FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761

January 2, 2008

A Blues Rap Celebrating Paramount Records and The Blues
GRAFTON CITY BLUES
STACKNER CABARET




Written and Directed By
Kevin Ramsey

Stackner Cabaret Season Sponsor

Preview: January 11, 2008  Opens: January 12, 2008  Closes: March 9, 2008

Paramount Records was located in Grafton, Wisconsin, preceding the time of the Great Depression, and was a small recording studio in an old chair factory. Louis Armstrong, Alberta Hunter, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James, Son House, Ma Rainey, Lawrence Welk and even Jimmie O’Bryant’s Famous Original Washboard Band recorded folk, gospel and blues music for Paramount Records in that studio and surrounding areas. This exuberant musical celebration of the popular music of the time is sure to enchant and entertain. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Rep Ticket Office at 108 East Wells Street, or by telephone at 414-224-9490. Tickets can also be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com.

GRAFTON CITY BLUES explores a world of blues through the time period when the Grafton City recording studio, Paramount Records, was in its peak days. A group of musicians discover a treasure trove of Paramount records stored in a Bronzeville attic, opening a doorway for a journey through the blues. GRAFTON CITY BLUES will take you through Ma Rainey’s childhood and Blind Lemon Jefferson’s struggles; it will move you with the storytellers’ account of Wade in the Water. The four characters, Blue, Queen, Harp and Professor, narrate and sing about the people and events that are part of the Paramount Records history. Writer and director Kevin Ramsey weaves together the bluesy tunes and Wisconsin history in an elegant, soulful way. The music and the actors will tell a story about the “blues of a nation, the blues of a land and how it traveled to Grafton.” Some of the songs featured in the show include: Joe Turner, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Sweet Home Chicago and Let the Good Times Roll, just to name a few.

Kevin Ramsey, writer and director, is thrilled to return to The Rep after last season’s successful run of his world premiere production, SAM COOKE – FOREVER MR. SOUL. His previous musical seen at The Rep, IF THESE SHOES COULD TALK (1993/94), he co-authored, directed and choreographed; the production starred the legendary Harold Nicholas. Broadway credits include: CY COLEMAN’S THE LIFE, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, OH, KAY and BLACK AND BLUE. Film/TV credits include: 24, Judging Amy, CSI: Miami and The Hughleys. Kevin has directed and choreographed at some of the leading regional theaters in the country. More recently his directorial and choreographic work was represented in the Off-Broadway musical, FROM MY HOMETOWN, as well as the national commercial for GM Pontiac. Mr. Ramsey has a slate of theater, film and television projects in development.

Included in the talented cast of GRAFTON CITY BLUES are: Jeremy Cohen (Professor/Co-Music Director); Jannie Jones (Queen); Eric Noden (Harp/Co-Music Director) and Juson Williams (Blue). All four actors will be making their Milwaukee Rep debut.

Jeremy Cohen is a proud Northwestern graduate and has performed at the New York  Music Theatre Festival, Northlight and Marriott Theatres, among others. Jannie Jones has performed at Florida Studio Theatre in ETHEL WATERS: HIS EYE ON THE SPARROW and IT AIN’T NOTHING BUT THE BLUES. Eric Noden is a director from Chicago with many instrumental and musical talents best known for his ability to capture the spirit of 1920s and 30s blues and roots music. Norden recently performed at the second annual Paramount Blues Festival in Grafton, Wisconsin. Juson Williams is an established performer, director and choreographer with numerous Off-Broadway productions and touring credits.

(To learn more about our Resident Acting Company, Guest Actors, or our Intern Company, please visit milwaukeerep.com).

The production/design team for GRAFTON CITY BLUES includes: Jill Lyons (Scenic Designer); Rachel Laritz (Costume Designer); Aimee Hanyzewski (Lighting Designer) and Mark S. Sahba (Stage Manager).

Tickets to GRAFTON CITY BLUES range in price from $27.00 to $40.00. For more information or to charge tickets, call 414-224-9490. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com. For group sales of 20 or more, call The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.

Special Events for GRAFTON CITY BLUES

• On Sunday, January 20 at 7:00 pm there will be an Audio-Described Performance for patrons who are blind or have low vision.

For more information about The Rep’s Access Services, please contact The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.

A Blues Rap Celebrating Paramount Records and The Blues
GRAFTON CITY BLUES
Written and Directed By
Kevin Ramsey

FACT SHEET

THEATER: Stackner Cabaret

DATES: January 11, 2008 – March 9, 2008

DESCRIPTION: Paramount Records was located in Grafton, Wisconsin, preceding the time of the Great Depression, and was a small recording studio in an old chair factory. Louis Armstrong, Alberta Hunter, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James, Son House, Ma Rainey, Lawrence Welk and even Jimmie O’Bryant’s Famous Original Washboard Band recorded folk, gospel and blues music for Paramount Records in that studio and surrounding areas. This exuberant musical celebration of the popular music of the time is sure to enchant and entertain.

PERFORMANCES:

Friday 1/11/08 - 8:00 p.m. - Preview
Saturday 1/12/08 - 8:00 p.m. - Opening
Sunday 1/13/08 - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 1/16/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 1/17/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 1/18/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 1/19/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 1/20/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m. – 7:00 - Audio Description

Tuesday 1/22/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 1/23/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 1/24/08 - 7:30 pm
Friday 1/25/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 1/26/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 1/27/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 1/30/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 1/31/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 2/1/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 2/2/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2/3/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 2/6/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 2/7/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 2/8/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 2/9/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2/10/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 2/13/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 2/14/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 2/15/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 2/16/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2/17/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.

Tuesday 2/19/08 – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday 2/20/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 2/21/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 2/22/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 2/23/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2/24/08 - 2:00/7:00 pm

Wednesday 2/27/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 2/28/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 2/29/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 3/1/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 3/2/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m

Wednesday 3/5/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 3/6/08 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday 3/7/08 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 3/8/08 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday 3/9/08 - 2:00/7:00 p.m. 7:00 - close

TICKET OFFICE LOCATION:
108 East Wells Street in Milwaukee’s Downtown Theater District

TICKET PRICES:
WEEKDAY/SUNDAY: $27 & $32
FRIDAY/SATURDAY: $35 & $40

TICKETS/INFORMATION: 414-224-9490 or buy tickets online at milwaukeerep.com

TICKET OFFICE HOURS:
Mon - Fri, 12 pm - 6 pm on phones, 12 pm - curtain for window
Sat/Sun 12 pm - 6 pm on phones, 12 pm - curtain for window

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Open to the public before and after all evening performances, Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Stackner Cabaret, located on the second floor of the Milwaukee Center, is our own full-service, smoke-free bar and restaurant. Featuring delicious dinners, as well as late night cocktails, coffee, and desserts, the Cabaret is the ideal meeting place for patrons attending Rep performances. For dinner reservations, call 414-224-9490.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is a nationally recognized theater company that presents a critically-acclaimed selection of compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary works and lively Cabaret shows on three stages from September through May. The Rep also produces an annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The Rep's home, the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex, accommodates the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, the Stiemke Theater and the Stackner Cabaret. The Rep is also home to a Resident Acting Company of 13 actors who perform with The Rep throughout the season.

The Rep is proud to be a member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. The Rep is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a management association of some of the nation's largest non-profit professional theaters that collectively bargains with the unions that represent the actors, directors and designers that work at The Rep; a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the nonprofit professional theater; and a member of Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit professional theaters. This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The set, costume and lighting designers are members of United Scenic Artists, a national labor union. This theater is an equal opportunity employer. Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting is decided based on ability, not race.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E Wells St Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ticket Office: 414-224-9490 Ticket Office Fax: 225-5490
Administrative: 414-224-1761 Fax: 414-224-9097

http://www.milwaukeerep.com