SpeakEasy Stage Company Presents THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS

From October 21 - November 20, 2016, SpeakEasy Stage Company will proudly present the New England Premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, a bold new musical by Broadway legends John Kander and Fred Ebb about a sensational true story that changed American history.

The musical, with a book by David Thompson, and which was originally directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, brings to light the shocking true story of nine African-American teenagers jailed in Alabama in 1931 for a crime they did not commit. With an exhilarating and infectious score that mixes gospel, jazz, and vaudeville, THE SCOTTSOBORO BOYS flips the script on the classic minstrel show to lay bare the fateful case that inspired the American civil rights movement.

Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS was the final collaboration for Kander and Ebb, whose works include such musical theatre classics as Cabaret, Chicago, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

SpeakEasy Founder and Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault will direct the New England premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Winner of the 2014 Elliot Norton Award for Sustained Excellence, Mr. Daigneault's SpeakEasy directing credits include productions of Significant Other, Violet, Mothers & Sons, Big Fish, The Color Purple, In the Heights, and Next to Normal.

IRNE Award nominee Matthew Stern will serve as Music Director and Norton Award-winner Ilyse Robbins will choreograph.

The cast for this production includes Darren Bunch, Shalaye Camillo, Taavon Gamble,

Russell Garrett, De'lon Grant, Brandon G. Green, Sheldon Henry, Wakeem Jones, Steven Martin, Darrell Morris, Jr., Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Aaron Michael Ray, and Isaiah Reynolds.

The design team is Eric Levenson (scenic); Miranda Giurleo (costumes); Daisy Long (lighting), and David Remedios (sound).

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will run for five weeks, from October 21 through November 20, in the Roberts Studio Theatre in the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston's South End.

Ticket prices start at $25, with discounts for students, seniors, and persons age 25 and under.

For tickets or more information, the public is invited to call the box office at 617.933.8600 or visit www.SpeakEasyStage.com.

John Kander and Fred Ebb (Music & Lyrics) are the composer/lyricist team behind of a series of musical theatre successes. Mr. Kander graduated from Oberlin College, and began his Broadway career as rehearsal pianist for Gypsy, for which he also did the dance arrangements. Mr. Ebb graduated from New York University and Columbia University, and, in 1962, teamed up with John Kander to write Flora, The Red Menace, in which Liza Minnelli made her initial Broadway appearance. Other theatre credits: Cabaret (Tony Award, Music and Lyrics); The Happy Time; Zorba; 70, Girls, 70; Chicago; The Act; Woman of the Year (Tony Award, Music and Lyrics); And the World Goes 'Round; Steel Pier; All About Us; Curtains; The Visit; and The Scottsboro Boys. Film: Funny Lady; Lucky Lady; Cabaret; New York, New York; Steppin' Out; Chicago; Kramer vs. Kramer; Places in the Heart; Still of the Night; Blue Skies Again. Television: "Liza with a Z," "Steppin' Out," (both Emmy winners); "My Coloring Book," The Academy Awards, "Baryshnikovon Broadway," "Goldie and Liza Together," "Breathing Lessons," "The Boys Next Door," and "An Early Frost." In 1985, "New York, New York" became the official anthem of New York City. Mr. Ebb passed away on September 11, 2004.

David Thompson (Book). Broadway: The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Nomination); Steel Pier (Tony Nomination); Chicago (script adaptation for current revival); Lincoln Center's Thou Shalt Not. Off-Broadway: The Scottsboro Boys (Drama Desk nomination, Outer Circle Critics Award, Lucille Lortel Award0; And the World Goes 'Round ( Drama Desk and Outer Circle Critics Awards); Flora, the Red Menace (Drama Desk nomination). McCarter Theatre: A Christmas Carol. Television: "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall" (Emmy nomination); PBS specials "Razzle Dazzle," "Bernstein on Broadway," "The Music of Richard Rodgers"; and Great Performances' "My Favorite Broadway." David is a graduate of Northwestern s Medill School of Journalism.

Susan Stroman (Original Direction and Choreography) is the recipient of five Tony Awards, ten Outer Critic Circle Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, two Olivier Awards and a record four Astaire Awards. Her Broadway credits include Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, The Scottsboro Boys, The Producers, Contact, The Frogs, The Music Man, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, Crazy For You, Big, Steel Pier, Show Boat, and Picnic. Off-Broadway credits include And The World Goes 'Round and Flora, The Red Menace. Susan has choreographed a full-length ballet for the New York City Ballet entitled "Double Feature". Other ballets include "Blossom Got Kissed" for NYCB and "But Not for Me" for the Martha Graham Company. For New York City Opera: Don Giovanni, A Little Night Music, and 110 in The Shade. Her choreography received an Emmy nomination for the HBO presentation "Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall." Contact won a 2003 Emmy Award for PBS's "Live from Lincoln Center" broadcast. She also co-conceived and choreographed PBS's "Sondheim at Carnegie Hall". She received the American Choreography Award for her work in Columbia Pictures feature film "Center Stage." Susan is the proud recipient of the George Abbott Award for outstanding achievement in the theater.

Paul Daigneault (Director/Producing Artistic Director) was the recipient of the 2014 Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence, presented by the Boston Theater Critics Association. Since founding SpeakEasy in 1992, he has produced over 100 Boston premieres. SpeakEasy directing highlights include Significant Other, Dogfight; Violet (2016); Mothers & Sons; Big Fish; The Color Purple; In the Heights; Xanadu; Next to Normal; Nine; Body Awareness; The Great American Trailer Park Musical; [title of show]; The Savannah Disputation; Jerry Springer - The Opera; The New Century; Some Men; Zanna, Don't!; Parade (2008 Elliot Norton Award - Outstanding Director, Midsize Company); Almost, Maine; Caroline, or Change; Take Me Out; Company; A Man of No Importance (co-production Súgán); Bat Boy: The Musical (2003 Elliot Norton Award - Outstanding Director, Small Company); Passion; A New Brain; Violet; Songs for a New World; Floyd Collins; Love! Valour! Compassion!; and Jeffrey. Regional credits: Grand Hotel and Nine (The Boston Conservatory and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music); Rent, City of Angels, Sunday in the Park with George, Merrily We Roll Along (The Boston Conservatory); Into the Woods, Urinetown, and Blue Window (Boston College). Paul is on the faculty at The Boston Conservatory where he teaches musical theater and directing. He was also honored in 2007 with the Boston College Arts Council's Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement, and served as the 2011-2012 Rev. J. Donald Monan S.J. Professor in Theatre Arts. Outside the theatre, Paul serves on the Board of the ICU Patient & Family Council at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

MATTHEW STERN (Music Director) is thrilled to return to SpeakEasy after music directing Violet and Big Fish. Recent projects include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Nutcracker (Stoneham Theatre); Shrek, Hairspray (Wheelock Family Theatre); Assassins (New Repertory Theatre); Ragtime (Fiddlehead Theatre); Parade, The Human Comedy, Pacific Overtures, Assassins, and Merrily We Roll Along (Boston University); Candide (Berkshire Theatre Festival); Saturday Night (Brandeis Theatre Company), and many productions at French Woods Festival. Matthew teaches musical theater on the faculties of The Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Boston University, and holds an MFA in Theatre Studies from Boston University. Upcoming: Mame, Altar Boyz (Stoneham Theatre), Brecht on Brecht (New Rep),

The Bridges of Madison County(SpeakEasy). www.mattsternmusic.com

ILYSE ROBBINS (Choreographer) is happily making her SpeakEasy debut. A choreographer, director, actress, and educator, Ilyse works professionally around the country. Choreography credits include United Solo Festival NYC, Stoneham Theatre, Hanover Theatre, Lyric Stage, New Rep, Underground Railway, Hope Rep, Fiddlehead Theatre, Overture Productions, Jewish Theater NE, American Stage Festival, Boston Theatre Works, Wheelock Family Theatre, Museum of Science, Publick Theatre, UpStage Lung Cancer, Boston Women on Top, Liberty Mutual, and Fidelity. Ilyse received the 2014 Elliot Norton award for Excellence in Direction and has received numerous IRNE awards for choreography. She teaches at Brandeis University and coaches presentation skills for Mohr Collaborative. Ilyse holds a BS in Theater from Northwestern University and an Ed.M. from Harvard University. Ilyse is an Associate Member of SDC

Darren Bunch* (Andy) is excited to return to SpeakEasy after appearing in 2014's Far From Heaven. Other regional credits include The Donkey Show (A.R.T.); The Goodspeed Opera House festival of new works; Dreamgirls (Northshore Music Theatre); Grease (Theatre by the Sea); Kiss Me, Kate; My Fair Lady; Bye Bye Birdie; and A Chorus Line (Reagle Music Theatre); and Equus (Off The Grid Theatre Co.). Touring: Freedom Train. Darren holds a BFA from The Boston Conservatory. Thank you to Paul D. and the SpeakEasy family for letting me add my voice to this important story, to mom, Matthew, and the family for your love and support, and to the ladies at Meg's for believing in me. For my dad.

SHALAYA CAMILLO (The Lady) is thrilled to be making her SpeakEasy debut. An actor, singer and writer currently working in film, commercials and theatre, some of Shalaye's regional credits include Hidden Faces of Courage (OWLL/Fort Pointe Theatre); Good People (AFD Theatre); SMILE! (New Exhibition Room); and for colored girls ... enuf (Boston University CFA). When offstage, you can catch her on TV and the web in ads for Thumbtack.com, Amica Ins., Care.com, and Bank of America to name a few. Recent feature film appearances include District C-11 in the US and Katie Fforde's Woman At His Side abroad (Germany). Outside of acting, Shalaye owns and operates a boutique real estate firm and is also one of 15 women union Bricklayers in New England.

Taavon Gamble* (Willie / Electrified Charlie / Dance Captain) is thrilled to make his SpeakEasy debut! Tour: Seussical. Regional: Oklahoma! (Trinity Repertory Company); A Chorus Line (New Bedford Festival Theatre); Candide (Quantum Theatre); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pittsburgh Musical Theatre); appearances with Ivoryton Playhouse, Theatre By The Sea, Ocean State Theatre Company, West Virginia Public Theatre, SSMT, Baltimore Shakespeare Festival. Workshops: My Heart Is The Drum, (Village Theatre); In Transit. Taavon is a graduate of Point Park University. ATB Talent. taavongamble.com

Russell Garrett* (Interlocutor) is excited to make his SpeakEasy debut. His New England stage appearances include A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre, Amadeus and The Elephant Man at New Rep; The Sparrow, Something's Afoot, and How to Succeed.. at Stoneham Theatre; A Little Night Music at Barnstormers: Cabaret and The Producers at Ogunquit Playhouse, and 42nd Street and Around the World in 80 Days at Ocean State Theatre Company. Broadway and National Tours include The Scarlet Pimpernel, Show Boat, A Chorus Line, and 42nd StreeT. Russell also works extensively around the country as a director and choreographer.

DE'LON GRANT* (Haywood) is ecstatic to return to Boston after four years to make his SpeakEasy debut. He has been touring North America for the past three and half years as Barry Belson in the Broadway National Tour of Jersey Boys. He has performed in the greater Boston area at the Huntington, Actors' Shakespeare Project, Lyric Stage, Underground Railway Theatre, New Rep, and Wheelock Family Theatre. De'Lon's other regional credits include work at The Studio Theatre in Washington DC, Theatre Wit in Chicago, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre and Gallery Players Theatre in New York. delongrant.com

BRANDON G. GREEN (Mr. Tambo) is gratefully making his SpeakEasy debut. He was recently seen in Lyric Stage's production of Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play and Company One/Arts Emerson's production of An Octoroon, for which he received the 2016 Elliot Norton award for Best Actor. Other companies he has worked with include: Cape Rep, Commonwealth Shakespeare, Nora/Underground Railway, Brand New Classic, 3050 Music Group, & Fresh Ink. A teaching artist with I Dream: Boston and Actors Shakespeare Project, Brandon holds a BA from Alabama State University and an MFA in Acting from Brandeis, where he teaches Suzuki Method. WATC.

Sheldon Henry* (Roy / Electrified Isaac / Billy) is making his SpeakEasy debut. He is a native New Yorker and has BFA from The Hartt School of Music. Recent credits include: South Pacific National tour, 20th Anniversary Riverdance International tour, The Prom, Guys and Dolls, DreamGirls, Central Avenue Breakdown (NYMF/DIMF), Five Guys Named Moe, Buddy Holly, Tommy, Parade, A Christmas Carol, and ShowBoat. Sheldon is also a proud alum of Boys Choir of Harlem. He would like to say thank you to his family, friends and wonderful agents at Carson Kolker for their continued support.

WAKEEM JONES (Eugene Williams). SpeakEasy: debut. Past credits include Cats, Hairspray (Just Off Broadway), Pippin, Aida, Once on This Island (Jefferson Arts Academy). Wakeem is a graduate of the Jefferson Arts Academy and a student at The Boston Conservatory.

Maurice Emmanuel PARENT* (Mr Bones) is elated to be returning to SpeakEasy Stage after appearing last season in Bootycandy. Also at SpeakEasy: Far From Heaven, The Color Purple (IRNE award), and Motherf**cker with the Hat. Other local credits: Underground Railway Theater (2016 Elliot Norton Nomination for The Convert), Actors' Shakespeare Project (Resident Company Member), Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Wheelock Family Theatre, New Rep (IRNE Award, Snow Queen), Lyric Stage, Huntington Theatre. He also won a 2008 Elliot Norton Award for his work in Some Men (SpeakEasy), Angels in America (Boston Theatre Works) and The Wild Party (New Rep). Maurice is a Boston Public School teacher and adjunct faculty at Boston University. Maurice will play the title character in Edward II with Actors' Shakespeare Project. MauriceParent.com

Steven Martin (Olen) is pleased to make his SpeakEasy debut. In New England, Steven has appeared with Moonbox Productions, Play More Productions, and the Footlight Club. He has appeared in The Wild Party, A Pint of Understanding, Up Where We Belong, Parade, Once on this Island, L'Elisir d'Amore, The Rape of Lucretia, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Steven is a proud graduate of UNC-Greensboro and The Boston Conservatory.

DARRELL MORRIS JR (Charlie / Victoria Price) is beyond thrilled to be making his SpeakEasy debut! He will be graduating from The Boston Conservatory with an MFA in Musical Theater this spring. Darrell has been seen regionally in Peter Pan (CIC Theater), Crazy for You (Reagle Music Theatre), and Peter and the Starcatcher (City Equity). Conservatory credits include Urinetown, Aida, and The Threepenny Opera. Endless gratitude to Paul Daigneault and everyone at SpeakEasy for this wonderful opportunity. To my mother- thank you for giving me a beautiful perspective on life and the world. @darrellmorrisjr

Aaron Michael Ray (Clarence Norris / Preacher) is delighted to return to SpeakEasy after appearing in The Color Purple. Regional: District Merchants (American Repertory Theater), My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, (Lyric Stage Company), Shrek (Wheelock Family Theatre), Wonderful Town, Singin' in the Rain, South Pacific (Reagle Music Theatre), A Little Princess (Fiddlehead Theater Company), and A New Brain (Moonbox Productions). Aaron has a BM in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music and an MFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. Special thanks to AJ, David, Mom, and Dad.

ISAIAH REYNOLDS (Ozie / Ruby Bates) is very excited to make his debut at SpeakEasy. A Milwaukee native, he is a junior at The Boston Conservatory studying musical theater. Some of his school credits include Avenue Q, Spring Awakening, and Urinetown. Regional credits include: Theater by The Sea, Skylight Music Theater, First Stage Children's Theater, and Sunset Playhouse. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unconditional love and support and the creative team for giving him this amazing opportunity.

For tickets or more information, visit www.SpeakEasyStage.com.

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