HOUSTON, June 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre is honored to present the final production in its 2006-2007 season, the popular production of Don Evans' "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show", a story that is still worth telling again for the third time.
The action takes place in suburban Philadelphia, where a Baptist preacher and a host of his wacky family members and other individuals, offers anything but a dull moment as this crazy crew gets mixed in everything you could possibly imagine. Its risque dialogue and engagement with the audience will provide plenty of laughter.
Evans was a playwright and a visiting professor at Rutgers and Princeton Universities and also helped organize with August Wilson The Black Theatre Summit at Dartmouth University in 1997/1998, out of which was formed the African Grove Institute for the Arts. He had 18 plays produced and 6 published. Some include: "Sugarmouth Sam Don't Dance No More", "Orrin", his unique adaptation of "The Taming of the Shrew" as "It's Showdown Time", "Miss Mollie Hit the Triple Bars" and his first musicals "Mahalia", and "Louis" to name a few. His plays have been produced in virtually every major city of the United States, as well as in England, Germany and Hong Kong. Even after his death in 2003, his plays continue to give us a dynamic depiction of Black life.
The production is directed by Wayne DeHart, a 25 year veteran of The Ensemble Theatre, whose directing credits include: "A Lesson Before Dying", "Sundown Names" and "Dance on Widow's Row". DeHart has also been seen on The Ensemble stage in productions including "Joe Turner's Come & Gone" and "Two Trains Running".
Eileen Morris, The Ensemble's Artistic Director said, "Don Evans was a charming, smart, thoughtful and creative man that had a great style of bringing the writer's word filled with life's uniqueness to the stage. His characters provide a real opportunity for sharing truth, passion and love- all of which make up our lives."
The featured and talented cast includes: Kendrick K. Brown, Ben Cain, Teacake Ferguson, C. Anthony Jackson, Cheray Dawn Josiah, Raena White, BeBe Wilson and Tracey Wheat..
Opening Night is Thursday, June 21st with a Media Reception at 6:30 pm prior to curtain at 7:30 pm at The Ensemble Theatre, located at 3535 Main St. "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" is generously supported by Cullen Trust for Performing Arts and a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. It is rated PG 13- (parental discretion on content).
"ONE MONKEY DON'T STOP NO SHOW"
Directed by Don Evans
June 21 -July 15, 2007
Performance Times
Preview Saturday June 16th 8:00 pm
Dates: Sunday June 17th 3:00 pm
Wednesday June 20th 7:30 pm
Run Dates: Thursdays 7:30 pm
Fridays 8:00 pm
Saturdays 2:00 pm Matinee and 8:00 pm
Sundays 3:00 pm Matinee
For ticket information and groups sales, call the Box Office at (713) 520-0055.
THE ENSEMBLE
Founded by the late George Hawkins, The Ensemble Theatre is celebrating 30 years of uninterrupted performances during its 2006-2007 season. Each year, The Ensemble presents an annual repertoire of six critically acclaimed dramas, comedies and musicals that demonstrate the artistic ability of professional local, regional and national artists and support staff. The Ensemble is one of the largest African American professional theatre companies in the U.S. that produces its plays in-house, has a comprehensive educational outreach initiative and owns its own facility. The theatre is a non-profit organization with an annual operating budget of 1.5 million. Located at 3535 Main St. in the heart of Midtown Houston, the theatre has three stages with a total seating capacity of 725. In keeping with the late founder's vision, The Ensemble also has an educational touring program and summer young performers training program. For more information or to subscribe to our season, please visit the website at www.ensemblehouston.com or call (713) 520-0055.