Theatre NOVA Extends THE DEVIL'S MUSIC Through April 29

Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor's professional theatre with an exclusive focus on new plays and playwrights, is thrilled to announce an extension of its smash hit "The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith" by Angelo Parra. The show was slated to run through April 22 but has been extended through April 29 due to full houses, glowing audience response, and critical acclaim.

Audiences have said of the production: "One of your best productions! Wow! Can she ever sing and move. I could almost convince myself I was seeing the real Bessie. Excellent piano, too. A day later and I'm still tapping the beat. " "My mom and I found this performance to be a worthy way to spend our Sunday afternoon." "The show was fantastic. As musicians, my wife and I greatly appreciated the quality and talent of the vocal and instrumental performance displayed by both actors." "Great show. I brought my mom with me - 90 years old - There were times when we were both transported to a different time." "It was incredible! The performances were so musical, the actors were simply amazing, their work definitely shone through in this piece. Love love love! "

"The Devil's Music" will now be extended through April 29, 2018 at Theatre NOVA (410 W. Huron, Ann Arbor) a downtown performance space. Remaining performances are April 19, 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8pm and April 22 and 29 at 2pm. Theatre NOVA features free parking for patrons, as well as quick access to the city's restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops.

Theatre NOVA presents the Michigan premiere of this hit Off-Broadway musical celebration of the legendary Bessie Smith, whose life was as large and outrageous as her talent. "The Devil's Music" re-imagines Bessie's final electrifying evening after she and her band are turned away by a whites-only theatre. This is a musical celebration not to be missed, packed with a trove of Bessie's all-time hits, with songs like "I Ain't Got Nobody," "St. Louis Blues," and "'Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do."

"The Devil's Music" features K Edmonds as Bessie and Brian Buckner as her piano player, Pickle and is directed by Lynch Travis. The production team includes Forrest Hejkal (scenic design), Daniel C. Walker (lighting design), Brian Buckner (music direction), Haley Cook (costume design), and Michelle Resnick (stage manager).

Tickets are $25, and Theatre NOVA continues its commitment to making theatre accessible by offering pay-what-you-can tickets for those who need them. For tickets, visit TheatreNOVA.org, call 734-635-8450 (Tuesdays through Fridays from noon until 3 p.m.), or buy them in person at the box office one hour before show time.

Theatre NOVA is Ann Arbor's resident professional theatre company. Its mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.

Photo (L to R): Brian E. Buckner as Pickle and K Edmonds as Bessie Smith in "The Devil's Music"

Photography by Golden Record Media Company.

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