HOUSTON, March 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
| Who/What: | The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris will direct the theatre's upcoming production of 'Jitney,' the eighth production in August Wilson's 10-play cycle. |
| Set in 1977, Jitney tells the story of a group of men in Pittsburgh's Hill District who drive unlicensed "gypsy" cabs that for years have served as a vital means of transportation for the working class in Pittsburgh and other urban centers. The men must ban together in their struggle to earn a living (and respect) as urban redevelopment threatens their livelihood with demolition. They struggle to overcome their personal conflicts in order to foster a sense of solidarity against a backdrop of diminishing opportunities. | |
| When: | Previews: Saturday, March 26, 2011: 8:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 27, 2011: 3:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, March 30, 2011: 7:30 p.m. | |
| Show Run: March 31– April 24, 2011 | |
| Thursdays: 7:30 p.m. | |
| Fridays: 8:00 p.m. | |
| Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. | |
| Sundays: 3:00 p.m. | |
| ****Opening Night and Media Reception is Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 6:30 p.m*** | |
| For subscription information, ticket sales or group sales, call the box office at (713) 520-0055 | |
| Where: | The Ensemble Theatre |
| 3535 Main St. | |
| Houston, TX 77002 | |
| www.ensemblehouston.com | |
| 713-520-0055 | |
The Ensemble Theatre's 2010-2011 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Texas Commission on the Arts. Continental Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. This production is generously underwritten by Chevron.
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-four years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to being one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to a myriad of audiences.