The First Breeze Of Summer
at The Peter Norton Space

The full cast has been announced for The First Breeze Of Summer, the first production of Signature’s 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

Joining the previously announced Tony and Emmy Award winner Leslie Uggams will be Quincy Dunn BakerHarvey Blanks, Yaya DaCosta, Sandra Daley, Crystal Anne Dickinson, Brandon Dirden, Jason Dirden, Marva Hicks, John Earl Jelks, Tuck Milligan, Gilbert Owuor, Brenda Pressley and Keith Randolph Smith.

The First Breeze Of Summer, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, bopens at the Peter Norton Space on 21 Aug 208, following previews from 5 Aug and running through to 28 Sep 2008.

The show takes place over the course of one sweltering weekend in June, as the struggles of three generations of the Edwards family collide. Gremmar (Leslie Uggams), the family matriarch, looks back on her past and considers its legacy for her children and grandchildren as they confront the choices that will define their futures. Leslie Lee’s Obie Award-winning play is a timeless portrait of family bonds and coming of age.

The original production of The First Breeze Of Summer, directed by NEC founder Douglas Turner Ward, received a Tony Award nomination for Best Play during its 1975 run at Broadway’s Palace Theatre. The creative team includes: Michael Carnahan (sets), Karen Perry (costumes), Marcus Doshi (lighting) and David Margolin Lawson (sound).

Signature’s 2008-2009 season will be an examination of a body of work from the historic Negro Ensemble Company’s collective of writers, whose contributions have helped shape America’s theatrical heritage.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson will serve as Associate Artist for the season, which will also include Samm-Art Williams’ Home, Charles Fuller’s Zooman and the Sign, and a staged reading of Douglas Turner Ward’s Day of Absence.

(For tickets and more information click here)