Trey Anthonys ‘Da Kink In My Hair’ Returns to Atlanta thru August 28

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Da-Kink-in-my-hair
Trey Anthony
Trey Anthony

 

From long-running international sell-outs to a TV show, da Kink in My Hair by Trey Anthony sweeps into Horizon Theatre in Atlanta this summer beginning July 15.  A musical sensation, ‘da Kink tells of love, hope, survival and redemption through eight women’s trials and celebrations.  Winner of 4 NAACP Theatre Awards and named Critics Choice by the London Evening Standard, ‘da Kink in My Hair will move, inspire and delight.

July 15 - August 28
July 15 – August 28

 

“If you want to know a black woman, you touch her hair,” says Novelette, as she delves into the tresses and stresses of her clients to reveal their hidden stories. On this day in the salon of their West Indian stylist, hurried women converge to have their hair done for dates, jobs and upkeep.   But they come away with not just a new hairdo, but a lifted soul and a lightened heart.  This amazing musical tells their incredible, uncensored, unforgettable tales through songs and dance with a vibrant drum beat.

Award-winning playwright Trey Anthony, known as “The Oprah Winfrey of the Canadian theater scene,” is currently National New Play Network Playwright-in-Residence at Horizon Theatre.   Da Kink will be re-imagined for Horizon audiences by Horizon Associate Artist, director Thomas W. Jones II, and revered musical director S. Renee Clark teaming up again after past Horizon hits like Three Sistahs, Right On and Uprising. Terry Burrell, last seen as the star of the Alliance Theatre’s acclaimed show Ethel, will lead the cast of talented women through this moving musical night.

Performances are Wed., Thurs., and Fri. at 8 PM, Sat. at 3 PM and 8:30 PM, and Sun. at 5 PM at Horizon Theatre in Little Five Points/Inman Park (1083 Austin Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30307) through August 28.  Tickets, starting at $25, and information is available at www.horizontheatre.com or 404.584.7450.

The Story: ‘da Kink in My Hair

da Kink in My Hair is an emotionally charged stage musical with unforgettable stories of love, hope, survival and redemption. ‘da Kink  revolves around Novelette, a funny and frank West Indian hair stylist who serves as a confidant for the women in her shop and their everyday trials and tribulations, many which are familiar to black women.  From a successful career woman needing more from life to a mother recovering from the loss of her child to a grandmother finding unexpected love to a beautiful closeted actress, writer Trey Anthony uses ‘da Kink in My Hair as a platform to masterfully blend real life stories of laughter, tears, revelation and inspiration.

Novelette is more than just their stylist, she is their friend, their confessor and their absolver.  As tales of survival come bubbling forth, Novelette listens and heals hurt with love and support.   Successful career woman Sherrelle is the rock for family, friends and her employer to lean on, but what about her own needs?   Patsy lost her teenager to gun violence, but is now pregnant again and looking for a second chance.  Beautiful TV star Sharmaine visiting home is the envy of the salon, but her adoring mother and friends can’t accept her love for another woman.   White, working class Suzy seeks reconciliation with her family and acceptance of her bi-racial child.   Dark-skinned Nia finds herself struggling to come to terms with the passing of her mother who always favored her light-skinned sister.   Young Stacey-Anne, newly arrived from Jamaica, is excited to have her own room and nice things, but misses her grandmother back home and has a dark secret to share.   And Miss Enid is the widowed grandmother who gets her groove back, giving a little sweet potato pie to her neighbor and getting some good lovin’ in return.   As stories of newfound hope and possibility are revealed, the ladies grow. And a kaleidoscope of drumming, singing and dance transform the salon to a magical, sacred space.

Playwright and Director

Trey Anthony, an award winning playwright, executive producer, actor, creator, and stand‐up comedian, is known for the ground-breaking television and theatrical production ‘da Kink in my Hair.  The recipient of four NAACP Theatre awards and nominated for four Dora Mavor Moore Awards (Canadian awards equivalent to the Tony’s),  it was the first Canadian play to be produced by Broadway-style powerhouse Mirvish Productions at Canada’s largest commercial theatre where it was extended five times.  Anthony is the first Black Canadian woman to write and produce a television show on a major prime time Canadian network. In 2009, Anthony founded, The Trey Anthony@One Centre in Toronto, a women‐focused, creative wellness facility.   Now playwright Trey Anthony makes her home in Atlanta, as well as Toronto, and is Horizon’s 2016 National New Play Network Playwright-in-Residence.  She recently debuted a limited run of her newest play, How Black Mothers Say I Love You, to acclaim in Toronto and a Canadian tour is planned for 2017.

Artistic Associate Thomas W. Jones II returns to Horizon to direct his twelfth production.   Past shows include audience favorites such as Uprising, every tongue confess, Right On, The Bluest Eye, and Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery (Suzi Award for Best Play). Tom was the co-founder of Jomandi Productions in Atlanta, the third largest African-American theatre in the US, which he helmed for two decades.   As a writer, director, and actor, his work has received acclaim nationally and internationally, including Helen Hayes Awards, New York Audelco Awards, Dramalogue Award, San Diego Critics Award, and the NAACP Phoenix Award.   He works regularly in NYC and regionally and has ongoing relationships with theaters in Minneapolis, Washington D.C., and Phoenix, among others.   Last year, Tom directed the play whose real-life rehearsals and performance were televised on the Bravo series Real Housewives of Atlanta and was featured on the show as the director.

Suzi Award-winning Musical Director S. Renee Clark returns after her recent Horizon triumphs – The Toxic Avenger and Avenue Q both at Horizon and in Piedmont Park.  She continues a creative collaboration with director Tom Jones that is more than twenty years in the making, including recent work together on Uprising, Right On and Sheddin’ at Horizon. Here she weaves the story together with through a score that ranges from R&B to gospel to African drumming and beyond.

Cast and Designers

Leading the cast of talented Atlanta actors, Terry Burrell plays Novelette, the stylist at the center of the story. Last seen in the one-woman show Ethel at the Alliance, Terry has also starred in Broadway shows including Dreamgirls, Into the Woods, and Showboat, among many others.  She has also performed in off-Broadway and touring shows and regional performances and concerts.

Sharing the stage with her is a diverse ensemble of all-star Atlanta actors.  Three-time Suzi Award nominee Minka Wiltz returns to the Horizon stage after her last performances in every tongue confess and Right On.  An Atlanta favorite, she has been seen in shows at the Alliance Theatre, Synchronicity Theatre, Serenbe Playhouse, Actor’s Express and more.  Jeanette Illidge was part of the powerhouse cast of Rent at Actor’s Express and was most recently seen in Little Princess at Theatrical Outfit.   Reunited on stage with her is Jennifer Acker, who played opposite her in Actor’s Express Rent.  Jen has starred in Camelot and Romeo and Juliet for Georgia Ensemble Theatre and is also Serenbe Playhouse’s education director.  Maiesha McQueen tore up the stage in True Colors’ production of Chasin’ Dem Blues last summer which continued to Milwaukee Repertory Theatre this past spring.   Maiesha’s film credits include Down to Earth with Chris Rock.  Marliss Amiea will be making her Atlanta debut.  Hot off the Broadway National and Toronto Tour of The Lion King, Marliss has also been seen in Aida, Hairspray, and Beauty and the Beast. Notable TV credits include Rake and Young and the Restless, as well as several Lifetime and Hallmark movies. Onya Russell is an Atlanta native who attended Tri-Cities High School and received the Shuler Hensley Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Color Purple.  She is currently studying theatre at the University of Arts in Philadelphia.   Percussionist Monica Carter’s rhythm will lead the vocals and transitions that make this musical take flight.

The multiple Suzi Award winning set designers Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay will create a storytelling space that goes from salon to dance circle and beyond.  Resident lighting designer and Suzi Award winner Mary Parker will light the way, while costume and wig designer Nyrobi Moss (also a Suzi winner) creates the diverse community of women who frequent Novelette’s salon.  Trevor Carrier, a current MFA theatrical design candidate at UGA who has also designed props for Aurora Theatre, is props master.  Angie Bryant who created sound for Horizon’s Grand Concourse will be helming the sound design.

Tickets and More

‘da Kink in My Hair runs July 15th through August 28th.  Performances are Wed, Thurs and Fri at 8 PM, Saturday at 3 PM and 8:30 PM and Sunday at 5 PM at the Horizon Theatre in Little Five Points/Inman Park. (1083 Austin Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, corner of Euclid and Austin Avenues).  There is no Sat matinee July 16th.

Tickets start as low as $25 (plus 8% sales tax) and are on sale now.  Prices change based on availability and demand, so buy early for the best prices!    Tickets and information are available at or 404-584-7450 or www.horizontheatre.com

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