Hartford Stage Announces Cast for Gee's Bend, 1/14 - 2/14

Hartford Stage has announced casting for Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder's gospel play Gee's Bend, which will begin performances Jan. 14, 2010.  The production, directed by Hana Sharif (2009-2010 Aetna New Voices Fellow, Rise and Fall of Day; Elliott, A Soldier's Fugue), will run through February 14, 2010.  Official opening night is January 20.

In Gee's Bend - inspired by a true story - a band sing hauntingly beautiful gospel melodies as they create magnificent handmade quilts in the small Alabama town. The story of Gee's Bend already has touched millions of people who witnessed their stunning quilt work through a national exhibition tour, in Newsweek, House and Garden and Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine.

The production was originally scheduled to be part of Hartford Stage's 2008-2009 season.

The cast will feature Kimberly Hébert Gregory (Sadie), Teagle F. Bougere (Macon), Tamela Aldridge (Nella) and Miche Braden (Alice/Asia). Gee's Bend will be designed by Scott Bradley (set design), Linda Cho (costumes), Lap Chi-Chu (lighting design) and Daniel Baker (sound design).

For a complete performance schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.hartfordstage.org.

Hartford Stage is an award-winning non-profit professional theatre. The company produce six major theatrical productions and one to two summer productions annually. The shows range from the classics...like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Tartuffe...to provocative new works...like Necessary Targets, I Ain't Your Uncle, and Spunk. Over the years, their productions have been recognized by the Tony Awards, the OBIEs, and the New York Critics Circle Awards. And, many highly acclaimed performers have graced our stage...like Jean Stapleton, Andrew McCarthy, Jesse L. Martin, Bradley Whitford, Ellen Burstyn, Angela Bassett, Ed O'Neill and Calista Flockhart.