Photo credit: Kimberly C. Gaines
Nationwide — The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) has teamed with Restoration Stage to bring the popular musical “Veils” to the Los Angeles area for a short run Friday, March 13th, 2020 at 8pm and Saturday, March 14th, 2020 at 2pm and 8pm (with a special private performance for local high school students) at the Nate Holden Performing Art Center in Los Angeles, California. These performances commemorate the 55th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”So much has been written about the men lost in the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter movements. Unexplored, however, are the stories of the women whose lives are affected by these tragedies—the women who wear the “Veils.” This musical is described as “an emotional historical pageant of grief and resilience, that pays tribute to women veiled in mourning, with a focus on Black lives lost in bloodshed during the sixties Civil Rights Movement.”
“Veils,” the musical, is written by Steven A. Butler, Jr. and directed by Courtney Baker-Oliver. The cast includes Roz White*, Desire’ Dubose*, Jeremy Keith Hunter*, Andrea Gerald, Corisa Myers, Kandace Foreman, Jenna Murphy, Suli Myrie, Ayana Reed & Catrina Brenae (*member of Actor’s Equity Association). Stage Management by Ronald Lee Newman, Musical Direction by Justin Thompson, Sound/Video Design by David Lamont Wilson, Lighting Design by Jerry Dale, Jr., Graphic Design by Kimberly C. Gaines; Executive Producer, Sandra Evers-Manly and Producers: Courtney Baker-Oliver and Steven A. Butler, Jr.
The musical has many raving reviews:
“Gut-wrenching, eye-opening, and inspiring Veils – is a scrapbook, a dream book — a record of women’s work.” — DCTheatreScene.com
“The singer-actors have created an exquisitely beautiful experience of enduring sorrow, honor, and healing.” — John Stoltenberg
“The surprise is that with Veils two such multitalented African American young men have undertaken this profoundly womanist theme with such deep empathy and authentic respect. This, to my knowledge, is a first in theatre history.” — DCMetroTheatreArts.com
“Tackles roles ranging from Sybrina Fulton and Mamie Till to Jacqueline Kennedy and Viola Liuzzo.” — The Washington Informer
“I’m thrilled that my mother’s story is one being told in this production which brings history to life and to light.” — Mary Liuzzo, daughter of civil rights martyr Viola Liuzzo
“Often these voices and fighters get lost in history. But not this time.” — Sandra Evers-Manly
Tickets are $45.00 each. $40.00 for students and seniors. $35.00 for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, log onto www.bherc.org or call 310-284-3170.
About the BHERC
Founded in 1996 by Sandra Evers-Manly, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of Black images in film and television. Through film festivals, award ceremonies, book signings, script readings, contests, scholarships, other programs and special events, BHERC recognizes the contributions of Black men and women in front of and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Learn more at www.BHERC.org. Like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
About Restoration Stage, Inc.
Based in Washington, DC, Restorage Stage is an independent theatre company. Best known for the original works of its founders, playwright Steven A. Butler, Jr., director/lyricist Courtney Baker-Oliver and composer Christopher John Burnett, it is a partnership that has yielded the critically-acclaimed “The Truth”, “All That Glitters”, and “Chocolate Covered Ants.” The core focus of Restoration Stage, Inc. is to produce innovative theatrical productions with themes that contribute to the on-going dialogue about how to improve the condition of the family in American society.
Their Founders:
Courtney Baker-Oliver and Steven A. Butler, Jr. created Restoration Stage, Inc. in May 2005 and serve as Restoration Stage’s legal directors. Initially created as a producing entity for Butler’s play, “The Truth,” it has expanded to include additional projects currently in various stages of development. Since 2005, Restoration Stage has employed the talents of more than fifty performers, designers, technicians and other support staff to produce its productions. Learn more at www.restorationstage.org
PRESS CONTACT:
Lura Ball
213-400-3489