First Stage Presents DON’T TELL ME I CAN’T FLY 10/28-11/13

First Stage continues its 25th anniversary season with the world premiere of DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY, an original play by Y York inspired by the life and art of Milwaukee collage artist Della Wells. DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY runs October 28 through November 13, 2011 at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street, downtown Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center box office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org.

DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY was part of the Kennedy Center's New Visions/New Voices Biennial Festival in 2010. The story glimpses the complicated family life of Tonia, a 9-year-old African American girl living 1960s Bronzeville Milwaukee, struggling to find balance between her parents' strategy of keeping a low profile and her own artistic soul. "The play is about how human beings use art to make sense of the universe and about the transformative power of art," said director, Mark Lutwak.

With an uplifting and inspirational message, this play marks the beginning of First Stage's Wisconsin Cycle. Over the next six seasons, First Stage will develop and produce six plays that celebrate the history and people of Wisconsin. "It is our way of honoring our state and our community for the incredible support that they have shown us over the last twenty-five years," said Jeff Frank, First Stage's artistic director. With these plays and associated workshops, special events, and educational initiatives the Wisconsin Cycle aims to raise awareness about the rich heritage of our state.
Director Mark Lutwak is currently Director of Education at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where he oversees programming that reaches over 58,000 young people annually in the Greater Cincinnati community. He is the former Artistic Director at Honolulu Theatre for Youth and has been a freelance director since 1976, with a focus on new plays and plays for families and children. He has directed over 20 plays by Y York, including AFTERNOON OF THE ELVES at First Stage in 1996.

The adult actor cast of DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY includes Tiffany Yvonne Cox as Alma Bridge, Chauncy Thomas (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Leon Bridge, and Chinai Hardy (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Aunt Franny.

Young performer roles are double-cast. Young performers in the Miss Katie Cast are Ashley Nord (as Tonia) from Glendale, and Matthew Wade (as Theo) from Milwaukee. Young performers in the Miss Merci Cast are LaNae Ramey (as Tonia) from Milwaukee and Dashaun McCray (as Theo) from Milwaukee.

The Artistic Staff for DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY includes: Collette Pollard (Scenic Designer), Daryl Harris (Costume Designer), Dennis Parichy (Lighting Designer), Matt Whitmore (Sound Designer), Michelle Hand, Member of Actor's Equity Association (Stage Manager), and Thomas Novak (Assistant Stage Manager).

Tickets for DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY start at $13. Tickets may be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.

Performance dates: DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY opens Friday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. Other performances are held: Saturday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 6 at 1:00 & 3:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 12 at 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
Special events for DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY

Opening Night Reception : Friday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Immediately following the opening night performance First Stage invites all patrons to attend the Opening Night Reception at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, located approximately 1 mile from the Marcus Center. Patrons will hae the opportunity to meet and mingle with the cast and crew of DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T FLY while enjoying refreshments, courtesy of First Stage.

Opening weekend: Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29
A drawing for a $20 gift certificate to Rainbow Booksellers will be held immediately following each performance. Gift certificates may be redeemed for a book purchase at the First Stage merchandise counter in the lobby or at Rainbow Booksellers, located at 5704 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee. One winner will be selected at each performance.

An extended talk back is scheduled immediately following the performance on Saturday, October 29. Playwright Y York, director Mark Lutwak and artist Della Wells will discuss the process of artistic creation.

Tickets and information: Call (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org

To post a comment, you must register and login.