Juneteenth Blues Cabaret debuts at Nuyorican 11/4

Fresh off its acclaimed hit August Wilson's Women, Juneteenth Legacy Theatre continues to highlight the African-American female experience with the Juneteenth Blues Cabaret, a tribute to five very special "Queens of the Blues." With a book and direction by Lorna Littleway and starring Jannie Jones and Jamil A. C. Mangan, this musical memory-laden retrospective begins performances on November 4th at the Nuyorican Poets Café, located at 236 East 3rd Street. The music director for the show is Ivan Thomas and the choreographer is Robin Hemmings. Members of the press are invited to all performances.

In an intimate salon, where spirits both liquid and ethereal flow freely, Cool Dude (Mangan) and Blues Queen (Jones) welcome their guests for a journey through the lives of Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Billie Holliday, Dinah Washington and Lena Horne -- told through the hardships they faced and the music they made famous. Divas all, these women knew what they wanted, and once they got it, fought to keep it with everything they had-sometimes until literally their last breath. From Ethel Waters' reign as the first Black leading woman in films to Dinah Washington being the first Black singer to have crossover appeal, these women made their mark on a changing world with a legacy that lasts to this day.

"I was always in awe of these women," Littleway explains. "Particularly Ethel Waters, who I had a soft spot for in light of all she went though. Married and divorced by 17, supporting her entire family, including her mother and grandmother, by working as a hotel maid for just five dollars a week. But she persevered, just like Billie, Dinah, Bessie and Lena did. These ladies are remembered today chiefly for the music they sung, but they accomplished so much more in their time with us. That's what I hope the show brings out."

The songs used in the production were specifically selected by Littleway for their ability to help illustrate the women who sang them; the tunes reflecting alternately, their loves and heartbreak, triumph and tragedy.

Jannie Jones* has appeared on Broadway in The Full Monty and in the National Broadway Tour of All Shook Up. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include: Mama I Want To Sing, Faith's Journey, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, Hair, The Colored Museum, Blues In The Night, Aint Nothing But the Blues, All Nite Strut, Crowns. She has received critical acclaim for her one-woman shows: My Castle's Rockin: The Alberta Hunter Story and Ethel Waters: His Eye Is On The Sparrow. She last appeared with Juneteenth in August Wilson's Women.

Jamil A. C. Mangan* is an actor, director, and teaching artist from the University of the Arts (Philadelphia) with a degree in theater arts. He is delighted to be working with Juneteenth Legacy Theatre again after appearing with them in August Wilson's Women. Other theatre credits include: Camp Logan (Kimble Theatre), What Would Jesus Do? (Billie Holiday Theatre), The Greeks (Manhattan Ensemble Theatre), My Lord What A Morning (Arden Theatre), The Piano Lesson (Arts Bank), My Soul Is A Witness as DR. Martin Luther King Jr. (Jenna Company), The Engagement (Wings) and Romeo & Juliet (Dandelion Theatre Co.).

Lorna Littleway (Book and Direction) has directed extensively for New York City companies and at regional theaters including: August Wilson's Women and Willie and Esther with Ella Joyce (Black Spectrum, Queens) and National Black Theatre Festival (NC); Mister Bluesman (Drama League and NBTF), When Miss Molly Hit the Triple Bars (New Federal Theatre), Member of the Wedding (Northeast Theatre Co., PA), Spunk (New Rep, Boston), Miss Evers' Boys and Fable of the Grandmama Tree (Stamford Theatre Works, CT).

Founded by Lorna Littleway and Krisi Pappailler in 1999, Juneteenth Legacy Theatre specializes in developing and producing exclusively new and original works about the African-American Experience and its Legacy. Ms. Littleway's direction and adaptation of August Wilson's Women for the company is a 2010 AUDELCO nominee for "Outstanding Ensemble" production. Upcoming projects for Juneteenth include A Night With Pearl Cleage's Women, which will begin performances on March 31, 2010. The company derives its name from the traditional African-American holiday, June 19, 1865, when slaves in the western territories learned of their freedom. For more information about the company go to www.juneteenthlegacytheatre.com

Running from November 4th through November 20th, Juneteenth Blues Cabaret will be presented at the Nuyorican Poets Café, located at 236 East 3rd Street (between Avenue "B" & "C"). Show times are Thursday-Saturday at 7pm. The Saturday, November 20th show will be at 3pm. Tickets: $25.00 at the door, $20.00 in advance on-line and $15.00 for students and seniors. All Thursday performances will be $10.00. Reservations: 212-780-9836 or www.nuyorican.org. The show is being presented under the Actors' Equity Experimental Cabaret Code.

Juneteenth Blues Cabaret is funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the New York Council for the Humanities.

The press is invited to all performances.

* - denotes a member of Actors' Equity

 

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