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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PRESENTS PURE CONFIDENCE, (CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park examines the true meaning of freedom in January with Carlyle Brown’s critically acclaimed new play Pure Confidence. The show — which takes place on the eve of the Civil War when black jockeys, although slaves, dominated the sport of horse racing — begins public previews on January 16 and continues through February 16, 2007. Set against a backdrop of fast horses, gritty racetracks and high stakes betting, Pure Confidence is an extraordinary tale of human triumphs and failings. Simon Cato is one of the most successful athletes of his day. But Simon is also a slave who is hired out regularly to Colonel Wiley Johnson, owner of the prize thoroughbred Pure Confidence. The friendly relationship between Simon and the Colonel straddles the delicate and sometimes dangerous boundaries of the day. Brash, smart, outspoken and funny, Simon wants the one thing the Colonel can’t by law give to him: his freedom. So, Simon aspires to leverage his value as a jockey by using his share of his prize winnings to purchase a way out of slavery. Simon convinces the Colonel to acquire him outright and then use him as a horse trainer and jockey. Once he’s saved enough money, Simon hopes to buy himself from the Colonel. Spurred on by Simon’s racing success, the Colonel plans a circuit of appearances in the South’s many racetracks. But soon, these states begin seceding from the Union. The nation is at war. And, once the war is over, the lingering racism in both the North and the South leaves Simon realizing that freedom isn’t something a person can just give to someone else. Pure Confidence was commissioned by Actors Theatre of Louisville as part of the Humana Festival of New American Plays, in conjunction with the Southern Writers’ Project at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The show was the breakout hit of Humana, described as “the gem” of the Festival by curtainup.com and as “one surefire crowd-pleaser” by The NewYork Times. Carlyle Brown is a writer/performer and artistic director of Carlyle Brown & Company based in Minneapolis. His plays include The African Company Presents Richard III, The Little Tommy Parker Celebrated Colored Minstrel Show, Buffalo Hair, The Beggars' Strike, and The Negro of Peter the Great. He has received commissions from Arena Stage, Houston Grand Opera, Children’s Theatre Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Cleveland Play House and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Mr. Brown has been artist-in-residence at New York University School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program, The James Thurber House in Columbus and Ohio State University Theatre Department, where he directed his music drama, Yellow Moon Rising. He has been a teacher of playwriting at Ohio State University and Antioch College and worked as a museum exhibit writer and story consultant for the Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville. The cast for Pure Confidence includes Gavin Lawrence as Simon Cato, William Parry as Colonel Wiley Johnson, John G. Preston as George DeWitt/Clerk, Ron Riley as the Auctioneer/Reporter, Maureen Silliman as Mattie and Kelly Taffe as Caroline. Both Mr. Lawrence and Ms. Taffe originated their roles in the Louisville production. Pure Confidence is directed by Kent Gash, who also helmed the Playhouse’s 2003 production of Pacific Overtures. Mr. Gash is the associate artistic director at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Other members of the production team include Emily Beck (Set Designer), Austin K. Sanderson (Costume Designer), Liz Lee (Lighting Designer) and Eric Stahlhammer (Sound Designer). The first stage manager is Suann Pollock. Second stage managers are Wendy J. Dorn and Andrea L. Shell. For this production of Pure Confidence, the Playhouse is partnering with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to offer audience members the opportunity to delve further into their exploration of the meaning of freedom. During the months of January and February, patrons can take their ticket stub for Pure Confidence to the Freedom Center to receive $2 off the price of up to four regular admissions. In addition to its permanent programs, the Freedom Center will open its newest special exhibit in·vis·i·ble on January 6. The 2,700 square-foot multimedia program celebrates the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade and seeks to educate guests about slavery today and encourage and inspire them to take action. With video, photos, hands-on activities and interactive kiosks, in·vis·i·ble asks and answers the questions: “What is contemporary slavery?,” “Where and why does it exist?” and “What can we do to eradicate slavery today?” The exhibit runs through February 28. Plus, new audio tours of the Freedom Center, narrated by actresses Angela Bassett and Vanessa Williams, also recently were introduced. The hour-long audio tour helps to enhance the overall experience of the center’s major exhibits. Both in·vis·i·ble and the audio tours are included with admission to the Freedom Center. There are also two additional opportunities to learn more. At the Playhouse on January 28 at 6 p.m., Pure Confidence playwright Carlyle Brown will speak as part of the theatre’s free Perspectives lecture series. This pre-show discussion is made possible thanks to a generous donation by Roderick and Barbara Barr. No reservations are necessary, and patrons do not need a ticket to the performance to attend. At the Freedom Center on February 10 at 1:00 p.m., Dr. Anne Butler from Kentucky State University will present a special gallery talk about black jockeys and, specifically, the life and career of Oliver Lewis, the first winner of the Kentucky Derby and a one-time resident of Cincinnati. For more information, visit the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com or the Freedom Center site at www.freedomcenter.org. Prices for Pure Confidence range from $37.50 to $50.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $34.50 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 16 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 17. The official opening night is Thursday, January 18 at 8:00 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. Tickets to Pure Confidence are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
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Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, January 21 Audio Described Performance Signed Performance Playhouse Perspectives Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Sponsors Production Sponsors: Artist Sponsor: The 2006-2007 Marx Theatre Series is presented by The Marx Season Design Sponsor is ### |
