Tuskegee Airmen Tribute FLY Continues The Rep's 47th Season

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the inspiring playFly by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan and directed by Ricardo Khan. This extraordinary and uplifting production will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, October 16-November 10, 2013.

Curtain times are Tuesday at 7 pm; Wednesday-Friday at 8 pm; selected Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm; Saturday matinees at 5 pm; selected Saturday nights at 9 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm; and selected Sunday evenings at 7 pm.

Ticket prices start at just $16.50 (previews) and $20 (regular performances). To purchase, visit The Rep Box Office, located inside the Loretto-Hilton Center, charge by phone by calling(314) 968-4925, or visit The Rep's Online Box Office at http://www.repstl.org.

Major sponsorship for this production is provided by Boeing.

The Rep's production of Fly is a part of the American Arts Experience St. Louis.

Based on the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen, this inspiring story follows four courageous young African-American pilots as they train to fly combat aircraft during World War II. Facing powerful conflict both on and off the battlefield, the men form a lasting brotherhood, paving the way for the desegregation of the military and giving hope to a changing America on the horizon. Soaring and inventive, Fly combines live action, video and the compelling "Tap Griot," an innovative dancing storyteller who expresses the anger, fear and triumph that the officers cannot.

"On the one hand they are heroes; on the other hand they were human beings who didn't set out to be heroes," explained playwright and director Kahn. "I believe that people today -especially young people- if there is nothing in their present mirror that reflects a sense of the positive, I can point to the Tuskegee Airmen and say that we (humanity) faced adversity and were up to the challenge."

"This thrilling production brings to vivid life, in a very theatrical way, a story of bravery, dedication, moxie and daring," said Steve Woolf, artistic director of The Rep. "The Tuskegee Airmen are now part of the Greatest Generation, but in the 1940s they were young men who were compelled to take the chance to do something for their country. It is a story to be shared by many generations about a kind of heroism that is important to remember and celebrate. Hopefully the show will start many conversations with both young and old alike."

Fly was originally commissioned by Lincoln Center Education as a student show. The expanded version was workshopped at the Vineyard Theater, had its world premiere in October 2009 at New Jersey's Crossroads Theatre Company (which Khan co-founded; he is also its former artistic director) and was subsequently produced at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

The cast of Fly at The Rep is Greg Brostrom as Captain O'Hurley, Eddie R. Brown III as W.W., Will Cobbs as Oscar, Cary Donaldson as Bomber Pilot Reynolds/Instructor/Colonel Snopes, Omar Edwards as The Tap Griot, David Pegram as Chet Simpkins, Timothy Sekk as Bomber Co-Pilot Shaw/Staff Sergeant/Barman, and Terrell Donnell Sledge as J. Allen.

The Rep's production of Fly is directed by Ricardo Khan.

The creative staff also includes Omar Edwards, tap improvographer; Hope Clarke, choreographer; Beowulf Boritt, set designer; Toni-Leslie James, costume designer; Rui Rita and Jake DeGroot, co-lighting designers; John Gromada, sound designer/composer; Clint Allen, projection designer; Glenn Dunn, stage manager; and Tony Dearing, assistant stage manager.

For more information about The Rep's production of Fly including a guide introducing the characters, plot and background on the play; photos related to the production; and more, visit The Rep's comprehensive public website at http://www.repstl.org.

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