The Ensemble Theatre Ends Its Season on a High Note


From My Hometown

A Rag to Riches Celebration of the American Dream

In Classic Rhythm and Blues

Conceived by Lee Summers

Written by Lee Summers, Ty Stephens & Herbert Rawlings Jr.

HOUSTON, June 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre presents the Off-Broadway musical From My Hometown, a celebration of classic rhythm and blues, written by Lee Summers, Ty Stephens, and Herbert Rawlings Jr.

Opening Night and Media Reception, Thursday, June 27, 2013, 6:30PM

From My Hometown will be directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Carlton Leake. The teaming of their talents span many years at The Ensemble Theatre to include several shows with record breaking attendance like Ain't Misbehavin, The Wiz, Five Guys Named Moe, Twelve Ways of Christmas, and Cinderella.

"If you love music you will love this show," says Harris. "It will be a treat for the young, old, and all in between."

Three wide-eyed strangers, with empty pockets and big dreams, arrive in The Big Apple from Detroit, Memphis and Philly with one goal in mind – to sing at the world famous Apollo Theater. Teaming up and blending the musical sounds of their hometowns, they form a brotherhood spanning more than a decade. This rags to riches celebration of the American Dream, features Motown and R&B classics including "Chain Gang," "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" and "Lonely Teardrops."

Featured cast members include Ensemble Theatre veteran actors Anthony Boggess-Glover, who was in The Ensemble Theatre's previous hit season finale, Sanctified, and Ron Johnson, last seen in Cinderella; and newcomer from Washington D.C. Jobari Parker-Namdar.

Previews: June 22, 23 and 26

Show Runs: June 27 – July 28, 2013

Performance Days and Times: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m; Fridays: 8:00 p.m; Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m; and Sundays: 3:00 p.m.

Tickets Available Online: www.EnsembleHouston.com

For Information Call: 713-520-0055

Ticket Prices: $20 - $45

The Ensemble Theatre's 2012-2013 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. United Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. From My Hometown is generously sponsored by Chevron and Norton, Rose, Fulbright.

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. Thirty-six years later, the theatre has evolved from a small touring company to one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions.

The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. 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 has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.



            

Contact Data