DRAMA
December 14 - 15, 2018
The Justice Theater Project presents Black Nativity
Admission: $21+
Black Nativity is a soul-stirring rendition of the Christmas Story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and glorious gospel music. It is a powerful retelling of the Nativity story from an African-American perspective. The original Black Nativity was written in 1961 by poet Langston Hughes. The African American viewpoint and gospel music make Black Nativity a unique performance piece. Often adapted, this one act version of the production will take the audience from a traditional black church to an Africanized Jerusalem through dance, powerful spirituals and anthems, and toe-tapping gospel numbers.The play tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey through song and dance, culminating in a rousing finale surrounding the birth of Christ.
Umstead Park United Church of Christ
8208 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh
(919) 264-7089
www.thejusticetheaterproject.org
December 14 - 16, 2018
Producer Wendell Tabb in association with Triangle Performance Ensemble present: Black Nativity
Admission: $20
Experience a stirring, soulful, gospel celebration about the birth of Jesus Christ based upon Langston Hughes’ version of the Christmas story. Under the direction of Wendell Tabb and musical direction of Xavier Cason, audiences in Durham, North Carolina are transported to the momentous birth of Christ. Comprised of both original music and contemporary gospel favorites, the story moves forward to an uplifting, undeniably spiritual celebration. Join over 100 singers, dancers and musicians for a production that has kept audiences praising and worshiping for the past 12 years! Black Nativity is a wonderful, traditional opportunity for everyone to focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season.
Hillside High School Theater
3727 Fayetteville Rd, Durham
(919) 906-0840
www.blacknativitydurham.com
December 16 - 18, 2018
The Justice Theater Project presents: Black Nativity
Admission: $21+
Black Nativity is a soul-stirring rendition of the Christmas Story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and glorious gospel music. It is a powerful retelling of the Nativity story from an African-American perspective. The original Black Nativity was written in 1961 by poet Langston Hughes. The African American viewpoint and gospel music make Black Nativity a unique performance piece. Often adapted, this one act version of the production will take the audience from a traditional black church to an Africanized Jerusalem through dance, powerful spirituals and anthems, and toe-tapping gospel numbers.The play tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey through song and dance, culminating in a rousing finale surrounding the birth of Christ.
Steward Theatre, Talley Student Union
NC State Campus
2610 Cates, Ave, Raleigh
(919) 264-7089
www.thejusticetheaterproject.org
January 20, 2019
African American Theater Preview
7pm
Admission: $15
The Triangle Friends of African American Arts is bringing together performing arts organizations to showcase the wonderful African American plays and musicals that will hit the stages in 2019. This special evening will include insights from playwrights as well as songs and dramatic scenes from upcoming performances.
Raleigh Little Theatre
301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
January 23, 2019 - February 10, 2019
Jump
Admission: $15+
An unexpected bridge between sorrow and hope. This funny, heartbreaking, and surprising new play takes us on a theatrical journey to a place where lights flicker, things fall from the sky, and a sister finds solace on a bridge. PlayMakers is proud to present the world premiere of this work by emerging playwright Charly Evon Simpson.
PlayMakers Repertory Company
120 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill
(919) 962-7529
www.playmakersrep.org
January 24, 2019 - February 10, 2019
Ashe in Johannesburg
Admission: TBA
In the late 60s/early 1970s, a meteor shot across the sportsworld, a young African American man named Arthur Ashe. He won the US Open in 1968, becoming the first black man to win a ‘major’. In 1970, the won the Australian Open and in 1975, wearing the ‘whites’ of the All-England Club, he defeated the brash Jimmy Connors to claim the Wimbledon crown. But it was a little known competition that he entered in 1973, one that took him into the heart of Apartheid South Africa, that saw Ashe fight, and win, his greatest battle. And it wasn’t on a tennis court. Burning Coal has commissioned the rising young playwright Hannah Benitez to tell this little known story for the first time.
Burning Coal Theatre
224 Polk Street, Raleigh
www.burningcoal.org
February 1 - 3, 2019
Men Always Leave
Admission: $15
Men Always Leave is about family, betrayal, love and ultimately, self discovery. It was inspired by one of the playwright's original, spoken word pieces that shares the same title, thus proving the malleable nature of her work.The play tells the story of a woman who must face the pains of the past to move beyond a life on hold and secure a positive future for her and her son, yet she is not the only one that is grappling with a haunting past. The one act play, successfully attests to Naima's ambitious passion and talent.
Cary Players
The Cary Theater
122 E. Chatham Street, Cary
www.caryplayers.org
February 23, 2019
Inside Studio Real: A Choreopoetic Sitcom
4pm & 7:30pm
Admission: TBA
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
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
December 14 - 15, 2018
The Justice Theater Project presents Black Nativity
Admission: $21+
Black Nativity is a soul-stirring rendition of the Christmas Story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and glorious gospel music. It is a powerful retelling of the Nativity story from an African-American perspective. The original Black Nativity was written in 1961 by poet Langston Hughes. The African American viewpoint and gospel music make Black Nativity a unique performance piece. Often adapted, this one act version of the production will take the audience from a traditional black church to an Africanized Jerusalem through dance, powerful spirituals and anthems, and toe-tapping gospel numbers.The play tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey through song and dance, culminating in a rousing finale surrounding the birth of Christ.
Umstead Park United Church of Christ
8208 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh
(919) 264-7089
www.thejusticetheaterproject.org
December 14 - 16, 2018
Producer Wendell Tabb in association with Triangle Performance Ensemble present: Black Nativity
Admission: $20
Experience a stirring, soulful, gospel celebration about the birth of Jesus Christ based upon Langston Hughes’ version of the Christmas story. Under the direction of Wendell Tabb and musical direction of Xavier Cason, audiences in Durham, North Carolina are transported to the momentous birth of Christ. Comprised of both original music and contemporary gospel favorites, the story moves forward to an uplifting, undeniably spiritual celebration. Join over 100 singers, dancers and musicians for a production that has kept audiences praising and worshiping for the past 12 years! Black Nativity is a wonderful, traditional opportunity for everyone to focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season.
Hillside High School Theater
3727 Fayetteville Rd, Durham
(919) 906-0840
www.blacknativitydurham.com
December 16 - 18, 2018
The Justice Theater Project presents: Black Nativity
Admission: $21+
Black Nativity is a soul-stirring rendition of the Christmas Story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and glorious gospel music. It is a powerful retelling of the Nativity story from an African-American perspective. The original Black Nativity was written in 1961 by poet Langston Hughes. The African American viewpoint and gospel music make Black Nativity a unique performance piece. Often adapted, this one act version of the production will take the audience from a traditional black church to an Africanized Jerusalem through dance, powerful spirituals and anthems, and toe-tapping gospel numbers.The play tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey through song and dance, culminating in a rousing finale surrounding the birth of Christ.
Steward Theatre, Talley Student Union
NC State Campus
2610 Cates, Ave, Raleigh
(919) 264-7089
www.thejusticetheaterproject.org
January 20, 2019
African American Theater Preview
7pm
Admission: $15
The Triangle Friends of African American Arts is bringing together performing arts organizations to showcase the wonderful African American plays and musicals that will hit the stages in 2019. This special evening will include insights from playwrights as well as songs and dramatic scenes from upcoming performances.
Raleigh Little Theatre
301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
January 23, 2019 - February 10, 2019
Jump
Admission: $15+
An unexpected bridge between sorrow and hope. This funny, heartbreaking, and surprising new play takes us on a theatrical journey to a place where lights flicker, things fall from the sky, and a sister finds solace on a bridge. PlayMakers is proud to present the world premiere of this work by emerging playwright Charly Evon Simpson.
PlayMakers Repertory Company
120 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill
(919) 962-7529
www.playmakersrep.org
January 24, 2019 - February 10, 2019
Ashe in Johannesburg
Admission: TBA
In the late 60s/early 1970s, a meteor shot across the sportsworld, a young African American man named Arthur Ashe. He won the US Open in 1968, becoming the first black man to win a ‘major’. In 1970, the won the Australian Open and in 1975, wearing the ‘whites’ of the All-England Club, he defeated the brash Jimmy Connors to claim the Wimbledon crown. But it was a little known competition that he entered in 1973, one that took him into the heart of Apartheid South Africa, that saw Ashe fight, and win, his greatest battle. And it wasn’t on a tennis court. Burning Coal has commissioned the rising young playwright Hannah Benitez to tell this little known story for the first time.
Burning Coal Theatre
224 Polk Street, Raleigh
www.burningcoal.org
February 1 - 3, 2019
Men Always Leave
Admission: $15
Men Always Leave is about family, betrayal, love and ultimately, self discovery. It was inspired by one of the playwright's original, spoken word pieces that shares the same title, thus proving the malleable nature of her work.The play tells the story of a woman who must face the pains of the past to move beyond a life on hold and secure a positive future for her and her son, yet she is not the only one that is grappling with a haunting past. The one act play, successfully attests to Naima's ambitious passion and talent.
Cary Players
The Cary Theater
122 E. Chatham Street, Cary
www.caryplayers.org
February 23, 2019
Inside Studio Real: A Choreopoetic Sitcom
4pm & 7:30pm
Admission: TBA
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
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