A newcomer to JAC brings us one of our most charged and poignant plays; a full-length tour-de-force for a strong African-American actress.  Who Will Sing for Lena? is a one-woman, 75-minute play that gives a voice to Lena Baker and provides insight into the background of Ms. Baker and her tragic story. Using actual trial transcripts, the play provides motivations for Baker's actions as a poor, black woman in the rural south of the 1940s. It dramatically tells the story of her abuse, the killing, the trial, and ultimately, her execution.  Because the details of her life outside the transcript are virtually unknown, the playwright has used creative license to fill in the gaps of Baker's story.  Truly, a moving piece not to be missed.

 

Next we have a comedic jaunt into the world of psychological experiments.  Kellie Powell's short play Reserved is a ribald college comedy about Nicole, a shy student who, after participating in such an experiment for extra credit, suddenly becomes the polar opposite of her former self. In fact, Nicole puts her exhibitionist roommate, Maggie, to shame. Nicole even finds the courage to approach Joel, the guy she's had a crush on since freshman year. But Maggie is worried. What's with Nicole's sudden and extreme transformation? More importantly, what will happen if she changes back to her former self?

 

Need a good belly-laugh comedy?  Gene Lesser's What's the Difference? is a rollicking, fun-loaded view of today's family structure.  A widowed father, with his housekeeper's help, attempts to foil his young son's marriage to a much older woman.  Destined to be a crowd-pleaser, What's the Difference has a cast of six (2 men; 4 women) and a single set.  

 

Also new from Gene Lesser is a short on a much more serious side.  Tour of Duty is the story of how one female soldier's rape case was treated by the Army.  7 men and 2 women complete the cast.  Stirring, unsettling and hard to imagine that such things could occur amongst those that are believed to protect us all.

 

What's the Difference? and Tour of Duty are the third and fourth Lesser releases from JAC, others including Quick'n Ready and Relationships: Eight Short Plays.   

For more information about these or any of JAC's play selections, visit us at

www.jacpub.com or drop us an email!

For this season of good will toward men and community spirit, we wanted to draw your attention to an organization at the center of connecting hundreds and hundreds of people of all ages...all the time!  The Folk Arts Center of New England is a non-profit organization located in Melrose (MA), but offers a WORLD of opportunities to come together, dance, sing, laugh and celebrate multi-cultural arts.  Aside from regularly scheduled events such as Bulgarian/ Balkan, Greek and Israeli Folk Dancing, as well as Contras, English and Scottish Country Dances (to name a few), FAC offers Family Dances, Cotillions and International Dance Parties, as well as workshops and instructional sessions so that NO individual will feel left out.  They have events scheduled on weeknights, weekends, and at various times so that no individual will be unable to plan and participate.  Some events boast live music from wonderful musicians and callers. Klezmer Workshops, Dance Parties and "Rip-Snortin' Squares" - FAC is a virtual hub of activity for all kids of FOLK!  We strongly encourage you to check FAC out online, or call their FolkFone at (781) 662-7476 to get a run down fo what's upcoming.  They have a jam-packed FolkNews mailer you can sign up for, too, to have all kinds of fun delivered to your doorstep.  Enjoy!

 
Would you like your production or event featured here?  Email us for more information!

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