'Nefertiti' Set to Song & Dance by Deeply Rooted Oct.4-7

Deeply Rooted Productions (DRP), which celebrates the African-American aesthetic through movement and music, presents a fresh perspective on a Chicago original with its world premiere production of Nefertiti: A Concert of Music and Dance. Performances are October 4 - 7 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago.

Nefertiti: A Concert of Music and Dance, directed and choreographed by DRP Artistic/Producing Director Kevin Iega Jeff and Co-Artistic Director Gary Abbott, is based upon the musical Nefertiti, which debuted in 1977 at the Blackstone Theatre in Chicago. Originally written by Christopher Gore, an Academy Award nominee for his screenplay for the movie FAME, and composer David Spangler, the musical "Nefertiti focuses on a love triangle between Nefertiti, the mystic pharaoh Akhenaten and the general Horemhab, who enabled the royal couple to lead an artistic, spiritual and cultural revolution that for 17 years changed a society locked in orthodoxy. That revolution introduced the concept of a single god-one who embraced love rather than war," explain press notes.

Nefertiti: A Concert of Music and Dance will tell this haunting tale primarily through movement and music, with some dialogue woven into the production to advance the story. Actors will play the principal roles, with DRP dancers and singers filling out the cast.

Music for the production is by David Spangler; lyrics are by Christopher Gore, Rick Gore and David Spangler; and the book is by Rick Gore and David Spangler. Musical director is Eric Alsford, and vocal arrangements are by Roberta Carlson and A'ric Jackson.

Deeply Rooted Productions presents Nefertiti: A Concert of Music and Dance Thursday, October 4 (Gospel Night preview) at 7:30PM; Friday and Saturday, October 5 & 6 at 8PM; and Sunday, October 7 at 3PM at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport.

Tickets are $25-45 and are available online through Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 312-902-1500 or at the Athenaeum box office. Discounts are available to students, seniors and groups.

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