The Ensemble Theatre Announces 2004-2005 Season -- We're Having A Ball Telling Our Story

New Play Added At End Of Season

HOUSTON, July 13, 2004 -- The Ensemble Theatre is proud to announce its 28th Season, opening September 18, 2004. "The season kicks off within weeks of our black tie gala in August, an evening of 'ball gowns', theatrical tributes, and entertainment", observes Producing Artistic Director, Marsha Jackson-Randolph. "We want new and core audiences to know that the entertainment quotient will be high and thus, the entire season carries the theme, "We're Having A Ball Telling Our Story!" Highlights of the season include four acclaimed plays presented Off-Broadway this season. In addition to the encore presentation of "Crowns" (extended twice during its successful Ensemble run), these hits straight from New York include "The Story", "A Pure Gospel Christmas", and "From My Hometown". Jackson-Randolph adds, "three of these new works originated at other non-profit theatres across the country, before opening in New York. True to form, The Ensemble continues a tradition of showcasing some of the best work in the country."

The 2004-2005 Mainstage Season of six productions promises to take its audiences on an exhilarating theatrical ride mixing contemporary comedy, an August Wilson classic, provocative drama echoing today's headlines, and three musicals heralding gospel and R &B. "We're having a ball telling our story.

We want audiences to have a ball, too!"

        "THAT SERIOUS HE-MAN BALL", by Alonzo D. Lamont, Jr.
                  Directed by Marsha Jackson-Randolph
     Previews: September 18-22; Opens: Sept. 23 - October 17, 2004

             "Colorful dialogue..lively interplay...carry
                    "'He-Man Ball'" -- Houston Chronicle
                   "'He-Man Ball' takes great shots"
                            -- Houston Post

           Three 'brothers' on the basketball court push the
             stakes beyond 'Chicks' and ball games and the
         boundaries of friendship, comedy, and drama go where
                       'no man has gone before'.
     Rating: PG 17 and adult for language and content. An Encore.

                      "A PURE GOSPEL CHRISTMAS",
     Conceived by Leslie Dockery & David A. Tobin, Guest Directors
    Previews: November 20 - 24; Opens: Fri., Nov. 26 -Dec. 31, 2004
 "Song, devotion, and cheer...casting a glow over the holiday season."
                         -- The New York Times --

  A Baptist Church seeking the 'true' meaning of Christmas gets
  the audience in the act of a holiday 'crowd-pleasure' featuring a 
        score of gospel music and holiday favorites. Rating: General 
        audiences.  A Houston premiere from Off-Broadway.

                "TWO TRAINS RUNNING"- by August Wilson
    Previews: January 22-25; Opening: January 27-February 20, 2005

          "(Two Trains) . . . a good ride, funny, painful
              and radiantly alive."   -- Talking Broadway-

          Wilson interweaves lives and hopes into a story set
           in the 1960's in a small diner where trains and a
           cry of retribution, "I want my ham!" foretell the
                 rise of Civil Rights and Black Power.
             Rating: PG - 13 for some language. An Encore.

                  "THE STORY" by Tracey Scott Wilson
                  Directed by Marsha Jackson-Randolph
         Previews: March 5-9; Opening: March 10-April 10, 2005
 "Resonates in the imagination long after the drama has unfolded."
                          -- The New Yorker --

          Drama, mystery, and irony escalate in a critically
       acclaimed snapshot from today's headlines, portraying an
       ambitious reporter who plays the race card to advance her
                         story and her career.

 Rated: PG 13 for some language. A Houston premiere from Off-Broadway.

                    "CROWNS" by Regina Taylor
         Previews: April 23-27; Opening: April 28-May 29, 2005

       "Crowns charms with church hat lore". - Houston Chronicle
       "Thoroughly joyous, if not downright heavenly" -- Houston Press
      The musical Crowns celebrates the generations of African
    American women whose hats fuse faith and fashion. An Encore.

        -- "NAT KING COLE AND ME", the music that reunites a father
                               and son.
           Previews:  June 11-15; Opens June 16 -July 17, 2005

    "For Nat Kind Cole fans, hearing the first few bars of some of
     his songs, is like reuniting with old friends"
                -- TheartreMania,  Denver

  A mother introduces her son to records of Nat King Cole and through
   his music he is reunited with the father, the hero and friend he
                    had always wanted.

     We want you . . . to have a ball, too.  Join us for the 2004-2005
                               Season!

For information regarding subscriber opportunities, tickets and group sales, call The Ensemble Theatre Box Office at 713-520-0055 x 306. Ride the Metro Rail to your stop for culture -- The Ensemble!

               Performance Times

 Previews:    8:00 pm Saturday; 3:00 pm Sunday; 7:30 pm Wednesday
 Thursdays:   7:30 p.m.
 Fridays      8:00 p.m.
 Saturdays:   Matinee 2:00 p.m.; 8:00 p.m.
 Sundays:     Matinee 3:00 p.m.

CONTACT:  The Ensemble Theatre
          Phyllis J. Bailey 
          (281) 438-0985
          Janette L. Cosley   
          (713) 520-0055, Ext. 311
          (713) 520-1269, Fax