Unicorn Theatre to Present THE BROTHERS SIZE

Marking playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney's Kansas City debut, The Brothers Size is a lyrical tale of brotherly love, pulsing with the rhythms of the Louisiana bayou. When younger brother Oshoosi Size struggles to restart his life after leaving prison, he reaches out for help from his older brother Ogun. This modern tale explores West African Yoruba myth in a striking production that engages the audience as witness and judge. This drama contains strong language and mature subject matter as well as flights of poetry, music and dance in an exploration of freedom and the need to belong.

Critics have praised this MacArthur Genius Grant-winning playwright's talent: "McCraney's writing vibrates with a propulsive energy, suggesting massive stakes for characters who are trying to make their... hearts fit into the world" - Mark Blankenship, National Public Radio. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune has hailed The Brothers Size as "surely the greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more."

McCraney set out to write The Brothers Size because, as he has said, "I lived in the other America; the America that doesn't always get depicted in the cinema. The America that we are told to pretend isn't there. And in an attempt to create theater that told untold stories, that gave voice to another half of America, I created The Brother/Sister Plays."

Directed by Mykel Hill, the play features Damron Russel Armstrong as Ogun, Donovan Woods as Oshoosi, and Teddy Trice as Elegba.

The Brothers Size is on Unicorn Theatre's Jerome Stage located at 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. The show runs October 14th - November 8th, 2015. Previews are October 14th, 15th and 16th. Opening Night is October 17th.

Performances run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. If you are unable to afford a ticket, you may Pay What U Can at performances on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, because we believe art is for everyone. Talk back performances, where patrons are encouraged to stay after the show and discuss the play with the actors and director, are scheduled for October 20th, 25th and November 1st.

Tickets are now on sale. Call 816-531-PLAY (7529) EXT. 10, go online at www.UnicornTheatre.org or buy in person at the box office located at 3828 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111. Special discounts are available for seniors (65+), students, and patrons under age 30.

About the Director, Cast and Creative Team:

Mykel Hill (DIRECTOR) is excited to be back at the Unicorn Theatre where he has enjoyed some of his favorite all-time KC Arts experiences. His directing credits at the Unicorn include Blacktop Sky and The Mountaintop. A veteran professional writer, educator, and award-winning actor, he believes passionately in the need for quality arts programs in every school. The Rialto, CA native holds a BFA from the University of Wyoming and earned his MFA in Acting from the University of Washington's Professional Actor Training Program under Jack Clay. Other acting roles include: Commander Osembenga in Ruined, The King in The King and I, Jim in Big River, Coalhouse in Ragtime, Albert/Kevin in Clybourne Park, and Boy Willie in The Piano Lesson.

Damron Russel Armstrong (OGUN) Unicorn audiences may remember Damron from such shows as: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Exonerated, Bat Boy, Topdog/Underdog, and Ruined. Other KC credits include: KC Rep: Harriet Jacobs; New Theatre: Buddy Holly Story; Living Room: Race; Coterie Theate: The Wiz; Late Night Theatre: Valley of the Dolls; Theatre for Young America: Junie B Jones. Regionally: OSTC, RI: Rent; Palace Theatre, NH: Dreamgirls; Showpalace, FL: The Full Monty. Off Broadway: The Cradle Will Rock (Theatre 1010, NY), Children of Eden (Paper Mill Playhouse, NJ). Damron says to look for his new company in 2016: The Kansas City Black Repertory ...because there are more stories than can be told in a month.

Donovan Woods (OSHOOSI) Unicorn Theatre: Debut, West Side Story (Bernardo) at The Spinning Tree Theatre, Hairspray (Seaweed) and Leap of Faith (Isaiah Sturdervant) at Tent Theatre, The Cat in the Hat (Boy) and To Whom it May Inspire (Ensemble) at The Coterie, Footloose (Ren), Shrek the Musical (Donkey), and Almost, Maine (Lendall) at Crane River Theatre. Up next: Charlie Brown Christmas (Snoopy) at The Coterie. Donovan would like to thank God, family, friends, and the Unicorn cast and crew for an opportunity to work on such a dynamic piece of theatre!

Teddy Trice (ELEGBA) is overjoyed to be making his Unicorn Theatre debut in The Brothers Size. Teddy is a native of Kansas City and recent graduate from Drury University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Local credits: King Lear (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Lyle the Crocodile, The Wiz (Coterie Theatre). Regional credits: Lucky Stiff (Ozark Actors Theatre). Teddy would like to thank the creative and talented minds for bringing this production to life, along with family, friends, and patrons for their support.

The creative team for The Brothers Size is Tanya Brown (stage manager/properties designer), Jamie Lindemann (scenic designer/technical director), Alex Perry (lighting designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Shannon Smith-Regnier (costume designer), Amanda Boyle (dramaturg), Scott Stackhouse (dialect coach), Hannah Miller (production assistant) and Kelsey Brennan York (sound board operator).

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