Andre De Shields Brings MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY to Abingdon Theatre, 2/4 - 2/14

In celebration of Black History Month 2010, The Working Theater Mark Plesent, Producing Director, will present award-winning Broadway star André De Shields performing his solo work-in-progress entitled Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance for 12 performances only from Thursday, February 4 through Sunday February 14 at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36 Street. Conceived, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, Mine Eyes is directed by Alfred Preisser.

Mr. De Shields notes that the months of January and February 2010 host the following historic events: Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday (Jan 19); the first anniversary of the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama (Jan 20); Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feb 12) and the anniversary of Frederick Douglass' birth (Feb/1818). "In my performance, I explore the life and achievements of the Great Emancipator, Frederick Douglass. Douglass began his life as a slave, through heroic efforts, became one of America's most important and historically influential African American leaders."

André De Shields has appeared in numerous Broadway, Off Broadway and regional productions as well as television and film. He recently starred in David Mamet's A Life in the Theatre at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. More recently he appeared in The Public Theatre's production of Euripides' The Bacchae in Central Park and starred in The Classical Theatre of Harlem production of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe. On Broadway, he appeared in Impressionism as well as the original Broadway casts of The Wiz, Ain't Misbehavin' (Emmy Award), Play On!, The Full Monty and Prymate, among many others. He also conceived, co-wrote, directed, and starred in Haarlem Nocturne. This summer, he was presented with The National Black Theatre Festival's "Living Legend" Award. A two-time Tony Award nominee, he just won The VIV Award--named after AUDELCO's founder, Vivian Robinson--for Outstanding Performance in a Musical/Male for Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe, amd won the coveted OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance in 2007. His television credits include Cosby, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle and Life on Mars.

Founded in 1985, The Working Theater's mission is to produce plays for and about working people. "We believe that theater should not be a privilege or a luxury, but a staple," say Mark Plesent. "We want working people who may not be able to afford commercial theater or who feel that it does not resonate with their lives and experience, to make play-going a regular part of their cultural activities." Over the years, the company has commissioned and produced more than 70 world premieres of culturally diverse new plays; garnered widespread recognition and critical acclaim for writing, acting, directing as well as their pioneering efforts in audience development.

André De Shields' Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance will run from February 4 through 14, 2010 at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36 Street. The performance schedule will be Tuesday through Saturday at 8PM with matinees on Saturday at 2PM and Sunday at 3PM. All tickets are $25 and can be ordered online at www.smarttix.com or call 212-868-4444. For special group discounts call 212-244-3300.  For more information visit www.theworkingtheater.org

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

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