Ron OJ Parson, David Alan Grier and More Come to the Beverly Arts Center, 11/17

On Mon., Nov. 17 at 7:30 pm, witness a twenty-year vision come full circle as NEW ONYX Theatre launches with an evening of theatre, conversation and song.

It was 20 years ago that Ron OJ Parson and a fellow group of talented, energetic actors, writers, directors and technical artists began Onyx Theatre Ensemble. They came together to produce exciting, innovative theatre and launched their company with a production of East Texas Hot Links by Eugene Lee, receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Onyx Theatre was truly the talk of Chicago and had several years of quality productions before closing.

Ron OJ Parson has carried the original vision of Onyx Theatre, tweaking and modernizing it over the years. Now in partnership with the Beverly Arts Center, East Texas Hot Links will be presented in April as part of the BAC Spring 2015 Professional Theatre Series. It will be the inaugural production of the NEW ONYX Theatre - twenty years after it was first produced in Chicago.

The heart and soul of NEW ONYX Theatre is to celebrate the African Diaspora on stage; to present a new cultural flavor to classic theatre; to generate new play development; to bring a new face to traditional theatrical performance; and most important and relevant today, to educate a new generation of actors and technicians.

Ron OJ Parson and David Alan Grier, friends and contemporaries, on stage, in conversation, promises to be full of insights, laughs and an insider's perspective of the world of theatre, film and television from two of its most successful professionals.

The evening will include the staged reading of a scene from East Texas Hot Links, directed by Parson and featuring several actors from Parson's productions at the Court and Goodman: Tyla Abercrumbie, A.C. Smith, Jerod Haynes, Alfred Wilson, Brian Weddington, Antoine Whitfield, Willie B. Goodson and Tyrone Phillips. This is a preview to the full production to be mounted at the BAC in the spring featuring these same luminaries of Chicago's theatre world.

Chicago's own and loved blues vocalist Felicia Fields will punctuate the scene with songs in the flavor of the era and setting of the play. There is no one better to put a smile on your face and a good "Blues" lesson on your mind.

Monday night being the traditional "dark night' for theatre allows for a special treat. Definition Theatre Company will present a scene from Genesis by Mercedes White. This young, innovative, multicultural ensemble of artists was founded by six 2012 BFA Acting Majors from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. They are "a new theatre for the next generation," representing this country's newest defined group, the Millennials.

An Evening with Ron OJ Parson is Monday, November 17 at 7:30 pm at the Beverly Arts Center. Tickets are $25 ($22 BAC members) and are available at 773-445-3838, at the BAC at 2407 West 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60655 or online at beverlyartcenter.org.

Ron OJ Parson is a Jeff Award-winning director, producer and working actor on stage, television and as a voice over artist. As the Resident Artist at Chicago's Court Theatre, increasingly multiethnic and multicultural audiences have enjoyed his directorial expertise for the past six years. Nov. 17 marks the official launch for Parson as Founder and Producing Artistic Director of NEW ONYX Theatre: Producing Collaborative Holistic Black Theatre Through Training and Professional Production.

David Alan Grier is a star of stage, screen and comedy. Primarily known for his dramatic work, he was a principal on the infamous Emmy Winning variety show of the 90's In Living Color. He has most recently added Grammy Nominee to his list of three Tony nominations. On Broadway Grier was nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his Sportin' Life in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for the same role. These days he's on the comedy circuit, hopefully bringing his solo act to Chicago soon.

About Beverly Arts Center - The Beverly Arts Center is a vibrant and multifaceted not-for-profit organization serving the Chicago metro area with high-quality programs in dance, visual arts, music, film and theater. The 40,000 square foot space houses a 400-seat theatre, an art gallery, exhibition spaces, music and dance studios, art classrooms and event rental spaces including a courtyard and sky-lit atrium. Founded in 1967 and located in Chicago's historic Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, the BAC is also home to an extensive community outreach program.

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