," tells of a young washer woman who is abused and betrayed by her estranged husband, and her ultimate triumph over him. The second story, "Story in Harlem Slang," is told in 1940's Harlemese. It is the tale of two street lotharios trying to out-hustle each other. The third and final tale, "The Gilded Six Bits," is a bittersweet story of an adoring husband's betrayal by his loving but innocent wife.

The cast includes Bernardine Mitchell, Cycerli Ash, Brad Raymond, Frank Faucette, Harry Case, and Gilbert Brown.

Tickets and information can be found at www.truecolorstheatre.org. The show runs September 17 - October 13, 2013. Performances are Wednesday - Saturday @ 8 and Saturday - Sunday at 2:30; Weekday Matinee: September 25, 2013 at 11 AM. All shows run at 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th Street, Atlanta, GA. Tickets: $15 -$60. Tickets are available by contacting Ticket Alternative at 1.877.725.8849 or www.ticketalternative.com or through the True Colors website at www.truecolorstheatre.org. Group Sales for groups of 10 or more are available by contacting True Colors' Group Sales department at 404.532.1901 ext. 201.

George C. Wolfe was raised in the state capital of Kentucky, Frankfort. As a member of the Frankfort High School Senior class of 1972, he was one of the leading lights of the drama club and a writer for the literary magazine. George left Frankfort in 1972, but returned many years later as a favored son. After years of hard work and determination, Mr. Wolfe became an honored Broadway producer, director, and writer, working with Joseph Papp, and now on his own. Mr. Wolfe was one of those responsible for the hit Broadway show, "Jelly's Last Jam", and won a Tony for his work on "Angels in America". He is now considered one of Broadway's most respected producers and directors.

Hilda Willis has performed and directed on some of the most well known stages in New York and other Regional Theatres. They include: The Apollo, The Cotton Club, The Baby Grand, Sweet Waters, National Black Theatre, The Mint, The Trilogy, Theatre Row, Billie Holiday Theatre, Lime Kiln, Mill Mountain Theatre, 7 Stages, Jomandi Theatre, 14th Street Playhouse and The Great Bay Plaza (Antilles), Highways Performing Arts Center, 4th Street Promenade Playhouse, The Beacon Theatre and Madison Square Garden. Some of her favorite professional roles include: (Lady Capulet) Romeo and Juliet, (Dr. Charlotte) Falsettos, (Amy) Stone Wall Country, (Ancestor) The Legacy: The History Of Gospel Music, (Mother) Breath Boom, (Clorine) Glory Bound and Woman (#1) in Mad At Miles: A Black Womans Guide to Truth.

Most recently, she staged and designed lights for India.Arie and Idan Raichel Open Door Concert, The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, Israel, wrote and directed a short play about Afeni Shakur entitled Afeni Shakur: In Her Defense, wrote Breathe: The Nicole Kelly Story and is the co-writer of Conversations with our Mothers, a new play written with Sandra Hughes which features both women in this two character play with music. Other directorial credits include: The Way Out, (Promenade Playhouse, Santa Monica, CA), The People Of Clarendon County Celebrity Reading, Producing Director For The Ossie Davis Endowment for Education NewYork/Chicago/Atlanta. She has also produced and directed for several televised specials. Hilda is currently the Education Consultant for Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company, the Executive Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Program for Youth (P.A.P.Y.) as well as the Producing Artistic Director of Living Your Art (LYA) and the Creative Director for India.Arie and SoulBird Music.

Before re-locating to Atlanta she resided in New York serving as the Artistic Director for the critically acclaimed CityKids Foundation as well as The Michael Bolton's Safe Space of New Haven, CT. These opportunities came because of her dedication to arts and education. Hilda's track record had already been established with Mind Builders Creative Arts Center, where she served as the Artistic Director for the award-winning Positive Youth Troupe (PYT) based out of Bronx, New York for 10 years and as a resident artist/director for The National Black Theatre (NBT) for 14 years. In addition to her work with PYT and NBT, Willis has served as director, advisor and consultant to a wide range of arts organizations and institutions of higher learning. They include: Touro College, Fordham University, Virginia Tech, Roanoke College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta College, North Carolina A&T State University, The National Black Theatre's Action Arts Institute, The Boys and Girls Club of America, 21st Century Community Learning Center, Community Works and Beacon School's Lab 200.

CAST in Alphabetical Order:

Cycerli Ash (Delia, Girl, Missie May, Ensemble)

Gilbert Brown (Man on Joe Clark's Porch, Jelly, The Rhythms of Time, Ensemble)

Frank Faucette (Man on Joe Clark's Porch, Slang Talk Man, Ensemble)

Bernardine Mitchell (Blues Speak Woman)

Brad Raymond (Sweetback, The Rhythms of Time, Ensemble)

Harry Case (Guitar Man)

DESIGNERS in Alphabetical Order:

Andre Allen - Lighting Design

Jonida Beqo - Costume Design

Renee Clark - Musical Director

Moriah & Isabel Curley-Clay -Set Designers

Bobby Johnston - Sound Designer

Juel Lane - Choreographer

True Colors Theatre Company is a National Theatre Company based in Atlanta. Founded by Artistic Director Kenny Leon, and Managing Director Jane Bishop, True Colors strives to be an important voice in the American discussion of diversity including plays and playwrights from various times, cultures and perspectives. True Colors season sponsors include Delta Air Lines, The Kendeda Fund, AT&T, Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, Bank of America, Georgia Power, Turner Broadcasting, Georgia Pacific, The Coca-Cola Company, Macy's, Fifth Third Bank, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Shubert Foundation, WCLK Jazz 91.9, Radio One Atlanta, Atlanta Daily World, Georgia Council for the Arts, the Fulton County Arts Council, the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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