BIRD LIVES Launches WACO Theater Center's Second Season

WACO Theater Center, the heart of NoHo Arts District will launch the second season with BIRD LIVES! Chronicling the life and times of iconic jazz artist Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. The production will run September 7th through September 23rd at WACO Theater Center.

BIRD LIVES! explores the life of jazz icon Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. Written by Willard Manus, directed by Tommy Hicks and featuring Darryl Alan Reed, the trio pours their love for jazz into sharing the life of Charlie Parker. From mimicking Parker's signature saxophone playing, sinking into the depths of addiction to escribing his many attempts at recovery, and expressing the joy and heartbreak of fatherhood.

The production tells the story of Parker as a leading figure in the development of bebop, a form of jazz characterized by fast tempos, virtuosic technique and improvisation, combining jazz with other musical genres, including blues, Latin, and classical. Parker is to Jazz what Elvis is to Rock and Roll; a renowned forefather of a new style of music that caught on and took the world by storm. Despite critical success, he experienced great heartache including not being allowed to stay in the hotels where he performed, nor being able to enter through the front door of establishments in segregated America prior to World War II.

Actor Darryl Alan Reed a Chicago native is a veteran theatre, who has appeared in “The Ties That Bind,” “Vivisection” and “The Viewing Room” at the iconic Goodman Theater in Chicago. Reed’s performance as Parker in BIRD LIVES! Is a challenging feat mimicking Parker's signature saxophone playing, sinking into the depths of addiction, describing his many attempts at recovery, and expressing the joy and heartbreak of fatherhood.

Director Tommy Hicks is widely known for starring roles in independent feature films including Spike Lee's SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT, Robert Townsend’s FIVE HEARTBEATS and Julie Dash’s DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, a Sundance Award winner. “I’m thrilled to honor the legacy of Charlie Parker as he represents the power of possibilities and living without boundaries,” said Hicks. A real fan of Parker's and jazz enthusiast. Hicks’ is committed to sharing Parker's successes and demons equally, allowing Reed to fully express the full scope of his adversity and success.

The creative team includes muralist Shawn Warren, and Set Designer, Ernest Gardner Jr., Light Designer Luz Tapia Gaitan and Sound Designer , Marcus Norris. Tickets for BIRD LIVES! will go on sale Friday, August 24th. Opening night tickets start at $100 and are available online at http://wacotheatercenter.eventbrite.com. Production will run 12 shows, September 7th-September 23rd. Opening night Friday, September 7th at 8:00pm.

ABOUT WACO THEATER CENTER
WACO Theater Center is dedicated to the empowerment of artists within a diversified pool of LA communities. The mission is to create a space Where Art Can Occur and where students are taught to develop their true purpose and awaken their individual power source which fuels their art. For more information on programs, classes and upcoming events, visit http://www.WACOTheaterCenter.com and follow @WacoTheater on Instagram and Facebook, @wacotheater on Twitter.

PRESS CONTACT
Erica Tucker, 919-449-6441
Erica@ascendprgroup.com

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