The Ensemble Theatre Announces 2008/2009 Season 'Passport to Adventure: Embrace the Journey'

HOUSTON, April 30, 2008 -- The Ensemble Theatre proudly announces its new 2008-2009 Season, "Passport to Adventure: Embrace the Journey". The new season will present and offer diverse theatrical works -- from classic to contemporary dramas, musicals and comedy -- and will reflect intensely human dramas, vivid and heartfelt stories of triumph over odds, and the transcendent and radiant power of African American music.

The new season highlights will include six wonderful productions: (a) Beginning the new season on September 25th is the regional dramatic comedy premiere of "Radio Golf" (9/20-10/19/08), written by renowned playwright August Wilson. The story is a fast-paced, dynamic and wonderfully funny work about the world today and the dreams we have for the future that will be directed by Eileen J. Morris. Set in Pittsburgh in the late 1990's, it is the story of a successful entrepreneur who aspires to become the city's first black mayor. Being the most contemporary of all, it is also the final play in Wilson's unprecedented 10-play cycle chronicling African American life in the 20th century; (b) Back by popular demand, "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" (11/22-12/28/08), is a musical using the sounds of jazz, rhythm and blues along with gospel to give an excellent depiction of the varying perspectives of one's holiday. "Twelve Ways" is a world premier written by Carlton Leake and directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris; (c) The Ensemble will celebrate Black History Month with Houston playwright Thomas Meloncon's drama, "The Man Who Saved New Orleans" (1/29-2/22/09), which is a world premiere drama that engages a humanistic portrayal of Katrina splashed with raw truths and the storm's profound impact both emotionally, psychologically and economically on the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. The production will be directed by Eileen J. Morris; (d) Tazewell Thompson's regional drama, "Constant Star" (3/19-4/12/09), is a powerful bio-drama, directed by Ron Jones, which takes a bold look at the life of civil rights pioneer, suffragette and outspoken activist Ida B. Wells. A fiery champion of equality for women and black Americans, Wells was co-founder of the NAACP and newspaper editor and publisher as well as one of the most powerful leaders in the anti-lynching campaign in America; (e) "Livin' Fat"(4/30-5/24/09), written by Judi Ann Mason and directed by Eileen J. Morris, is a witty and hilarious comedy which depicts tough times for the Cooper family. When their money is tight, their affection for each other is limitless. However, their scruples are interestingly tested when they find a bundle of money which doesn't belong to them; (f) the final season production, the famous Broadway musical production "The Wiz" (6/25-7/19/09), written by William F. Brown, music/lyrics by Charles Smalls and director/choreographer, Patdro Harris, will present Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz, set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul music. We all know the story, but it's a new fantasy for today -- mysterious, opulent and fanciful.

The "Passport to Adventure" season promises to be entertaining and exciting for all. The public and The Ensemble subscribers are invited to call (713) 520-0055 for additional information.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community. Thirty years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to become one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of the only 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, and holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. 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 a myriad of audiences. The programs and operations of The Ensemble Theatre benefit a multi-cultural audience that is diverse in age, income, ethnicity and culture and its core audience is African American (70%). The Ensemble produces a Mainstage Season of six contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The Ensemble's Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the Theatre; and the Young Performers Program offers intensive summer training for children ages 7 to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts. Through its varied programs, The Ensemble projects to benefit an audience and artistic constituency that may potentially exceed 150,000 people annually.

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CONTACT:  Advantage Communications 
          Linda K. Brown
          (713) 737-8321 
          advantcomm@msn.com 

          The Ensemble Theatre
          Janette Cosley, Executive Director
          (713) 807-4311 
          jcosley@ensemblehouston.com