Melba Moore Joins TELL HELL I AIN'T COMIN' Cast, 9/15

Famed singer and actress Melba Moore, joins the cast of Marcia P. Samuels' musical TELL HELL I AIN'T COMIN'. The production opens in New York, September 15, 2010.

Melba Moore began her performing career in 1967 as a member of the original cast of the musical 'Hair.'  Moore won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in 'Purlie' (she portrayed Lutiebelle). Following the success of 'Purlie,' Moore landed two big screen film roles, released two successful albums including 1970's 'I Got Love' and 'Look What You're Doing to the Man.'

In the musical TELL HELL I AIN'T COMIN',  Moore plays, Marlean, a single mother of a troubled teen, Julian, who drops out of school and joins a gang. In an emotionally charged scene, Moore confronts her son about his lack of respect for her. Julian's response is typical to so many teens who refuses to follow the law of home, school or society. Trying to make sense of it all, this single mother blames herself, and through the rendition of the song SOMEWHERE IN TIME, I SPARED THE ROD AND SPOILED MY CHILD, she questions herself as a mother.

Singer, actor Tony Grant, had star billing in the stage play and DVDs TELL HELL I AIN'T COMIN', and Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married.'  In the earlier part of his entertainment career, Tony was cast for the lead role in the stage play "A Good Man is Hard to Find" in 1991. From there he has become one of the most popular leading men in the stage play industry. In January 2008, Grant began touring with the Tyler Perry stage production 'The Marriage Counselor.'  Grant's Off-Broadway credits includes: 'The Dorothy Height Story,' 'If This Hat Could Talk' (directed by George Faison) and 'Raisin In The Sun.'

In the musical TELL HELL I AIN'T COMIN' Grant plays Allgood, a devout man of God who appears to have passed away and arrives at Heaven's Gate, where he discovers he must enter another gate that leads to Hell. While in Hell, he meets a series of colorful characters who all have a story to tell as to why they don't belong there.  

Alyson Williams, first single, 'Yes We Can Can,' was first released on Profile Records in 1986; a release on the Def Jam label followed in 1987. At the label, she established herself as an in demand vocalist, singing with many of her label mates including Chuck Stanley ("Make You Mine Tonight") and Oran "Juice" Jones ("How To Love Again").

Alyson plays Gina, a vixin, who marries an older man, not for love, but for his ability to help her climb the ladder of fame and fortune. 

For a full synopsis and video clips, visit the production's official website: http://dontugo.com/.

Performances are Wednesday, Sept. 15 @ 8:00 pm; Thursday, Sept. 16 @ 8:00 PM; Friday, Sept. 17 @ 8:00 PM; Saturday, Sept. 18 @ 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM and Sunday, Sept. 19 @ 4:00 PM.

Tickets are available at http://www.theatermania.com/, or by phone at 212-352-3101. Tickets are priced from $65.00 to $35.00. Tickets are also available at the Kaye Playhouse Box Office, East 68th Street between Park and Lexington Aves., or you can call the Kaye Box Office at 212-772-4448. At the box office, Discounts are available for students and seniors. Group tickets are also available by calling 646-845-9891.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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