World Premiere of MABEL MADNESS with Tony Winner Trezana Beverley to Play Urban Stages

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Peter Napolitano, Associate Producer) continues its 32nd season with the World Premiere of Mabel Madness, the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse, Mabel Mercer, written and performed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley (For Colored Girls...). Co-directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Tuffus Zimbabwe, Mabel Madness begins its Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) beginning February 19, opening on Thursday, February 25 and running through March 20, 2016. Tickets are $40 ($25 during previews; Students are $15) and are available at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111.

Mabel Madness will feature classic songs from Ms. Mercer's repertoire as well as original songs written by the award-winning team of Barry Levitt (composer) and Mr. Napolitano (lyrics).The creative team for Mabel Madness includes Christina Watanabe (Lighting Designer), Nicholas Blade Guldner (Projection Designer), Gail Cooper-Hecht (Costume Designer), Antoinette Mullins (Dramaturg) and Jill Woodward (Production Stage Manager).

Mabel Mercer is frightened! Frightened that this is her last show...that her long-time friend/manager is abandoning her...that she is too old. On stage for probably the last time, this legendary performer, who influenced the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Billie Holiday, confronts the events that has led her to this moment. From a white British mother who refused to acknowledge her black daughter to vocal mishaps that ultimately led to her signature Story Song style, Mabel reveals all as she prepares to take her final bow.

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