Friday, March 28, 2008
PRINCESS ANNE, MD-Tickets for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 2008 Dinner Theatre production of “Blues N BBQ” slated for April 17-19 at 6 p.m. in the Richard A. Henson Center Ballroom are on sale now. Along with the UMES Drama Society members, the show also features guest performer Gene Johnson, a professional singer and musician from Hyattsville, Md. Gourmet food prepared by the Hotel and Restaurant Management faculty and students accompanies the show.
“This year’s cast is comprised of a nice mix of seasoned performers and musicians from the university and the community,” said Dr. Della Dameron-Johnson, UMES Drama Society director, assistant professor, Department of English and Modern Language.
Community actors and actresses include Marie Stanley Kinney, a 12-year veteran of UMES productions; Gail Taylor, a local educator and singer; and Ryan Lashley, a local educator, UMES alumna and former Drama Society member, all of Salisbury. Community musicians taking part in the production include Jabez Cropper, a bass guitarist with the UMES Gospel Choir, UMES alumna; Allen Williams, a guitarist, both of Salisbury; and Robert Morris of Hebron, a percussionist.
UMES adds its own talent to the show with Dr. James White of Princess Anne; Fernandez Batson, Gospel Choir director; Dr. Sheila Bailey of Salisbury; Marcellus Connor of Princess Anne; and Gene Lyons of Dames Quarter. Local students involved in the show are Jamaal Drayton, musician and vocal coach and William Wallace, assistant director, both of Salisbury.
“Blues N BBQ” is an original play written and directed by Dameron-Johnson. The play is about a family who has been in the barbeque business for over 60 years. The illness and recent death of the family patriarch, Boss Hog, has left the business in jeopardy. The family must decide if they can get the business back on solid ground. At a family meeting, an uncle does a stellar impersonation of Louie Armstrong. It gets the family thinking that they should incorporate blues entertainment into the business. The plot thickens with a conflict with the local church. “You’ll have to come out to one of the performances to find out what happens from there,” said Dameron-Johnson.
The ticket prices are Thursday, April 17, $35; Friday, April 18, $45; and Saturday, April 19, $50. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 410-651-6230.
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Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
Suzanne Waters Street, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, sstreet@umes.edu.
