Kennie Playhouse Theate (KPT) explores the unique voices of women by presenting a run of two plays from Broadway during the same time period. KPT kicks off National Women’s Month with two plays written by multi-award-winning playwright, Dominique Morisseau, “Sunset Baby” and “Confederates.” Both, previously seen on Broadway, are powerhouse stories about women.
At the helm of Morisseau’s “Confederates” is highly regarded phenom director, Bianca Laverne Jones, who will set the stage ablaze. This play is eye-opening and thought-provoking, to say the least. It is sure to leave the audience in awe. KPT is excited to welcome New York’s own celebrity guest director Bianca, who is known for her remarkable role in originating the character “Sandra” in the inaugural production at the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Her extensive experience and expertise will undoubtedly enhance this production and inspire its cast.
In “Confederates,” Morisseau introduces the audience to the lives of two Black women named Sandra and Sara. Sandra is a tenured professor at a modern-day university while Sara is an enslaved woman turned Union spy living during the Civil War era. Both women are chasing liberation in their respective ways. However, even though they are both from periods over a century apart, their life stories may not be as distant as it would seem.
In “Sunset Baby,” directed by KPT Executive Artistic Director Kennie Dozier, Morisseau takes the audience on a journey through the eyes of a young woman named Nina. Nina happens to be the estranged daughter of Black revolutionist Kenyatta. One day, while waiting for her boyfriend Damon’s arrival, Nina is met with an unexpected blast from the past. Who is beyond the door? What is their motive? Most importantly, what unforeseen events could happen after the door has had a chance to be opened?
These production feature two outstanding casts. “Confederates” includes Rachael Gray as Sandra, Lauren Jones as Sara, Jonathon Joyner as Malik / Abner, Yohanna Florentino as Luanne / Jade, and Lauren Hutchins-Jones as Missy Sue / Candice. “Sunset Baby” includes Quincie Smalley as Nina, Adrian Cook as Damon, and Michael D. Fletcher as Kenyatta.
Tickets to both plays are on sale now; general admission, $35.00; Seniors, $20.00; and Students $20.00. Performances run Saturday, March 1 through Sunday, March 9, at The Z. Alexander Looby Theater at 7:30 p.m. nightly, with Saturday & Sunday Matinees at 2:30 p.m. and a special Senior Daytime Show Tuesday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m., as follows: Confederates: Saturday, 2:30 pm; Tuesday, 10:00 am; Thursday, 7:30 pm; Saturday, March 8, 7:30 pm; and Sunday, March 9, 2:30 pm; the running time is 2 hours. Sunset Baby Saturday, March 1, 7:30 pm; Sunday March 2, 2:30 pm; Wednesday, 7:30 pm; Friday, 7:30 pm; and Saturday, March 8, 2:30 pm; the running time is 90 minutes.
To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit: www.kennieplayhousetheatre.org The Z. Alexander Looby Theater, named after the famed Nashville-based civil rights leader is located in MetroCenter, at 2301 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Nashville TN 37228.
