Returning for its fourth season on March 14, during Women's History Month and at The Billie Holiday Theatre is the 50in50 monologue series, a showcase of 50 original monologues on the black woman experience.
The breakout series and popular showcase is the brainchild of playwright, actress and 2018 MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient Dominique Morisseau-- 50 original monologues by Black women performed by renowned actors in theatre, TV and film.
This year's 50 monologues were chosen from hundreds of submissions, and the lineup of actors reading is strong as ever, including:
- Lisa Arrindell (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Saints & Sinners, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)
- Marsha Stephanie Blake (Orange is the New Black, The Merchant of Venice)
- Lilli Cooper (Tootsie, Wicked)
- LaChanze (The Color Purple and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical),
- Joie Lee (She's Gotta Have It, Do The Right Thing)
- Celestine Rae (Boardwalk Empire, Blacklist)
- Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Women of Brewster Place)
- Pauletta Pearson Washington (She's Gotta Have It, The Old Settler and Autumn at The Billie)
This year's 50in50 asks writers, What would we say in a Letter to Our Sons?"
"If sons are not just born of our loins, but also born of our collective energies, then what do we want to say to our sons? This legion of men who will grow up in a post #metoo, post #blacklivesmatter, post #timesup era?" Morriseau asks.
"When we know these sons are also growing up in a world with our daughters, who do we want them to become? ... And if we could create a map for their survival, what would be the route?"
The showcase will feature live music by Maritri Garrett and Tayler Harris.
"With 50in50, we wanted to create a space and platform for agency and empowerment so that women can share their stories from the nuanced and diverse places that we as Black women exist in every day," said Dr. Indira Etwaroo, executive director of the Billie Holiday Theatre. "This year's theme really allows Black women to look at national and global issues through the lens of honest and open dialogue with Black men."
BHT will present three performances of 50in50: Letters to Our Sons on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 3:00pm and 7:00pm; and Sunday, March 15, at 3:00pm
General admission tickets for 50in50: Letters to Our Sons are $25 and available for purchase online at thebillieholiday.org. For tickets by phone, call (718) 636-6995. Tickets are also available in person at the Billie Holiday Theater located at 1368 Fulton Street, Monday - Friday 4:00pm - 7:00pm and Saturday 12:00pm - 4:00pm.
