The Garden Theatre Adds PARALLEL LIVES To Their Lineup 1/8-9/2010

The Garden Theatre is pleased to present Parallel Lives, from January 8-9, 2010 at the Garden Theatre (160 West Plant Street, Downtown Winter Garden). Due to the overwhelming success of last year's staging, the Garden Theatre and producers have partnered to bring back the show to share the significant message of "how we got here." This no-holds-barred exchange is a personal reflection on surviving Jim Crow, in preparation for local MLK Day celebrations the following week.

Parallel Lives tells the story of two writers who grew up in segregated Central Florida during the final days of the Jim Crow era. This dramatic live documentary follows a black man and a white woman confronting the effects of their divided world by touring Florida's historic "lynching belt." Peg O'Keef and Joe Reed, two seasoned Orlando actors, portray the authors of the play.

ABOUT THE SHOW
Co-authors Beverly Coyle and Bill Maxwell came together in 1998 when the Florida Humanities Council commissioned each of them to write an essay recording their memories of being the last generation to grow up in legally segregated Florida. In 2002, the St. Petersburg Times gave the
Florida Humanities Council a grant so Coyle and Maxwell could turn their readings into a full-fledged play. This production was remounted at Seminole Community College in 2008 and directed by Jerry Klein.

Last season's presentation of Parallel Lives at the Garden Theatre was the professional premiere of the show and began a regional tour of the production. The performances are intended for mature audiences, and will be followed by moderated discussion forums. Patrons will have the opportunity to tour the historic Jim Crow balcony at the Garden Theatre and participate in an open discussion about race relations, past and present. The timing of these discussions is particularly significant as
it corresponds to the City of Winter Garden's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Saturday, January 16.

ABOUT THE GARDEN THEATRE
Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street, the Garden Theatre is operated by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit community organization which works to preserve local history and offers cultural theatric experiences unique to West
Orange County and the citizens of Winter Garden. The theatre restoration project, which began in 2003, showcases an atmospheric theatre in a Mediterranean Revival style venue. The former single
screen movie theater hosts live theatre, dance and music, cinema viewings, various community events and educational programs.

For tickets or additional information, contact the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736) or www.gardentheatre.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Garden Theatre Box Office, located at 160 West Plant Street.

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