Creative Cauldron Presents THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

The mysterious guitar playing shapeshifter knocks on Creative Cauldron's doors again in Thunder Knocking on the Door, a blues musical fable written by Keith Glover, with lyrics and music by three-time Grammy award winner Keb' Mo' and Anderson Edwards. The acclaimed artists behind Creative Cauldron's Bold New Works productions, Stephen Gregory Smith and Matt Conner, are directing and choreographing the production. Smith received praise for his gorgeously and lovingly directed Thunder Knocking at the Door production, which played a sold out run at Creative Cauldron back in 2013. The show runs from February 14 March 10 at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, 410 South Maple Avenue. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30PM, Fridays at 7:30PM, Saturdays at 7:30PM, and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM. Press Night is Saturday, February 16th at 7:30 pm.

Thunder Knocking on the Door is an intoxicating Blues musical filled with humor and heart. Set in Bessmer, Alabama in 1966, the story follows a mysterious and supernatural Blues player named Marvell Thunder who shows up uninvited at the home of the Dupree family. Thunder aims to best the twin children of Jaguar Dupree, the only man who ever beat Thunder in a cutting contest . What unfolds on stage is an exploration of one man's legacy and the soul and humanity behind the music that both Thunder and Jaguar's blind daughter, Glory, hold so dear. Creative Cauldron's Thunder Knocking on the Door has been called a powerhouse fable full of mythical magic, intense vocals, and very real emotion, and Producing Director Laura Connors Hull says audiences can look forward to another heart-pounding and soul-lifting show as Creative Cauldron celebrates its 10th anniversary of award-winning productions by revisiting this mythical musical.

Shayla Simmons (Glory Dupree) won critical raves for her strong and evocative performance in Creative Cauldron's first production of Thunder Knocking on the Door in 2013, providing moments that make you stop and remind yourself to keep breathing. In February, she will revive her role as Glory, the blind daughter of Jaguar, who is offered a Faustian bargain by Marvell Thunder: beat him in a cutting contest and he'll restore her sight, or else he gets her father's guitar. Simmons's credits include Dream Girls: Signature Theatre; The Color Purple: Toby's Dinner Theatre; and Ain't Misbehavin': Cape Fear Regional Theatre. She's toured the US with Core Ensemble's one woman show Ain't I a Woman, portraying Zora Neal Hurston, Sojourner Truth, Fannie Lou Hamer and Clementine Hunter; and toured internationally with Disney Cruise Lines.

Clifton Walker III (Marvell Thunder) returns to Creative Cauldron as the devilish, blues-playing stranger after previously being seen Blues in the Night (2017), which received a Helen Hayes Award nomination (Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical). He's appeared in South Pacific: Arena Stage; Once on this Island: Roundhouse Theatre; Two Gentleman of Verona: A Rock Opera: Shakespeare Theater Co.; Ain't Misbehavin': Washington Savoyards; Stephen Schwartz Project: Metro Stage; Hitwave, The Hidden Sky: American Music Theatre; and the Kennedy Center: Latino Inaugural Gala (with Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno) and Debbie Allen's Soul Possessed (featuring Arturo Sandoval and Patti LaBelle).

Making their debut at Creative Cauldron are Bryan Jeffrey (Jaguar Depree Jr.), Kelli Blackwell (Good Sister) and Greg Watkins (Jaguar Depree Sr/Dregster). Bryan Jeffrey is a Helen Hayes nominated actor (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical) who has appeared at Toby's Dinner Theatre: The Wiz, Rent, Mame, Elijah, Smokey Joes Caf , Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Chicago, Ain't Misbehavin'; and Theater Alliance: Black Nativity. Kelli Blackwell has appeared in 1st National: Amazing Grace, Chicago the Musical; Everyman Theatre: A Streetcar Named Desire, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark; Olney Theatre: Ain't Misbehavin'; Ford's Theatre: Hope Dies Last; Monumental Theatre: Montgomery; Theater Alliance: Black Nativity; Toby's Dinner Theatre: Hairspray, Dreamgirls, The Wiz, The Color Purple, A Christmas Carol, Grease; and ArtsCentric: Next to Normal, Smokey Joe's Cafe. Greg Watkins is a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation/Cherry Lane Foundation/Music Alive Award in Honor of Dr. Quincy Jones (2008) for outstanding work in production, composition, performance, and musical direction. He boasts credits that include Aida: Constellation Theatre Company; Dreamgirls: Toby's Dinner Theater; Happy Ending: Anacostia Playhouse; Rock of Ages: Workhouse Arts Center; Sister Act: Arts Centric; The Gospel at Colonus, King Lear: WSC Avant Bard; and From U Street to the Cotton Club: The InSeries.

Elisa Rossman is the Music Director, directing Rip Peralta (guitar), Chip Carvell (guitar), Jona Creason (bass), and Dakota Kaylor (drums). Scenic/Costume Design done by Margie Jervis and Lighting Design by John Sami.

Tickets for Thunder Knocking on the Door can be purchased on-line at www.creativecauldron.org or by calling 703-436-9948.

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