FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cindy Moran,
Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761
August 27, 2009
A CELEBRATION OF A RICH MUSCIAL LEGACY
SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO
Written and Directed by Kevin Ramsey
| Generously
sponsored by: |
 |
Stackner Cabaret
Preview:September 11, 2009 Opens:
September 12, 2009 Closes: November 8, 2009
SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO is a new musical that celebrates the rich musical legacy
of the world famous Apollo Theater with the spirit of the theater, Soultime,
at the helm as emcee. Join us as “stars are born and legends are made.” 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.
For this latest new musical by creator/director
Kevin Ramsey, we find ourselves in Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater
with our emcee Soultime, a show business man who’s seen it all. He is
joined by Song Bird, his female counterpart. Together they will perform a timeline
of the great musical history from the renowned theater beginning January 26,
1934.
The lights fade on the opening night of “Ralph Cooper’s Amateur
Night at the Apollo” and the magic is about to begin. Soultime and Song
Bird perform a vaudeville comedy routine of “Butterbeans and Susie”,
a singing and dancing comedy duo. They will shake up the stage with songs like Drop
Me off in Harlem and I Want a Hot Dog for My Roll. After having
a little fun, Song Bird will usher in the age of standards a la Lena Horne,
Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Soultime joins in as Nat King Cole as
they belt out classics like Honeysuckle Rose, Object of my Affection,
Strange Fruit and At Last.
As the songs progress through time, music from artists like The Orioles and
The Drifters turn bee-bop to doo-wop with memorable hits such as In the
Still of the Night, Earth Angel and This Magic Moment. Soultime
and Song Bird continue to sing through the decades to the age of soul, where
James Brown and Aretha Franklin rule with songs like Papa’s Got a
Brand New Bag, I Feel Good and Respect. Other favorite hits in
the show include Dancing in the Street, Hound Dog, Twist and Shout, My
Girl and I’ll
Be There. With all this amazing music from the Apollo Theater packed
into one show, SOULTIME promises to be an unforgettable musical journey!
Director and writer Kevin Ramsey returns to
The Rep this season with his newest production, SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO. Having
just created the hit, FIRE ON THE BAYOU: A MARDI GRA MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA for
the 2008/09 Rep season, The Rep is looking forward to another one of Ramsey’s
music-filled, historical portraits coming to life in the Stackner Cabaret stage
and inspiring Rep patrons to once again get up and dance! In previous seasons
Ramsey has also written and directed GRAFTON CITY BLUES (2007/08) and SAM COOKE – FOREVER
MR. SOUL (2006/07). Previously at The Rep, Ramsey co-authored, directed and
choreographed IF THESE SHOES COULD TALK (1993/94). Ramsey’s Broadway
credits include CY COLEMAN’S THE LIFE, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, OH, KAY and
BLACK AND BLUE. Film and television credits include 24, Judging Amy, CSI:
Miami and The
Hughleys. Kevin has directed and choreographed for some leading regional
theaters in the country. His directorial and choreographic work was recently
represented in the Off-Broadway musical FROM MY HOMETOWN, as well as the national
commercial for GM Pontiac. Mr. Ramsey also has a slate of theater, film and
television projects currently in development.
In a recent interview with Big City Blues’ Sharon Pomaville,
Ramsey shares the historical implication between his productions at The Rep
and the nature of the productions themselves. The first production Ramsey co-wrote
and directed at the The Rep was IF THESE SHOES COULD TALK (1993/94) and it
was also Joseph Hanreddy’s first season as Artistic Director. Coincidentally,
this is Hanreddy’s last season at The Rep and as Ramsey says, “Somehow
we’re back at the Apollo. IF THESE SHOES COULD TALK took place at a shoe
shine stand in front of the Apollo and SOULTIME takes place in the basement
of the Apollo.” Ramsey firmly believes in maintaining history and continually
remembering what preceded us. He says, “I feel it is so important to
honor those that have come before, because we all stand on somebody’s
shoulders in a way, with a handing off of various torches from generation to
generation.” For Ramsey, the theatrical environment fosters dialogue
between the actors and the audience - a liberating and necessary human experience.
With SOULTIME, Ramsey wants his audience “To know that they are a part
of this tapestry that is so Americana, with the music swimming and swarming
in their heads.
The cast of SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO includes: Melanie
McCullough (Song Bird); C.E. Smith (Soultime) and Monica
Dillon (Music Director/Pianist).
All three performers will be making their Rep debuts. Melanie McCullough has
performed extensively in Chicago with the Black Ensemble Theater including
the productions: AT LAST A TRIBUTE TO ETTA JAMES, THE OTHER CINDERELLA, THOSE
SENSATIONAL SOULFUL SIXTIES, THE SENSUAL SEDUCTIVE SEVENTIES, SOUNDS SO GOOD
MAKES YOU WANNA HOLLER and I AM WHO I AM TEDDY PENDERGRASS. She has also performed
with ETA Creative Foundation, Dramatically Correct Productions, Corner Stone
Productions and ABJ Production. C.E. Smith has extensive film,
television and Broadway/Off-Broadway and international credits including THE
FULL MONTY, IT AIN’T NOTHING BUT THE BLUES, STREET CORNER SYMPHONY, DREAMGIRLS,
BLUES IN THE NIGHT, AIDA and FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, amongst others. Monica
Dillon is a New Orleans-based performer, composer, producer and songwriter.
She has created film scores for the independent award-winning documentaries Belly
of the Basin and Black Womyn: Conversations with Lesbians of African
Descent. She regularly performs nationally and lectures at colleges and
universities as an artist and cultural worker.
(To learn more about our Resident Acting Company, Guest Actors or our Intern
Company, please visit www.milwaukeerep.com.)
(To read more about SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO, please see The
Rep's online publication Prologue.)
(SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO production photos will be posted
at milwaukeerep.com.)
The Production/Design Team for SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO includes: Jill
Lynn Lyons (Scenic Designer); Holly Payne (Costume
Designer); Lee Fiskness (Lighting Designer); Tony
Puglielli (Sound Designer); Dylan Sladky (Assistant
Director); Monica Dillon (Music Director); Mark S.
Sahba (Stage Manager) and Holly Burnell (Stage Management
Apprentice).
Tickets to SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO range in price from $30.00 – $45.00.
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 10 or more, call The Rep Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.
Special Events for THE GOVERNMENT
INSPECTOR:
• On Sunday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. 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 CELEBRATION OF A RICH MUSCIAL LEGACY
SOULTIME AT THE APOLLO
Written and Directed by Kevin Ramsey
| Generously sponsored by: |
|
FACT SHEET
THEATER: Stackner Cabaret
DATES: September 11 – November 8, 2009
DESCRIPTION: This new musical celebrates the rich
legacy of the world famous Apollo Theater with the spirit of the theater, Soultime,
at the helm as emcee. Join us as “stars are born and legends are made.”
PERFORMANCES:
Friday, 9/11/09 - 8:00
p.m. - Preview
Saturday, 9/12/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m. – Open
Sunday, 9/13/09
- 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 9/15/09 -
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 9/16/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 9/17/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 9/18/09 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9/19/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9/20/09 - 2:00/7:00 p.m. – Audio Description
Wednesday, 9/23/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 9/24/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 9/25/09 - 8:00
p.m.
Saturday, 9/26/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9/27/09 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 9/30/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10/1/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 10/2/09 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10/3/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10/4/09 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/7/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10/8/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 10/9/09 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10/10/09 – 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10/11/09 – 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/14/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10/15/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 10/16/09 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10/17/09 – 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10/18/09 – 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/20/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/21/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10/22/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 10/23/09 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10/24/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10/25/09 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/27/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/28/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10/29/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 10/30/09 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10/31/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11/1/09 - 2:00/7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 11/3/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 11/4/09 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 11/5/09 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 11/6/09 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11/7/09 - 4:00/8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11/8/09 - 2:00/7:00 p.m. – Close
TICKET
PRICES:
PREVIEWS: $30.00 - $35.00
WEEKDAY/SUNDAY: $30.00 - $35.00
FRIDAY/SATURDAY: $40.00 - $45.00
TICKETS/INFORMATION: 414-224-9490 or buy tickets online
at milwaukeerep.com
TICKET OFFICE LOCATION: 108
East Wells Street in Milwaukee’s Downtown Theater District
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
###
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 10 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. Through
community support of the United Performing Arts Fund, UPAF
Member and Affiliate Groups are able to provide education
and outreach to over 400,000 children, provide over 2,000
live performances and reach over 1,000,000 people every year.
When everyone supports the arts through UPAF, they help our
local economy, improving education and strengthening outreach
programs to the disabled and elderly – all while adding
culture to their own life. Support of UPAF is critical to
UPAF Member Groups’ ability
to continue to offer exceptional live performances, award-winning
education and outreach programming and substantial economic
impact to our region. To learn more about UPAF or to donate,
go to www.upaf.org.
The Rep is supported in part by a grant
from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of
Wisconsin. 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
Patty & Jay Baker Theatre Complex
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
milwaukeerep.com |
