"Crowns" on Stage

IIT and Open Door Repertory present Crowns

Stirring production comes to IITs South Side campus for 4 performances only

Illinois Institute of Technology's (IIT) Department of Community Affairs and Outreach Programs and Open Door Repertory Company are proud to present Crowns, the moving and joyful musical play that celebrates the faith and strength of African-American women.

Crowns will be performed at Hermann Hall Auditorium on the IIT campus, 3241 S. Federal in Chicago, for four shows only February 22nd through February 24th.

As written by Regina Taylor, adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, the hats in Crowns become springboards for an exploration of black history and identity as seen through the eyes of a young black woman sent down South from Brooklyn to stay with her grandmother. There is a hat for every occasion from flirting to churchgoing, from baptisms to funerals. And the tradition of hats is traced back to African rituals and slavery and moved forward to the New Testament and current fashion.

Directed by award-winning playwright McKinley Johnson, Open Door's beautiful production of Crowns was nominated for six Black Theatre Alliance awards. Sold-out houses gave standing ovations at every performance. Most of Open Door's original cast returns for this great revival.

This production of Crowns is sponsored in part by National City Bank and Siemens Corporation.

Performance Dates and Times

Friday, February 22, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 5 p.m.

To order Tickets

Call (708) 802-1723
or visit Open Door Repertory's website, www.opendoorrep.org