Bessie's Blues Returns After 20 years MetroStage Celebrates Return with Original Cast Members Bernardine Mitchell and Roz White Jan 22-Mar 15, 2015

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin has announced that the award-winning musical by Thomas W. Jones II Bessie's Blues will be on stage at MetroStage beginning Jan. 22, 2015. Thomas W. Jones II will direct and choreograph, and William Knowles will music direct. A musical odyssey of African American people in the 20th century, it was ground-breaking in 1994 and is a perfect production for our stage as we celebrate our first 30 years.

The explosive legacy of the blues is told through the eyes and lens of Bessie Smith, the "Empress of the Blues". The 20th anniversary of this production (originally staged at Studio Theatre and receiving 6 Helen Hayes Awards), is being reprised in honor of our long-standing collaboration with Tom Jones as a playwright, lyricist, director and choreographer. At MetroStage Jones has written and directed Harlem Rose, Three Sistahs, Two Queens, One Castle, Bricktop, Cool Papa's Party, Pearl Bailey...by request, Ladies Swing the Blues, as well as directing Gee's Bend for which he received a Helen Hayes nomination.

Music Director William Knowles is also a mainstay at MetroStage having music directed Gee's Bend (Helen Hayes Nomination), Bricktop, His Eye is on the Sparrow, All Night Strut, Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song, and Cool Papa's Party (Helen Hayes Award).

The Cast includes:

Bernardine Mitchell returns to MetroStage to play a role she originated twenty years ago-the iconic Bessie Smith. She was last seen at MetroStage in Three Sistahs and received a Helen Hayes Award for Mahalia here in 2005. Atlanta based she has made Alexandria her second home with three productions of Three Sistahs, two of Mahalia, and His Eye is on the Sparrow (Helen Hayes Nomination).

Roz White returns as Passion, a role she also played in the original production. She too was featured in Three Sistahs, and was nominated for her role in Gee's Bend (Lead Actress and Ensemble) last season. At MetroStage she has also appeared in Bricktop, Two Queens, One Castle, Cool Papa's Party, Pearl Bailey...by request, Glimpses of the Moon, Josephine Tonight, Ladies Swing the Blues, and Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song.

Lori Williams returns to our stage as Rhythm after portraying Ella Fitzgerald in Ladies Swing the Blues (Helen Hayes Nomination). She has also appeared in Cool Papa's Party, Glimpses of the Moon and All Night Strut at MetroStage.

TC Carson returns to MetroStage as Lover. He was last seen here in Two Queens One Castle. Based in LA he is probably best known as Kyle in the hit television series Living Single. He has been seen in productions of Once on This Island, Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Dreamgirls, and Black Nativity and also has numerous film and television credits.

Stephawn Stephens will play Blood. He was last seen at Arena Stage in Smokey Joes Café and at Signature as Tiny Joe in Dreamgirls.

Djob Lyons is Midnight and his television credits include House of Cards, West Wing and The Wire. He has appeared on Broadway and was a dancer on the album releases for Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin.

LC Harden Jr. joins the cast as Bluesman. He was in Ragtime at the Kennedy Center, and Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature.

Nia Harris will be making her debut at MetroStage as The Dancer.

Musicians are: William Knowles, keyboard; Greg Holloway, drums and percussion; Ron Oshima, saxophone (played in the original production); David Cole, guitar; and DeAndre Shaifer, trumpet.

Designers are: Robbie Hayes, set and projections; Frank Labovitz, costumes; Alex Keen, lights; Aaron Fensterheim, sound. David Elias is the Production Stage Manager.

Performances for Bessie's Blues will be Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 3 and 8, Sundays at 3 and 7, Jan. 22-Mar. 15. Tickets are $55-60 with student and active military discounts available. Press night is Sunday Jan. 25 at 7 pm. For ticket reservations call 800 494-8497 or 703-548-9044 or go online to www.metrostage.org. For information and group sales call 703-548-9044. MetroStage is located at 1201 North Royal St. in North Old Town Alexandria. There is a free parking lot and fine dining nearby. The theatre is handicap accessible.

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