FLY, Inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen, Comes to New Victory Theater Tonight

From training to combat, experience the anguish, fears and triumphs of a brotherhood who fought for freedom abroad -- and at home. FLY, directed by Ricardo Khan, co-founder and former artistic director of Crossroads Theatre Company, and choreographed by Hope Clarke (A Free Man of Color; Jelly's Last Jam; Caroline, or Change) and Omar Edwards (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk), tells the heroic tale of the Tuskegee Airmen through the eyes of four courageous young men.

This theatrical action-adventure, produced by NAACP and Ovation Award-winning Pasadena Playhouse and the Tony Award-winning Crossroads Theatre Company, will play The New Victory Theater tonight, March 11, through March 27.

FLY is co-written by Trey Ellis and Khan with consultation from Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, a living Tuskegee Airman and former squadron commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group. The production uses dance, video projection and a Tap Griot -- a modern Greek chorus-like figure performed by Omar Edwards, who uses tap dance to convey a range of emotions -- to illuminate the extraordinary bravery and determination of the first black military aviators in U.S. history who flew through the skies over Europe and North Africa during World War II. Featuring a talented cast of eight, FLY dramatizes the historic contributions made by the Tuskegee Airmen to the desegregation of the American military and the advancement of civil rights.

"It's an American story," says Khan. He continues, "It's a story that needs to be told and shared and loved and embraced by all of us. We're living in a world where there are way too many forces that are trying to divide us, FLY is a play that brings us all together."

Originally commissioned by Lincoln Center Education, FLY made its world premiere in 2009 with Crossroads Theatre Company, lauded as one of the nation's foremost African-American theater companies. The production made its West Coast premiere at The Pasadena Playhouse from January 26 - February 21, 2016. This presentation with The New Victory Theater will mark the production's Off-Broadway premiere.

The cast features Brooks Brantly as W.W. (Off-Broadway: Significant Other, U.S. tour of War Horse), Ross Cowan as Shaw (Portland Stage: Red, Berkshire Theatre Festival: Homestead Crossing), Omar Edwards as Tap Griot (FLY at Florida Studio Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Loretto-Hilton Center Browning Mainstage, Ford's Theatre Society), Anthony J. Goes as O'Hurley (Connecticut Repertory Theater: Olives and Blood; Chautauqua Theatre Company: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof; The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre: Paul), Brandon Nagle as Reynolds (Guthrie Theater: Mocondo; City Theater Austin: Death of a Salesman), Desmond Newson as Chet (Broadway: Motown: The Musical; 3D Theatricals: Hairspray; San Diego Musical Theatre: Rent), Damian Thompson as J. Allen (Off-Broadway: The Anthem, Around the World in 80 Days, By The Dawn's Early Light), and Terrell Wheeler as Oscar (Florida Studio Theatre: FLY; Castillo Theatre: Children of Killers; New Ohio Theatre: That Poor Dream).

The FLY creative team includes Clint Allen (Projections Designer), Beowulf Boritt (Set Designer), Toni-Leslie James (Costume Designer), Rui Rita (Lighting Designer), Jake DeGroot (Associate Lighting Designer), John Gromada (Sound Designer).

Learn more about The Pasadena Playhouse/Crossroads Theatre Company's FLY on the New Victory website.

FLY has a running time of 95 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for everyone ages 10 and up. Tickets for FLY at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) are $10, $13, $18 or $25 for Members based on seat locations, with full price tickets starting at $15. Tickets are available online (NewVictory.org) and by telephone (646.223.3010). The New Victory Theater box office (209 West 42nd Street) will be open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.

The Pasadena Playhouse began in 1917 and was recognized by California's state legislature as the State Theatre of California in 1937 for bringing national and international renown to the state as a center for dramatic art. A new era began when Sheldon Epps became Artistic Director in 1997 when the theater launched the national tours of numerous notable productions, including Purlie (with the Goodman Theatre); Sister Act: The Musical; and Baby, It's You!. Other Broadway shows developed at The Pasadena Playhouse include A Night With Janis Joplin, Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Story, Can Can: The Musical, and Ray Charles Live.

Founded in 1978 by Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson, Crossroads Theatre Company (Ain't Nothin' but the Blues, New Vic 1999; Sheila's Day, New Vic 1996) embraces the vision that African American theater is intended for all audiences; to this end, they produce works that enrich and diversify the representation of African American culture on the American stage. In 1999, Crossroads Theatre Company was celebrated with a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater, and was the first African American theater to receive this honor. Crossroads has produced over 100 works, many of which were premiere productions by the world's leading African and African American artists, including August Wilson, Anna Deavere Smith, George C. Wolfe and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, and has been a resident theater of The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They received the National Governors Association Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts and The New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State has designated the theater as a Major Impact Arts Institution.

This year, The New Victory celebrates its 20th Anniversary season of bringing kids to the arts and the arts to kids as New York City's premier theater devoted to the highest quality performing arts for kids and families. Serving the community in all its diversity, The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street presents theater, dance, circus, opera and music from around the world at affordable ticket prices. In addition to its public performances, the New Vic is also the largest provider of live performance to NYC school kids, serving 40,000 youth through more than 200 schools, after school programs and day camps each year. The New Victory has been recognized for its contributions to the cultural landscape of the city. Awards include a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award presented by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for the New Victory Usher Corps, which provides paid employment to approximately 50 NYC teens each year, the national Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts and a Special Award from The Drama Desk for "providing enchanting, sophisticated children's theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people."

Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street is an independent nonprofit organization charged with the continuous cultural revival of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Committed to the transformational power of the arts, The New 42nd Street builds on the foundation of seven historic theaters to make extraordinary performing arts and cultural engagement part of everyone's life. The New 42nd Street fulfills this purpose by ensuring the ongoing vibrancy of 42nd Street's historic theaters; maintaining and fully using the New 42nd Street Studios and The Duke on 42nd Street to support performing artists in the creation of their work; and through The New Victory Theater, New York's premier theater for kids and families.

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