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The Twelve Ways of Christmas,
Book, Music and Lyrics by Carlton Leake
Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris
Musical Premiere • General Audiences

Production Run: Nov. 22 – Dec. 28, 2008
Preview Dates: Nov. 22, 23 & 26
Opening Night: Nov. 28
Student Matinees: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10 & 17

The Twelve Ways of Christmas reminds us that, while the season may mean something different from one person to the next, the true message remains the same. With an eclectic blend of colorful Jazz, R&B, and Gospel, The Twelve Ways of Christmas guides us to the heart of our most memorable holiday experiences. Love prevails throughout this fusion of fun, joy, loneliness, jealousy and grief with twelve “ways”; including Romantic Christmas, Military Christmas, Family Christmas, and True Christmas. Songs that speak to our fantasies and realities, all wrapped in Christmas expectations, the audience is sure to connect with a truly delightful holiday treat.

The Man Who Saved New Orleans,
by Thomas Meloncon
Directed by Eileen J. Morris
Drama • World Premiere • PG

Production Run: Jan. 24 – Feb. 22, 2009
Preview Dates: Jan. 24, 25 & 28
Opening Night: Jan. 29
Student Matinees: Feb. 4, 11 & 18

A world premiere based upon many of the facts, misinformation and assumptions about one of the worst national disasters in the United States of America, this drama follows the story of the Boudreaux family, descendants of slaves whose hands built the city and whose African rhythms in Congo Square gave birth to Blues, Ragtime, and Jazz. Arthur Prejean, a man whose blood runs deep beneath the mansions and shotgun houses spread throughout New Orleans, boasts proudly of his heritage of African and Choctaw Indian, and must hold onto his family against the backdrop of a storm. Suddenly uprooted by Hurricane Katrina from the Creole soil that gave them strength, family loyalty and purpose, the family finds itself 280 miles west of New Orleans in Houston, Texas, splashed in raw truths. How does a family find happiness while searching for the life, love and unity
once known?

Constant Star, by Tazewell Thompson
Directed by Ron Jones
Collaboration with Lone Star College–Cy Fair
Drama with Music • Regional Premiere • General Audiences

Production Run: Mar. 14 – Apr. 12, 2009
Preview Dates: Mar. 14, 15 & 18
Opening Night: Mar. 19
Student Matinees: Mar. 25, Apr. 1 & 8

Special performances at Lone Star College–Cy Fair: Apr. 16–19, 2009

This powerful bio-drama is a bold look at the life of civil rights pioneer, suffragette and outspoken activist Ida B. Wells, a passionate, fiery champion of equality for women and black Americans. The daughter of freed slaves, Wells was a newspaper editor and publisher, co-founder of the NAACP, mother, wife, and the single most powerful leader in the anti-lynching campaign in America. Her outspoken nature, tenacious spirit and refusal to assimilate are portrayed in the life of this often
overlooked African American leader in this production interspersed with classic Negro spirituals.

Livin' Fat, by Judi Ann Mason
Directed by Eileen J. Morris
Comedy • PG

Production Run: Apr. 25– May 24, 2009
Preview Dates: Apr. 25, 26 & 29
Opening Night: Apr. 30
Student Matinees: May 6, 13 & 20

Times are tough for the Cooper family. Although money is tight, their affection for each other is limitless. Everything changes, however, when son David Lee, a college graduate forced by the economy to work as a bank janitor, interrupts a robbery. In their haste to get away the thieves drop a bundle of money, which David Lee picks up—it’s $50,000. When the family finds out where the money came from, their scruples are tested, but they finally agree that the Lord works in mysterious ways and this time he’s working for them. Join the fun is this witty, incisive and
downright hilarious comedy.

The Wiz,
Book by William F. Brown,
Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris,
Musical Direction by Carlton Leake
Musical • General Audiences

Production Run: Jun. 20 – Jul. 19, 2009
Preview Dates: Jun. 20, 21 & 24
Opening Night: Jun. 25
Student Matinees: Jul. 1, 8 & 15

Welcome to the magical wonderland of Oz where adventure is infused with a musical mixture of Rock, Gospel, and Soul music. Come join Dorothy and her amazing friends — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the cowardly Lion — as they ease on down the yellow brick road. All of them looking, reaching and searching with all of their hearts for a place called “home.”

1975 Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Musical Score.

Radio Golf, by August Wilson
Directed by Eileen J. Morris
Regional Premiere • Adult Language • R

Production Run: Sep. 25 – Oct. 19, 2008
Preview Dates: Sep. 25, 26 & 27 (2 PM)
Opening Night: Sep. 27
Student Matinees: Oct. 1, 8 & 15

A fast-paced, dynamic and wonderfully funny play about the world today and the dreams we have for the future. Set in Pittsburgh in the late 1990s, it’s the story of a successful entrepreneur, Harmond Wilks, who aspires to become the city’s first black mayor. Everything is going smoothly until a mysterious stranger, Elder Joseph Barlow arrives to tell Harmond that he in fact owns Aunt Ester’s house at 1839 Wylie Avenue right in the middle of the proposed development. This event forces Harmond to reconsider his values and his priorities toward success and reconnect with his past. He develops a new appreciation for the traditions of the old neighborhood. The story explores the many sides of a man, his choices in the world, what truly is right, the importance of tradition, American values and the role of family. The most contemporary work of August Wilson saturated with the spirits and dreams of generations past, Radio Golf is the final play in his unprecedented 10 play cycle chronicling African American life in the 20th century.