The Ensemble Theatre Makes a Joyful Noise with MAHALIA

The Ensemble Theatre makes a joyful noise with the third show of its 40th anniversary season celebration with the musical Mahalia, by Tom Stolz and directed by Shirley Marks Whitmore, with musical direction by Melanie Bivens.

A joyous celebration of the life and music of the world's greatest gospel singer: a humble, deeply religious woman whose expressive, full throated voice carried her from a three room shanty in New Orleans to international fame. The joy and inspiration of her heartfelt songs provide a counterpoint to the urgent messages delivered by her friend, Martin Luther King Jr. Standing at his side, Mahalia Jackson became the musical voice of the civil rights movement. This harmonious tribute includes music by various gospel composers as well as hymns and spirituals made famous by Mahalia Jackson.

Featured Cast members include: Asia Craft, Andre Neal, Crystal Rae, and Dorothy Lastice.

The show begins previews on January 21 and runs January 26 to February 27.

The Ensemble Theatre's 2016-2017 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. United Airlines is the official airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Forty years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to being one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions.

The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.

For more information visit www.EnsembleHouston.com.

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