Theatre by the Blind Presents YESTERDAY'S at Promenade Playhouse, Now thru 5/5

The owner of a failing jazz club seeks to save what her grandfather built, inspiring those around her to chase their dreams. Twelve visually impaired actors and musicians take the stage in Yesterday's, an original comedy created and performed by Theatre by the Blind, the country's only theater troupe composed entirely of blind actors. Created by the ensemble, co-written by Colin Simson and Lindsay Nyman, co-directed by Greg Shane and Lindsay Nyman, and presented by CRE Outreach, Yesterday's will run tonight, April 18 through May 5 at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica.

In Yesterday's, Candy is the owner of a failing Hollywood nightclub who tries to keep her business afloat by enlisting help from a gaggle of offbeat employees, including aspiring lounge singer Michael Quinn. When her plan fails, Michael finds an unlikely mentor in a blind street performer. Will Candy be able to save her beloved club? Or will "Yesterday's" be here today and gone tomorrow?

Blind in his right eye, Shane, who is also co-founder and artistic director of CRE Outreach, has a personal connection and sensitivity to the challenges faced by his visually impaired company.

"It's critical that these actors learn to trust one another and work together as a true ensemble," he explains. "They have to learn to navigate the stage and hit their marks using textured surfaces. Many of them lack self confidence, so we help them let go of their fears and train them to project."

Cookie, who stars in the role of Candy, lost her eyesight as the result of domestic abuse. Initially scared of the world and trapped by her darkness, Theatre by the Blind has helped Cookie to face her fears, push past her limits, maneuver around the stage freely and find her voice.

Arnette Coates, who plays Shreik, has been a member of Theatre by the Blind for eight years and has appeared in past productions of Revelations, Our Stories, Al a Carte Cafe, IDK, Hiding Eyes, Lights Out, Seeing Rain, Decider and Private Eyes. "Theatre by the Blind has changed my life in so many ways," he says. "It has given me confidence and has empowered me to see my disability as a strength rather than as a weakness."

Sean Gorecki takes on the role of Michael Quinn, his theatrical stage debut. "Acting allows me to escape from my daily life and become someone else. I love the challenge of stepping into a role," he says.

Melanie Hernandez plays Cynthia. She has appeared in previous Theatre by the Blind productions, including Hiding Eyes, Lights Out, Seeing Rain, Decider and Private Eyes. Melanie states, "Being part of this company has helped me become more patient, concentrate more and become a better listener. The most challenging part of theater is learning the lines and paying attention to who I follow in the script."

"Drama has helped me become more outspoken and seek new challenges," comments Leela Kazerouni, who plays Kitty. "It has brought me out of the shell I was in. It helps me to not be afraid to take chances and try new things."

Says Maria Perez, who plays Vicki, "To me, being blind meant living in a world where it is always night time; a night with no moon or even a single star to offer a bit of light and hope. I felt angry at life and at the world. I signed up for Theatre by the Blind and was truly surprised that through drama I could enter an entirely different world. I could be whatever and wherever I wanted to be. I also learned to be less afraid of moving around without being scared of bumping into things. Acting has made me an all together a happier and more confident person. My character in this play is very outspoken and self-assured. With direction and encouragement I was able to become this woman. And I think a little of that character is beginning to peek out in my real personality."

Ernest Pipoly served in the United States Air Force and became a truck driver after returning home from service. In his mid-fifties, Ernest lost his sight, profoundly changing life as he knew it. No longer able to drive or work, Ernest retreated from the world. His unexpressed anger led to an incapacitating stutter. In a bold move to regain his sense of self, Ernest joined Theatre by the Blind. His participation has transformed him from a shy novice with a major speech impediment to a seasoned actor who eloquently recites monologues and enjoys applying accents and dialects. Ernest's passion for acting is matched by his newfound enthusiasm for life and personal exploration. In Yesterday's, he plays ruthless real estate agent Herman Thorndike.

RoBert Smith stars as the mysterious blind street performer. Blind since birth, he has been performing for decades as both a singer and an actor. The son of Grammy award-winning singer O.C. Smith, Robert's unique voice has landed him gigs at Cesar's Palace, MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas as well as several appearances on television singing and acting on shows such as C.S.I., Harry and the Hendersons and a commercial for Marriott Hotels. For the past 22 years, Robert has led the entirely blind doo-wop trio, Outasight.

Sheila Walker is making her debut performance with Theatre by the Blind as Faith. "I'm nervous and excited to be out in front of the lights," she acknowledges. "This company has given me the confidence to trust myself more as well as trust others."

Pianist Laywood Blocker has been playing for 62 years. He currently performs with the Backyard Band and is releasing an album in the fall. He has played many venues in L.A. including the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, and was a winner on NBC's Gong Show.

Saxophonist Bert Grose was blinded by gunshots, consequently suffering five strokes and a 38-day coma. He has struggled with speech, mobility and extreme memory loss for most his life. Acting with Theatre by the Blind has helped him regain his memory by challenging him to learn lines and pursue his love of music.

Drummer Willie Robinson has been drumming for 48 years and has performed in Japan, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Los Angeles. Willie currently plays in the Lovely Band at the Spade Castle in L.A.

With a mission to utilize theater to enhance self-esteem, encourage self-expression and empower individuals to overcome the challenges in their lives, CRE Outreach transforms lives, one show at a time. Theater-based arts programs for at-risk students and the visually impaired include Creative Youth Theatre (CYT), teaching valuable life skills inherent to the play-making process - including teamwork, conflict resolution, public speaking, problem solving and responsibility - to under-served students in Los Angeles; and Changing Perceptions, empowering visually impaired actors to push the limits of their disabilities through the dynamic medium of theater. Changing Perceptions works with participants from three different age groups: youth (ages 8-12), teens (13-18) and adults. Theatre by the Blind, the adult outreach branch, is the only entirely blind theater troupe in the country, creating and performing original theatrical works.

Greg Shane is the co-founder and artistic director of CRE Outreach. Greg has run theater programs for prisoners, mentally challenged individuals and the homeless, and he has taught all over the world including in London, Dublin, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. For CRE Outreach, he has directed seven productions for Theatre by the Blind as well as staging productions for CRE Outreach's blind youth and teen programs. Greg has a B.A. in Theater from Tulane University and an M.A. in Educational Theater from NYU.

Co-writer Colin Simson shares his passion for performing through teaching. For over ten years, Colin has worked in both Boston and Los Angeles helping hundreds of students conceive, write and bring to life over 60 original children's Theater Productions. He has taught at schools in both the Los Angeles and Inglewood Unified School Districts and is currently a teacher in the music department at Seven Arrows Elementary School in Pacific Palisades. Colin can be found on stage in two local bands as lead singer for "The Gravity Guild" and drummer for "Up All Night."

Co-writer and co-director Lindsay Nyman started her acting career at age nine in the national tour of Ragtime. A graduate of UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, she has worked in film, commercials and television, and she was a dancer with the Eglevsky Ballet Company.

Yesterday's opens on Friday, April 19, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 3 pm through May 5. There will be one preview on Thursday, April 18 @ 8 pm. Tickets are $20, with one pay-what-you-can performance on Sunday, April 21; tickets to the preview performance are $10. The Promenade Playhouse is located at 1404 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, Calif. For reservations and information, call (310) 902-8220 or go to www.creoutreach.org.

Pictured: Ernest Pipoly and Cookie. Photo by Lynn Shane.

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