NEW BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acclaimed playwright Tom Dugan brings Frederick Douglass back to New Bedford, Douglass' hometown, in the one person show, "Frederick Douglass - In the Shadow of Slavery," starring Broadway actor Mel Johnson Jr., in two performances at the Zeiterion Theatre located at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 10 a.m. EST and 8 p.m. EST. Tickets: https://ticketing.zeiterion.org/public/
Douglass began his life as a free man in New Bedford and "Frederick Douglass - In the Shadow of Slavery" is a one-man theatrical journey that chronicles Douglass' remarkable life: from his childhood in slavery, to his perilous escape to freedom, from his intense friendships with Susan B. Anthony, John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, to his critical work on behalf of former slaves following the American Civil War.
Susan Wahlmann of Quad City Arts said Douglass "...entranced the audience and the standing ovation after Mel's last line was almost instantaneous."
Says Playwright Tom Dugan of the upcoming performances, "These performances are very special to me because of the important role New Bedford played in Douglass' life. I believe that when you speak of the American dream, there is no better example than the life of Frederick Douglass."
Tickets will be available for $27/$22/$15 at the Zeiterion Theater https://ticketing.zeiterion.org/public/ or call the Box Office at (508) 994-2900.
ABOUT TOM DUGAN: Tom Dugan is a veteran actor and playwright who received the 2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Solo Performance and was winner of three 2011 Los Angeles Ovation Award nominations for his work in 'Wiesenthal.'
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ABOUT "FREDERICK DOUGLASS - IN THE SHADOW OF SLAVERY": Written by playwright Tom Dugan, "Frederick Douglass - In the Shadow of Slavery" barrels head first into the dramatic complexities of American history that journeys through Douglass' heartbreaking childhood as a plantation slave to his pivotal friendship with Abraham Lincoln and beyond. http://tomduganplays.com/plays/frederick-douglass/
ABOUT MEL JOHNSON JR: Broadway actor, director, producer Mel Johnson Jr. is widely known for his role opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall. Johnson's Broadway stints include "On The Twentieth Century," "Eubie!" with Maurice and Gregory Hines, "The Rink" with Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, Bob Fosse's "Big Deal," Mufasa in "The Lion King" and most recently starring in the new Earth, Wind and Fire musical, "Hot Feet!" Johnson has a long-standing relationship with The New York Shakespeare Festival, where he most recently starred in the revival of the musical, "Two Gentleman Of Verona" for the festival's Shakespeare In The Park. http://www.meljohnsonjr.com