(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s biggest musical hit of the last 20 years is back! Free your soul with the mystical and magical journey of Keith Glover’s THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR in the Robert. S Marx Theatre April 21 through May 20.
Set in Bessemer, Alabama, in 1966, THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR is a musical fairy tale steeped in folklore and the mystique of the Deep South. Marvell Thunder, a blues-playing stranger and supernatural shape-shifter, pays a visit to the Dupree family. Years before he’d lost a cutting contest to Jaguar Dupree, and now, after the man’s death, he has returned to challenge the children of the only musician who ever “out-licked him” and claim the pair of charmed guitars their father bequeathed to their care. He’s convinced that winning them will set his life right again, and stop him from turning to stone. Having already beaten the son, Jaguar Dupree, Jr., he’s set to challenge the daughter, the beautiful and blind Glory Dupree. With Delta blues guitars, they come together “where the two roads meet” for a musical face-off that will decide everyone’s fate.
Producing Artistic Director Ed Stern said, “THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR is a remarkable, intoxicating musical fable filled with humor, heart and extraordinary music. I am delighted to welcome Keith Glover back to the Playhouse. He is a visionary, a craftsman with a fabulous soul.”
THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR was commissioned by the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which first produced it in 1996. It won the 1997 Osborn Award for Best Play from the American Theatre Critics Association. After that, the production received many revisions in eight cities, before coming to the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. and the Playhouse in 1999.
Playwright Keith Glover said, “THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR is about the love of music, love of family, love of tradition, love between a man and woman, father and son, mother and daughter. We don’t have to see African-Americans hating each other all the time. We don’t always need to see ‘real life’ up there. Also, for some African-Americans, this is their real life. There are black people who are leading great lives. I have a great deal to be thankful for. African-American life, like the blues, is not only about sadness. There is room in the kaleidoscope for all of our experiences.”
Terry Burrell returns to the Playhouse to play Good Sister Dupree. She appeared in the same role in the 1999 production. Jennie Harney (Beehive) will play Glory Dupree. Making their Playhouse debuts are David St. Louis as Marvell Thunder, Trent Armand Kendall as Jaguar Dupree, Sr./Dregster Dupree and Timothy Ware as Jaguar Dupree, Jr. Supporting them will be a five-man blues band.
Joining Glover on the production team are Choreographer Kenneth L. Roberson, Music Director Michael Leroy Peed, Set Designer David Gallo, Costume Designer Paul Tazewell, Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase, Sound Designer David B. Smith, Illusion Designer James Steinmeyer and Costume Coordinator Kara Harmon. The Production Stage Manager is Jenifer Morrow.
Prices for THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR range from $25 – $71, depending on day and seat location, and are subject to change. Tickets are just $25 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25. Some restrictions apply. The official opening night is Thursday, April 26 at 8 p.m.
Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets to THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208) or visit http://www.cincyplay.com. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility.
The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.
The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.
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 Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Special Performances
Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.
- 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29
- 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2
- 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13
- 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17
Audio Described Performance
4 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, May 13
Playhouse Perspective
A free, pre-show lecture series featuring theatre artists and experts. Funding provided by Roderick and Barbara Barr. The featured speaker will be creator and director Keith Glover. Time: Sunday, May 6 at 6 p.m.
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 $27. Karlo’s Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Credit cards are now accepted.
Sponsors
Production Sponsor: Fifth Third Bank and this production honors the brave men and women in our armed forces
Artist Sponsor: Schiff, Kreidler-Shell, Inc.
Honorary Producer: Lee Meyer
The 2011-2012 Marx Theatre Series is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.
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