Nina Mercer's Gutta Beautiful returns.....

NEW FEDERAL THEATRE PRESENTS NINA ANGELA MERCER’S
“GUTTA BEAUTIFUL,” AT ABRONS ARTS CENTER
OCTOBER 18 THROUGH NOVEMBER 11
October 2007
Nina Angela Mercer

Woodie King, Jr.’s New Federal Theatre launches its 38th consecutive season with Nina Angela Mercer’s dynamic drama "GUTTA BEAUTIFUL," opening Wednesday, October 18 through Sunday, November 11, 2007, at Henry Street Settlement’s Abrons Arts Center / Recital Hall (466 Grand Street--Manhattan).

"GUTTA BEAUTIFUL" tells the searing story of Lola, a young Black woman who finds herself at a crossroads in love and life after discovering her own role in her man Michael’s choice to surrender to popular culture and the drug trade economy. Set in contemporary Washington, DC, Lola’s journey, as well as Michael’s and her girlfriends “Suga Sweet” and “Orchid,” transcend time, exploring the history of love and life for people of color. “The play represents both the imaginary and fantastic landscape of our collective psyche and the hard-core physical reality of our daily lives,” advises Ms. Mercer. “It is both beautiful and painfully ugly. The reality of our lives today is put in conversation with the dungeons of West Africa during the transatlantic slave trade, the Middle Passage, the auction blocks here in the Americas, the Black Power Movement, the Hip Hop Culture, and beyond.”

The talented cast of this impressive *Actor’s Equity Production consists of: *Daria Hardeman; Zuhairah McGill; *Ryne O’Connor; Gil Pritchett; Vanya Robinson; Lamont Stephens; Roxie Trapp-Dukes; David Wright (The Source); and Fauzi (DJ).

It is produced and presented by Woodie King Jr. (NFT Founder and Artistic Director), Directed by Eric Ruffin, and Stage Managed by *Bayo. Completing the exceptional play’s creative team are *Rosita Timm (Assistant Stage Manager); Anthony Davidson (Set Design); Shirley Pendergast (Lighting Design); Reggie Ray (Costume Design); M. Scott Johnson (Video Design); Kimani Fowlin (Choreographer); and Sean O’Halloran (Sound Designer).

Born and raised in Washington, D.C. and now residing in New York, Nina Angela Mercer is a playwright, essayist, fiction writer and visual artist. Her play, "GUTTA BEAUTIFUL" has been produced at D.C.'s Warehouse Theatre (2005), and for D.C.'s first Capital Fringe Festival at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre (2006). She received her M.F.A. from American University and studied Transnational Feminist Literature of the 20th century in the English Doctoral Program at the University of Maryland. She has taught at American University, University of Maryland, and Howard University, and is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Ocean Ana Rising, Inc., a non-profit arts incubator and outreach project. Nina is the proud mother of two daughters.

A must see, "GUTTA BEAUTIFUL" has mass appeal and will forge a new chapter in the world of theatre. We invite audiences (Parental Advisory) from age 17 and above to experience the uniquely honest, realistic depictions of life that speak to every generation.
The renowned artist/activist Harry Belafonte said, "I had the occasion to see the play in Washington DC and the talent revealed by Ms. Mercer is deserving of all support. . . As is indicated by her writing, she is a playwright to be taken seriously. I whole heartedly support your presentation of this very contemporary and provocative play.”
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Running from October 18, 2007 through November 11, 2007, “GUTTA BEAUTIFUL” performance schedule is: Wednesdays–Fridays (7:30 PM), Saturdays (3:00 PM & 7:30 PM) and Sundays (3:00 PM)

General Admission is $20.00. For credit card orders call Ticket Central Box Office (212-279-4200). To contact New Federal Theatre: 212-353-1176 / Newfederal@aol.com / Web-site: www.Newfederaltheatre.org.