Melba Moore In The Gospel Musical 'Crowns' Presented By Arsht Center And M Ensemble Company

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
and The M Ensemble Company
present

THE GOSPEL MUSICAL
CROWNS
STARRING TONY AWARD-WINNING AND THREE-TIME GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE
Melba Moore

February 2-6, 2011
Tickets $34
Carnival Studio Theater

Two of Miami's most respected performing arts organizations are collaborating to bring the gospel musical CROWNS to South Florida audiences during Black History Month 2011. The M Ensemble Company opens its 2010-2011 season with its debut performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County with the gospel musical CROWNS by ReGina Taylor. Adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, CROWNS runs from February 2-6, 2011 in the Adrienne Arsht Center's Carnival Studio Theater.

Tickets are on sale now for $34 and may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org. Discounted rates are available for groups of fifteen or more, and may be arranged by calling (786) 468-2326.

CROWNS is a dynamic cast-driven production telling the story behind the hats worn by church-going women. The show will feature male and female vocalists/actors, including Tony Award-winning Broadway star Melba Moore and M Ensemble veteran actors Lela Elam, Christina Alexander and Yaya Brown. New to the M Ensemble stage are international jazz vocalist Paulette Dozier, Chiquila Brown and Donny Seward.

The production is directed by Miami's own John Pryor, with Howard Moss, one of Miami's leading jazz percussionists, serving as musical director. This production of CROWNS will also showcase homegrown talent, with emerging Miami talent Joshua Eason serving as choreographer.

"What better way to usher in Black History Month 2011 than with a new collaboration with one of Florida's longest-running African-American theater companies and a co-presentation of the gospel musical CROWNS," said M. John Richard, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. "South Florida's dynamic church-going culture is a highlight of our community's rich cultural landscape and we are excited to welcome M Ensemble's audiences through our doors for this special presentation of CROWNS."

CROWNS is a moving and celebratory musical play in which hats become a springboard for an exploration of black history and identity as seen through the eyes of a young black woman who has come down South to stay with her grandmother after her brother is killed in Brooklyn, New York. Hats are everywhere, in exquisite variety, and the characters use them to tell tales as they embrace the cultural significance and explore their independent identities. Showcasing rap, gospel music and dance, CROWNS is sure to become a South Florida audience favorite this February.

A three-time Grammy Award nominee and Tony Award-winning actress, Melba Moore began her career in 1967 as a member of the original cast of the musical Hair and went on to win the Tony for her portrayal as Lutiebelle in Purlie. She has also starred in the Broadway spectaculars Les Miserablés, Timbuktu!, Sweet Songs of the Soul, and Ain't Misbehavin. MOORE is currently working on a new album that is set to release in early 2011.

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