2012 Season Opens with the Midwest Premiere of "Blue"

South Bend Civic Theatre opens its 2012 season on a high note with the Midwest premiere of “Blue,” directed by special guest Ron OJ Parson, running January 20th – February 6th.

Written by Charles Randolph-Wright with original music by Grammy winner Nona Hendryx, “Blue” tells the story of the well-to-do Clark family in all their dysfunctional glory. A clan whose success is built on a thriving funeral home business, the Clark family is a bundle of contradictions: diligent hard-working Samuel maintaining the family business; his mother Tillie, as down-home and brutally honest as they come; his sons, Sam and Reuben, trying to find their own way out of the mess; and ruling the roost is his wife Peggy, whose aspirations for class and style push the family bonds to the breaking point. Her only refuge in the turmoil is the music of her idol Blue Williams, who haunts the play with his voice and presence, turning music into memory and who holds the key to the problems of the family.

Variety described “Blue” as ‘an entertaining, often hilarious sojourn’ with the ‘outrageously dysfunctional Clark family… sprinkled with snappy dialogue and witty repartee,’ that ‘offers a refreshing glimpse into the inner workings of a black family whose joys and woes are anything but stereotypical.’ The New York Times called the play ‘polished and silky-smooth,’ that ‘adds a pleasing layer of entertainment’ and ‘you might leave whistling.’

Portraying the unique individuals of the Clark family is a fine ensemble cast featuring Paul Bertha as Samuel Clark Jr., Ian Coates as young Reuben/Blue Jr., Diane Gammage as Tillie, Laurisa LeSure as LaTonya Dinkins, Ben Little as Blue Williams, Gilbert Michel as adult Reuben, Natalie Davis Miller as Peggy Clark, and Shaylon Wright as Samuel Clark III.

Director Ron OJ Parson describes his desire to work with South Bend Civic Theatre as an opportunity to ‘give back’ and embrace ‘the innocence of theatre.’ Parson stresses the importance for him to ‘go back to the roots of theatre, working with people who do shows that are all about the love of doing theatre. Community theatre is all about making theatre by the community, for the community.’ Parson hopes his background and experience will ‘add another element’ to local actors and give them ‘positive theatre experiences that will live with them.’

Parson’s attraction for “Blue” grew out of ‘the natural and real humor’ of the script ‘without seeming fake or stereotypical.’ For Parson, ‘every play is a love story’ and his approach to the dysfunction of the Clark family is grounded in that sensibility. He likes how the play ‘shows another side, a different angle to African-American life’ than is normally presented. As an African-American, Parson feels he can bring out cultural nuances and feelings from the cast that serve to enhance the ‘tone of the time, while at the same time stressing the universal appeal of the play and characters.’

“Blue” runs January 20th – February 6th in the Wilson Mainstage Auditorium at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N Main St South Bend. The play contains adult situations and some mature language, parental discretion is advised.

A special gala fundraiser will be held Thursday January 19th - please call for details. Tickets go on sale January 1st and can be purchased at the box office 574-234-1112 or online at www.sbct.org.