April 14, 2008—Alexandria, LA: City Park Players Community Theatre of Central Louisiana announces the second offering of their 60th Anniversary Season, The Old Settler, written by John Henry Redwood. Directed by noted New Orleans actor/director Sh’riff Hasan, the production features a local cast and crew of stage veterans and newcomers.
Set in 1943, the story involves two middle-age sisters living in a bustling, jazzy Harlem during the waning days of the Harlem Renaissance. When a strapping young man fresh from the backwoods of South Carolina takes a room as a boarder in their apartment, old hurts and new tensions surface between the two sisters as romance brews between the older sister and the handsome newcomer. The play takes its name from a line in the play as the audience learns just how deeply two sisters can love as well as hurt one another.
The Old Settler is an American Theatre Critics Award-winning work by John Henry Redwood, recipient of the 2001 Bryan Family Foundation Drama Award for Southern Literature. The play was adapted for television in 2001 and presented by PBS, starring Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad.
In celebration of their 60th Anniversary Season, the theater will unveil a frameable art poster commissioned especially for the production and designed by local artist Jennifer Cooper, formerly of New Orleans. Available in limited edition, the posters will be for sale through the run of the show.
In keeping with the cultural setting of the play, the theatre also will raffle a Romare Bearden custom-framed print, entitled “Jammin’ at the Savoy.” Celebrated as one of the most creative and original visual artists of the twentieth century, Bearden is best known for his richly textured collages, two of which appeared on the covers of Fortune and Time magazines.
The Old Settler opens Thursday, April 17 and runs through April 27, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 with Sunday matinees at 2:30. All performances will be held at the Bringhurst Park Theatre, 1802 Sylvester Street, Alexandria, Louisiana. Discounted season tickets for the remaining productions in City Park Players’ 60th Anniversary Season remain available through the theater box office. Individual tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 and older), and $5 for students with current ID. Group sales are also available.
For tickets, reservations, or more information, contact the City Park Players box office at (318) 442-1800 or email cparkplayers@bellsouth.net.
The Old Settler cast and crewmembers members include:
Sh’riff Hasan – Director
Karen Riley Simmons – Elizabeth “Bess” Borny
Rosa Metoyer – Quilly Borny McGrath
Sherman Desselle – Husband Witherspoon
Consondra “October” Davis - Lou Bessie Preston
Faith Johnson – Lorraine
Yvonne Lemons – Stage Manager
Ron Rachal - Lighting Design
Doran O’Donnell – Set Construction
Angie Hartman – Costume Matron
Pamela Kay – Property Matron
Classy Q. Parker – Light Board Operator
The City Park Players 60th Anniversary Season is made possible, in part, by grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, and the Roy O. Martin Foundation. City Park Players’ production of The Old Settler is underwritten, in part, by CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital of Alexandria.
A premiere community theatre, City Park Players is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to offering quality cultural activities and experiences to the entire Central Louisiana community through live theatre productions, programming, and education. Visit our Website at www.cityparkplayers.org.
Tickets also available at:
Etc. by Downs
2800 Jackson Street
Alexandria LA 71301
(318) 473-4385
Arricka’s Shoes & Accessories
1335 Peterman Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 475-6323
Weiss & Goldring Specialty
3601 Masonic Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 433-9200
The Gold Mind
2975 Highway 28 East
Pineville LA 71360
(318) 442-4130
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