Letters From Zora in Pasadena Aug. 15-18

 The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director), announced today that it would present the One Pearl and a Sphinx production of LETTERS FROM ZORA which will play a five performance, limited engagement starring Vanessa Bell Calloway. LETTERS FROM ZORA, written by Gabrielle Pina, directed by Anita Dashielle-Sparks with live music composed by Ron McCurdy is scheduled to play from August 15 – 18, 2013, with a press opening night on August 15 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are now on sale for all performances.

“LETTERS FROM ZORA is an untold story about the unbridled creativity of Zora Neale Hurston: writer, anthropologist, voodoo priestess and overall Renaissance woman determined to live and die by her own mind,” stated writer Gabrielle Pina.  “This production offers a passionate glimpse of history, music, and artistry intended to illuminate her life, her extraordinary career and her immeasurable contributions to the American literary canon.”

Through the dramatization of personal letters, LETTERS FROM ZORA explores Hurston’s controversial views on integration, segregation and social justice showcasing a life that was filled with artistic triumphs as well as abject poverty and self-doubt. Veteran actress Vanessa Bell Calloway plays the role of Zora in this provocative multimedia production directed by Anita Dashiell-Sparks and written by novelist Gabrielle Pina. With live music composed by Ron McCurdy and archival images collected by Margie Labadie, LETTERS FROM ZORA will illuminate Hurston’s prose, her life, her distinctive array of friends and foes and her unique view of a jazz-age world.



LETTERS FROM ZORA will play August 15 – 18, 2013, with a press opening night on August 15, at 8:00 p.m. Single ticket prices are $30.00 - $75.00.  The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.  The performance schedule is Thursday and Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org, by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates.  On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Group Sales (8 or more people) are available by calling 626-921-1161. For more information, visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.