DRAMA
February 14 - 17, 2019
The Talk
Admission: $10+
A virtuosic one-man show written and performed by Sonny Kelly about the difficult conversation a father must have with his son in a racially divided America. A co-production with StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance. Contains adult themes.
Historic PlayMakers Theater
122 E Cameron Ave, Chapel Hill
www.bulldogdurham.org
February 22, 2019 - March 3, 2019
A Need Fulfilled
Admission: $15+
A world premiere. The heroic true story of the black nurses of World War II who fought both at home and abroad to serve the wounded and each other. Written and Directed by Arthur M. Reese Presented by NCCU Theater and Never Stop Productions.
North Carolina Central University, Farrison-Newton Communications Building
1711 Fayetteville Street, Durham
www.neverstopprod.org
February 23, 2019
Inside Studio Real: A Choreopoetic Sitcom
4pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $15+
Created by Dasan Ahanu, the plays is the made up story, of creatives, hired to be cast members on a popular radio program, work together, and not complain about their paychecks. Find out what happens when people who don’t know we are watching start getting real. Inside Studio Real is a wild ride full of music, dance, song, and poetry all delivered in dramatic episodic absurdity. Actors are beloved for how they play their role, but wait until you see how much of a character they are when they are being themselves. Come see this cast bring the scripts they are presented with to life on the radio while filling the studio with their lives (and all that comes with it) during the process. Don’t be scared if you see a bit of yourself on stage, it’s all part of the show.
Hayti Heritage Center
804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham
www.blackpoetrytheatre.com
February 23, 2019
Peace of Clay
Admission: $20
PEACE OF CLAY, a new work by two of the region’s most exciting playwrights, Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft, explores the pressures, hopes, and aspirations of a young man coming of age in a southern city in the 1980s. Raised by a devoted mother in the projects, the main character tries to pursue his path in the midst of obstacles large and small, and discovers his own power and strength. The play is a meditation on an African-American lower-working-class family in pursuit of an American dream that seems to always be just beyond their grasp.
Living Arts Collective
410 West Geer Street, Durham
(919) 831-6941
March 8 - 24, 2019
Bob Marley's Three Little Birds
Admission: $11.24 (Children), $16.86 (Adult)
Meet Ziggy, a shy boy who would rather stay at home and watch television than explore the island of Jamaica. Over the course of his onstage journey, with some help from his friend Nansi, he realizes that the real adventures can be found outside, amid the birds and jungles and beaches. Their worldly adventure is enlivened by the fantastic songs of renowned Reggae artist, Bob Marley. Based on the story by Cedella Marley. Music & Lyrics by Bob Marley. Adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt. Additional Music & Lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II.
Raleigh Little Theatre
301 Pogue St, Raleigh
(919) 821-4579
www.raleighlittletheatre.org
April 30, 2019 - May 2, 2019
Madea's Farewell Play Tour
Admission: $48.50+
Tyler Perry recently announced that he would bring the Madea Franchise to a halt with a final movie. BUT, before Perry leaves he would like to give Madea fans a proper goodbye with Madea's Farewell Play Tour. Perry made headlines last month when he announced that he would be hanging up Madea’s wig in 2019, with the expected final stage play and the upcoming film Madea’s Family Funeral, being released by Lionsgate on March 1, 2019. Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Farewell Play Tour” will be Perry’s 21st stage play. In addition to Perry, the play will star Tamela Mann, David Mann, and Cassi Davis Patton.
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street, Durham
(919) 680-2787
www.dpacnc.com
May 2 - 12, 2019
The Dance on Widow’s Row
Admission: $20
A hilarious home-grown comedy by Samm-Art Williams. Join the four most eligible women of Port Town, NC as they host a one-of-a-kind party to entice their bachelor guests into becoming their next husbands . . . or perhaps their next victims.
Agape Theatre Project
Burning Coal Theatre
224 Polk Street, Raleigh
www.agapetheatreproject.com
June 7 - 23, 2019
Caroline, Or Change
Admission: TBA
Featuring a virtuosic score by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie), it blends blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies. In 1963, the Gellman family and their African-American maid, Caroline, live in sleepy Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working in a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. A sung-through musical, CAROLINE OR CHANGE offers multiple layers of political, social, and feminist themes. Equally representing the voices. The big issues of the day play out in the domestic, female-oriented space of the home. The musical examines the intersection of gender, race, religion, and class, presenting women within the larger context of history and faith.
The Justice Theater Project
Umstead Park United Church of Christ
8208 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh
www.thejusticetheaterproject.org
February 14 - 17, 2019
The Talk
Admission: $10+
A virtuosic one-man show written and performed by Sonny Kelly about the difficult conversation a father must have with his son in a racially divided America. A co-production with StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance. Contains adult themes.
Historic PlayMakers Theater
122 E Cameron Ave, Chapel Hill
www.bulldogdurham.org
February 22, 2019 - March 3, 2019
A Need Fulfilled
Admission: $15+
A world premiere. The heroic true story of the black nurses of World War II who fought both at home and abroad to serve the wounded and each other. Written and Directed by Arthur M. Reese Presented by NCCU Theater and Never Stop Productions.
North Carolina Central University, Farrison-Newton Communications Building
1711 Fayetteville Street, Durham
www.neverstopprod.org
February 23, 2019
Inside Studio Real: A Choreopoetic Sitcom
4pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $15+
Created by Dasan Ahanu, the plays is the made up story, of creatives, hired to be cast members on a popular radio program, work together, and not complain about their paychecks. Find out what happens when people who don’t know we are watching start getting real. Inside Studio Real is a wild ride full of music, dance, song, and poetry all delivered in dramatic episodic absurdity. Actors are beloved for how they play their role, but wait until you see how much of a character they are when they are being themselves. Come see this cast bring the scripts they are presented with to life on the radio while filling the studio with their lives (and all that comes with it) during the process. Don’t be scared if you see a bit of yourself on stage, it’s all part of the show.
Hayti Heritage Center
804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham
www.blackpoetrytheatre.com
February 23, 2019
Peace of Clay
Admission: $20
PEACE OF CLAY, a new work by two of the region’s most exciting playwrights, Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft, explores the pressures, hopes, and aspirations of a young man coming of age in a southern city in the 1980s. Raised by a devoted mother in the projects, the main character tries to pursue his path in the midst of obstacles large and small, and discovers his own power and strength. The play is a meditation on an African-American lower-working-class family in pursuit of an American dream that seems to always be just beyond their grasp.
Living Arts Collective
410 West Geer Street, Durham
(919) 831-6941
March 8 - 24, 2019
Bob Marley's Three Little Birds
Admission: $11.24 (Children), $16.86 (Adult)
Meet Ziggy, a shy boy who would rather stay at home and watch television than explore the island of Jamaica. Over the course of his onstage journey, with some help from his friend Nansi, he realizes that the real adventures can be found outside, amid the birds and jungles and beaches. Their worldly adventure is enlivened by the fantastic songs of renowned Reggae artist, Bob Marley. Based on the story by Cedella Marley. Music & Lyrics by Bob Marley. Adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt. Additional Music & Lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II.
Raleigh Little Theatre
301 Pogue St, Raleigh
(919) 821-4579
www.raleighlittletheatre.org
April 30, 2019 - May 2, 2019
Madea's Farewell Play Tour
Admission: $48.50+
Tyler Perry recently announced that he would bring the Madea Franchise to a halt with a final movie. BUT, before Perry leaves he would like to give Madea fans a proper goodbye with Madea's Farewell Play Tour. Perry made headlines last month when he announced that he would be hanging up Madea’s wig in 2019, with the expected final stage play and the upcoming film Madea’s Family Funeral, being released by Lionsgate on March 1, 2019. Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Farewell Play Tour” will be Perry’s 21st stage play. In addition to Perry, the play will star Tamela Mann, David Mann, and Cassi Davis Patton.
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street, Durham
(919) 680-2787
www.dpacnc.com
May 2 - 12, 2019
The Dance on Widow’s Row
Admission: $20
A hilarious home-grown comedy by Samm-Art Williams. Join the four most eligible women of Port Town, NC as they host a one-of-a-kind party to entice their bachelor guests into becoming their next husbands . . . or perhaps their next victims.
Agape Theatre Project
Burning Coal Theatre
224 Polk Street, Raleigh
www.agapetheatreproject.com
June 7 - 23, 2019
Caroline, Or Change
Admission: TBA
Featuring a virtuosic score by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie), it blends blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies. In 1963, the Gellman family and their African-American maid, Caroline, live in sleepy Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working in a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. A sung-through musical, CAROLINE OR CHANGE offers multiple layers of political, social, and feminist themes. Equally representing the voices. The big issues of the day play out in the domestic, female-oriented space of the home. The musical examines the intersection of gender, race, religion, and class, presenting women within the larger context of history and faith.
The Justice Theater Project
Umstead Park United Church of Christ
8208 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh
www.thejusticetheaterproject.org