HOUSTON, Sept. 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre presents August Wilson's 'Seven Guitars' as its 2009-2010 Season kick off with an opening night and media reception at the theatre, Thursday, September 24, 2009, 6:30p.m.
"I believe this play couldn't be timelier in its appeal to humanity, especially in these times of uncertainty across the nation," says Eileen J. Morris, The Ensemble Theatre's Artistic Director and director for 'Seven Guitars.' "This play puts a magnifying glass on the daily lives of its characters during troubled times, highlighting their flaws and unique beliefs."
Friends gather to mourn the death of Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton, whose life was cut short before fulfilling his musical dream. Each friend shares heartfelt accounts of his life. Though comedic at times, each flashback gives perspective to a man's fight for his own humanity, self understanding, and self acceptance in the face of personal and societal ills.
"Ruby, one of the characters, sums up the essence of what we all must face each day when she bluntly says 'Life's got its own rhythm, it don't always go along with your rhythm'," says Morris.
'Seven Guitars' represents the 1940s entry and sixth play in Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, a decade-by-decade anthology of African-American life in Pittsburgh during the twentieth century. The mystery and mood of this production brings elements of film noir to live theatre, making an artistic connection to a definitive style of the time. Each friend's account unveils incidents that may have led to Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton's murder; he's a doomed hero whose relatable characteristics bring sympathy and the hope for redemption.
Previews: September 19, 20, and 23;
Show Run: September 24 - October 18, 2009
Performances: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.; Fridays: 8:00 p.m.;
Saturdays: 2:00p.m. and 8:00p.m.; and Sundays: 3:00p.m.
****Opening Night is Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:30p.m.;
Reception at 6:30p.m.***
Seating is limited. Call for availability of seats at: (713) 520-0055
or visit: www.ensemblehouston.com
Featured actors on The Ensemble's stage include: Equity actors Wayne DeHart and Timothy Eric joined by fellow cast members Rachel Hemphill Dickson, Timothy Eric, Byron Jacquet, Broderick (Brod J) Jones, Jordyn Lorenz, and Bebe Wilson.
The Ensemble Theatre's 2009-2010 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Texas Commission on the Arts. Continental Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. This production is generously underwritten by Chevron.
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. The theatre is known as the only professional theatre in its region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. In addition to being the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997.
The Ensemble Theatre produces a main stage season of contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The theatre's Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre. Through its varied programs, The Ensemble Theatre benefits an audience and artistic constituency of approximately 65,000 people annually.
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