Phylicia Rashad & Nicholas Martin to Direct at Westport Country

October 7, 2011 by Kellie Williams in Latest News with 1 Comment

In the 80’s, Phylicia Rashad became a household name after starring as Claire Huxtable in the The Bill Cosby show. Her warm television role put her in the heart of Americans across the nation winning the award for “Best TV mom” in 2004 in a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. However, over the years the Howard University alum has proven to be more than just a Claire Huxtable. She has displayed her musical capabilities in works like “Jelly’s Last Jam,” Into the Woods,”Dreamgirls,” and “The Wiz.” And she also developed her acting in critically acclaimed film, “For Colored Girls,” and the soon-to-be-released, “Good Deeds.” She has also appeared on numerous Broadway productions as Violet Weston in “August: Osage County,” Big Mama in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Aunt Ester in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” (which garnered her a Tony nomination) and Queen Britania in Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline.”

And just when we thought Ms. Rashad has introduced us to all her talents, she’s expanded her talents to directing her own plays. She made her directional debut in 2005 by staging August Wilson’s drama “Gem of the Ocean,” and this past spring she also directed Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” in Ebony Repertory Theatre in LA.

Nicholas Martin a Brooklyn, NY native is also no stranger to the performing world. On Broadway he has directed “Present Laughter,” “Match,” “Hedda Gabler.” “The Rehearsal,” and “You Can Never Tell.” And Off-Broadway, he directed Christopher Durang’s “Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them,”The Time of Cuckoo,”Chaucer in Rome,” “Satan Returns,”Fully Committed,”Full Gallop,” and “Betty’s Summer Vacation,” which earned him Obie Award and Drama Desk Award nominations.

In 2012, they will both appear at the not-for-profit Westport Country Playhouse in Westport Conneticut. Martin is set to direct the intimate drama “The Year of Magical Thinking,” featuring Broadway veteran Maureen Anderman based on the National Book Award-winning memoir by author Joan Didion. The show will premiere June 12 and will continue on till the 30th. And Rashad will direct the timeless classic, Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin In The Sun,” for the second time from October 9th to November 3rd.

Full subscriptions which provides perks from 40% off single ticket prices, restaurant discounts, guaranteed seat locations, free ticket exchanges and much more will be available from Tuesday October 11th. Single tickets will go on sale March 6th. For tickets and subscription renewal visit Westport Playhouse.

Source: Courant

– @Ayo_Leslo

Authored by: Kellie Williams

http://thejasminebrand.com