Historic Dock Street Theatre: A Woman Called Truth

A Woman Called Truth

Playing February 15 – March 3 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre
Broadway Veteran Danielle Lee Greaves to star in A Woman Called Truth, the story of one woman’s remarkable journey from slavery to abolition and freedom.

Woman Called Truth 2013
© All rights reserved Charleston State

Charleston, SC – New York City Broadway Veteran, Danielle Lee Greaves, comes to Charleston as a Guest Actor to star in Charleston Stage’s moving production of Sandra Fenichel Asher’s A Woman Called Truth, the remarkable story of women’s rights and abolitionist advocate Sojourner Truth. Greaves’s previous Broadway, international, and regional credits include: A Streetcar Named Desire, Rent, Hairspray, Hair, The Lion King, Sunset Boulevard and Show Boat. Greaves has also appeared in the hit television shows “Smash”, “The Big C”, “Rescue Me” and “Damages”.

A Woman Called Truth brings to life the incredible odyssey of Sojourner Truth from the time she was a young girl until her life’s journey ended at the age of 86.It was a remarkable journey. In 1797, Sojourner Truth, then known as Isabella Baumfree, was born into slavery in upstate New York. When the state of New York freed its slaves in 1824, Sojourner discovered that her former master had illegally sold Sojourner’s son to a new master in Mississippi. Remarkably, Sojourner sued her former master in state court and won. He was forced to go to Mississippi and bring Sojourner’s son back to her. Thus began Sojourner’s lifelong fight for freedom and justice. She changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became a powerful preacher and advocate for abolition and women’s rights. Along the way she would meet Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln in her quest to bring basic human rights to all Americans. Charleston Stage brings the story of this trailblazing human rights advocate to the Historic Dock Street Theatre stage, when Sandra Fenichel Asher’s moving play A Woman Called Truth opens on February 15, 2013 at 7:30 PM.

Featuring a stunning score of authentic spirituals and folk songs of the period, A Woman Called Truth draws on the actual writings of this remarkable civil rights trailblazer, including Sojourner’s famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech, which wasrousinglydelivered at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.

Directed by Charleston Stage Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles, A Woman Called Truth features, in addition to guest New York actor Danielle Lee Greaves in the title role, some of Charleston’s most talented African American actors and singers including: Brittani Minnieweather as Sissy, who will be remembered as Paulette in Legally Blonde the Musical last fall, Lisa M. Montgomery as Mama, whom Charleston Stage audiences will remember as Glinda/Aunt Em in last season’s The Wiz; John Smalls as Baumfrey/Old Man, last scene onstage as Scarecrow/Uncle Henry in The Wiz and Charleston Stage Professional Resident Actor Harrison Grant, known for his hilarious performance as UPS delivery man in Legally Blonde the Musical.

Rounding out the remarkable all professional cast are additional members of Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Acting Company: Arielle Kook (Miss Neely/Mrs. Gedney), Lauren Monteleone (Maria Wagener/ Mrs. Whiting), Josh Harris (Caitlin/ Auctioneer/ First Man/ Gedney), Scott Gibbs (John Dumont/ 2nd Reverend) and Devon A.A. Norris (Squire Chip/ John Neeley).

February 15th: “A Woman Called Truth.” Presented by Charleston Stage at Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street; By Sandra Fenichel Asher; Directed by Julian Wiles; Music Directed by Sam Henderson; Associate Sponsor – First Citizens Bank; Supporting Sponsor – Publix Super Markets Charities. A Woman Called Truth chronicles the remarkable story of Sojourner Truth from the day she was a slave girl and sold away from her family, through her struggle to free herself and her son, to her emergence as revered leader and farsighted advocate for abolition, and visionary pioneer for women’s rights. A Woman Called Truth combines Truth’s actual words with authentic slave songs, spirituals, and folk songs of the period to tell a moving and powerful story. February 15-16, 20-23, 28, and Mar.1-2 at 7:30 p.m, and February 17, 24, Mar.3 at 3 p.m. $34.50 – $53.50 for adults, $32.50 – $53.50 for seniors (60+), and $22.50 – $53.50 for students (25 and under). Tickets available online 24/7 at www.charlestonstage.com. Tickets by phone available Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm (Also open Sa 1pm-5pm show weeks only) by calling (843) 577-7183.

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CHARLESTON STAGE’S A WOMAN CALLED TRUTH FACT SHEET

Theatre

The Historic Dock Street Theatre (135 Church Street)

Performances:

February 15, 2013 Fr/Opening Night 7:30pm

February 16, 2013 Sa 7:30pm

February 17, 2013 Su 3:00pm

February 20, 2013 Wd/Pay-What-You-Will 7:30pm

February 21, 2013 Th 7:30pm

February 22, 2013 Fr 7:30pm

February 23, 2013 Sa 7:30pm

February 24, 2013 Su 3:00pm

February 28, 2013 Th 7:30pm

March 1, 2013 Fr 7:30pm

March 2, 2013 Sa 7:30pm

March 3, 2013 Su 3:00pm

Sponsored by:

Associate Sponsor

First Citizens Bank

Supporting Sponsor

Publix Super Markets Charities

Prices:

Adult: $34.50 – $53.50

Seniors (60+): $32.50 – $53.50

Student: $22.50 – $53.50

Tickets Now On Sale:

Order by Phone (843) 577-7183

Order online at www.charlestonstage.com

Group Rates Available: Call Allison Schnake, Director of Sales, at (843) 647-7365

Student Rush: College student tickets, with proof of valid ID, are $10.50 one hour before curtain (subject to availability)

A Woman Called Truth Credits:

By Sandra Fenichel Asher

Directed by Julian Wiles

Music Directed by Sam Henderson

Scenic Design by J. Kenneth Barnett III
Lighting Design by Paul Hartmann
Costume Design by Barbara Young
Properties by J. Kenneth Barnett III
Technical Direction by Paul Hartmann
Production Stage Management by Chet Craft

A WOMAN CALLED TRUTH CAST (In Alphabetical Order):

CHARACTER ACTOR

Auctioneer/Caitlin/Gedney/Master Scriver/Officer – Scott Gibbs**
Bob/Overseer/Ensemble – Harrison Grant**
Sojourner Truth – Danielle Lee Greaves*

Young Sojourner – Jalaya Dargon/Tamia Horton
Judge/John Dumont/Righteous Reverend – Josh Harris**
Mrs. Neely/Mrs. Gedney – Arielle Kook**
Grown-Up Pete/Ensemble – Vinnie Mercer

Sissy/Ensemble – Brittani Minnieweather
Mrs. Whiting/Mrs. Maria Wagener – Lauren Monteleone**

Sojourner’s Mother (Mom)/Ensemble – Lisa Montgomery
Squire Chip/Mr. John Neely/Mr. Wagener – Devon A.A. Norris**
Young Pete/Young Sojourner’s Brother/Ensemble – Malcolm Palmer/Mosiah Williams

Baumfrey (Sojourner’s Father)/Old Man with Shovel/Ensemble – John Smalls
Old Woman/Ensemble – Teresa Smith

* New York Equity Guest Actress
** Members of Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Acting Company

A WOMAN CALLED TRUTH GUEST ACTOR BIO

Danielle Lee Greaves (Sojourner Truth)
Broadway: A Streetcar Named Desire (u/s Eunice, Neighbor Woman, Mexican Woman, Matron – Original
Cast), Rent (Joanne Jefferson), Hairspray (Lorraine, u/s Motormouth Mabel – Original Cast), Sunset Boulevard (Katherine/Psychiatrist), Show Boat (Ethel – Original Cast). New York: Chix 6 – Queens Theatre in the Park (Mamamazing), Civil War Voices – Midtown International Theatre Festival (Elizabeth Keckley), Two Gentlemen of Verona – Shakespeare in the Park (Milkmaid), Purlie – City Center Encores!. National: The Lion King – Cheetah Tour (Shenzi), Rent – Benny Tour (Joanne Jefferson), Rent – Angel Tour (Mrs. Jefferson and Others). International: Rent (Asia), Show Boat (Toronto), Hair (Europe). Regional: All Shook Up – Ogunquit Playhouse (Sylvia), Ethel Waters – His Eye is on the Sparrow – The Human Race Theatre Company (Ethel Waters), Working – The Old Globe (Woman 2), Caroline or Change – Centerstage (Washing Machine/Moon), Working – Asolo Rep (Woman 2), Swinging on a Star – Riverside Theatre (Woman 2), Nunsense – Foothills Theatre Company (Sister Hubert). Film: “Growing Up and Other Lies”. Television: “Smash”, “The Big C”, “Rescue Me”, “Damages”, “Whoopi, “100 Centre Street”. Voiceover: A Streetcar Named Desire (Pre-show Announce), Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Industrial: Rite Aid, Elidel. Other: Broadway Inspirational Voices