MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Opens 9/3 at Shadow Theatre Company

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Shadow Theatre Company, under Executive Artistic Director Keith L. Hatten announce the opening of Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM by August Wilson, which will be directed by Hugo Jon Sayles. Performances will run September 3 - October 17, 2009.

Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM, at one stroke, marked Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson's transition from novIce To celebrity. The first in his ten-play cycle and the only one not set in Pittsburgh, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom explores the racial realities of Black recording artists as embodied by the famous 1920s blues singer Ma Rainey. The playful banter and stories told by her musicians as they wait for the arrival of Ma Rainey illustrates lives and music during the time when Black music was making the move from the traditional blues to the new form of jazz. Come and see Shadow's new artistic director Keith L. Hatten light up the stage in his final performance in the state of Colorado along with a cast of other amazing actors! The cast features Ms. Wendelin Harston of Denver's own Queen City Jazz Band as Ma Rainey and Mr. Brett Scott as Irvin.

Opening night tickets are now on sale for$26.  The opening night tickets include admission to a special reception starting at 6 pm and one complimentary drink. The performance will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.  Also present on opening night will be two local African American artists -- Deidre Hardin and Rhoda Johnson -- who will be displaying their amazing and inspiring artwork.

Shadow Theatre Company is located at 1468 Dayton Street, Aurora, CO. 80010.  Founded by Jeffrey Nickelson in 1997, Shadow Theatre Company (Shadow) answered the artistic and spiritual necessity of creating an African American theatre for the Rocky Mountain region. Eleven years later, Shadow moved into a new state-of-the-art building, made possible in part through a partnership with the City of Aurora. Besides becoming Shadow's main performance venue, the new headquarters will serve as an arts incubator for the local community.

Under the leadership of new Artistic Director Keith L. Hatten, seasoned actor of stage and screen, Shadow looks forward to confirming its legacy as a theatre of excellence in the western region.

Shadow's performances continue to reflect upon the social morés of our time, challenging audience members to reconsider their own values, attitudes and actions. In addition to our theatrical season, each summer Shadow provides an intensive, five-week artist-in-residence program for area youth that culminates in a full production led, produced, directed and performed by program participants.

Shadow has presented 48 productions and received countless awards including the Mayors Award for Excellence in the Arts and numerous Denver Post Ovation Awards and nominations.

Purchase your tickets online today for opening night of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at http://www.shadowtheatre.com.

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