City Theatre to Present MR. JOY

City Theatre finishes the first-half of its 40th anniversary season with a world premiere, solo play. MR. JOY, by Daniel Beaty, directed by Lou Jacob, will run on City Theatre's Mainstage January 24 - February 15, 2015.

MR. JOY examines a Harlem community that is disrupted when the Chinese immigrant's shoe repair shop, a neighborhood pillar for decades, does not open its doors. Nine customers ranging from 11-year-old Clarissa, a budding shoe designer, to Bessie, a "gangsta granny," reflect on the shop owner's impact in this moving exploration of one community's efforts to heal in order to dream again.

Following successful productions of THROUGH THE NIGHT (2011-12 season) and BREATH & IMAGINATION (2012-13 season), City Theatre welcomes back award-winning author, singer, writer and composer, Daniel Beaty, for the premiere of this poignant solo show.

"Daniel Beaty is a force of nature!" says City Theatre Artistic Director, Tracy Brigden. "In Mr. Joy, as in all his plays, Daniel manages at once to create a vivid, compelling piece of theatre full of unique characters and a funny, enormously entertaining story that taps into the pulse of contemporary American culture. You'll leave the theatre inspired, with a new perspective on the world."

Lou Jacob also returns to City Theatre to direct MR. JOY, after directing THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE, AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD, by Robert Hewett in the 2009-10 season.

MR. JOY features Tangela Large, making her City Theatre debut, starring in all roles.

The creative team includes Tony Ferrieri (scenic design), Yu Su (costume design), Andrew David Ostrowski (lighting design), and Lindsay Jones (sound design).

PRESS / OPENING NIGHT: Friday, January 30 at 8pm

Performance Schedule
Tuesdays at 7pm
Wednesdays at 1pm and 7pm
Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 5:30 and 9pm
Sundays at 2pm

Sipping Sunday - January 25
Sunday Talkbacks - February 1, February 8
Greenroom Young Professional's Night - February 6

Accessible Performance Dates
ASL Interpretation-February 6
Open Captioning & Audio Description -February 15

Where: City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side)
Tickets: $36 to $61
Box Office: 412.431.CITY (2489) or citytheatrecompany.org

Audiences under 30 may reserve $15 tickets in advance for all performances except Fridays 8pm and Saturdays 5:30pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, rush tickets are available two hours prior to show time and based on availability.

Seniors age 62 and older may purchase $22 rush tickets at the Box Office beginning two hours before show time. Based on availability.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts. Call Kari Shaffer at 412.431.4400 x286.

City Theatre is now in its 40th anniversary season. Located on Pittsburgh's historic South Side, City Theatre specializes in new plays, commissioning and producing work by playwrights including Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey, Christopher Durang, Michael Hollinger, Willy Holtzman, Tarell McCraney, and Theresa Rebeck. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director James McNeel, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. CityTheatreCompany.org.

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