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Saturday, May 7, 2011

PREMIERE STAGES ANNOUNCES 2011 SEASON: FEATURING TRUE ACCOUNTS OF UNYIELDING COURAGE

Premiere Stages at Kean University is proud to present a dynamic season of plays, featuring three compelling stories about women who dedicated their lives to making the world a better place.

EgyptianSongEGYPTIAN SONG
By James Christy
Directed by Michael Barakiva
WHEN: Friday, June 24, & Saturday, June 25, 7 PM; Sunday, June 26, 3 PM
WHERE:
the Murphy Dunn Theatre (Vaughn Eames Fine Arts Building), Kean University campus, Union
TICKETS: FREE staged readings

Admission to the Staged Reading of Egyptian Song is free and offers patrons a unique opportunity to participate in the development of a new play. In this captivating and poetic drama, a gifted young singer and her sensitive brother struggle to bridge social divides in early 20th Century Egypt as they search for happiness and independence in a world where tradition comes first.

FollowMeNellieFOLLOW ME TO NELLIE’S 
By Dominique Morisseau
Directed by John Wooten

WHEN: Thursday, July 14 – Sunday, July 31; Thursday - Saturday performances 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday matinee performances 3 PM
WHERE:
Zella Fry Theatre (Vaughn Eames Fine Arts Building), Kean University campus, Union

In Follow Me to Nellie’s by Dominique Morisseau and directed by John Wooten, we take our audience on a journey to the infamous Nellie Jackson’s where a hopeless blues singer is looking for a way out, a brave freedom fighter is looking for a way in, and a house of down trodden women are looking for a new day. In 1955 Mississippi, during the reign of segregation, the price of living their dreams may cost them everything they have. A moving true story, filled with blues, laughter and emotion, Nellie’s vividly examines sacrifices made during the early civil rights era. This Premiere Stages Festival Winner was selected from over 300 submissions.

HannahHANNAH
By John Wooten
Directed by Adam Immerwahr

WHEN: Thursday, September 1 – Sunday, September 18; Fridays and Saturday performances begin at 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday matinee performances begin at 3 PM
WHERE: Zella Fry Theatre (Vaughn Eames Fine Arts Building), Kean University campus, Union

This timeless piece, based on actual events, tells the story of freedom fighter and poet Hannah Senesh, who parachuted behind enemy lines during World War II to help Jews escape from Nazi occupied Hungary. The play is a powerful portrayal of a young woman's fearless commitment to making the world a better place. We watch Hannah grow from schoolgirl to a fearless soldier and an unbreakable prisoner of war. Celebrating Hannah’s spirit of hope and fortitude in the face of unbeatable odds, the production will provide a platform to explore the lingering effects of the Holocaust and to honor both its victims and heroes. Premiere Stages is collaborating with multiple partners on the production, both on and off-campus to bring this important story to life. (NOTE FROM THE MAVEN: This would be an excellent play to take your teenagers to see.)

TICKETS: range from $15 to $25, and special group rates are also available. In this challenging economic climate, Premiere Stages is committed to keeping tickets to their high-quality professional productions accessible and affordable. By purchasing a “Premiere Package,” subscription patrons can save up to $30.

To order tickets, join their mailing list, and/or to request a season brochure, please call the Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469).

For groups, call Paul Whelihan at 908.737.4077.

Premiere Stages’ Musical Fun Series features two excellent theatre presentations for young audiences. Pushcart Players is back at Premiere with their production of Peter and the Wolf on Wednesday, July 13, and Yates Musical Theatre will present the classic Alice in Wonderland on Wednesday, July 20.

Camp Premiere is Premiere Stages’ creative summer program. This year, due to a generous grant from the Westfield Foundation, Premiere Stages is proud to offer camp sessions for two different age groups. Session 1: “Let’s Put on a Show” is a performance and playwriting camp for ages 11-14 (July 18 through July 29); Session 2: “Taking the Stage” is an acting camp for ages 14-18 (July 25 – August 5). Camp Premiere is dedicated to fostering a creative and nurturing environment for young theatre artists at all experience levels. Both sessions culminate in a public showcase performance. The camp costs $295. Scholarships are available, with preference given to Union County residents. Registration forms are available on the Premiere Stages Website, www.kean.edu/premierestages.

All performances will take place on the Kean University campus, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J. Premiere Stages offers affordable prices, air-conditioned facilities and free parking close to the theatres. Premiere Stages provides free or discounted tickets to patrons with disabilities. All Premiere Stages facilities are fully accessible spaces. Please call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Large print programs are available at all times. Publications are available with advanced notice in alternate formats.

Premiere Stages is made possible in part through funding from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Provident Bank Foundation, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and through the generous support of individual patrons.

To register for Camp Premiere, reserve free tickets to the staged reading of the Egyptian Song, or learn about donation opportunities including the opening night fundraiser for Follow Me to Nellie’s and Hannah, please call Clare Drobot at 908.737.4092, or visit Premiere Stages online at www.kean.edu/premierestages.

For more information about specifics of our season, please contact Artistic Director John Wooten at jwooten@kean.edu or 908.737.4360.