ST. LOUIS, MO -The upcoming original play "Eye On The Sparrow: The World Within St. Louis" explores the "human sparrows" among us, the many extraordinary yet ordinary people who enrich our lives, according to producer Cecilia Nadal of Gitana Productions. "Eye On The Sparrow" is the third original play presented by Gitana Productions, a St. Louis not-for-profit arts and education group that nurtures global healing through music, dance and drama.
The play "Eye On The Sparrow" by award-winning playwright Lee Patton Chiles is based on the actual stories of several St. Louisans from diverse backgrounds and takes place in the setting of a Metro bus. The play will be presented from May 21 thru June 6, 2010 at the St. Louis University Theatre at Xavier Hall, 3733 West Pine Mall. Performances are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15; seniors (65+) and students $12.
"Our neighborhoods are filled with sparrows, so common that we hardly notice them," said Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions. "St. Louis also is full of human ‘sparrows?- ordinary people who are hardly noticed but who meet the challenges of life with dignity, humor and fierce courage."
"Eye On The Sparrow" follows the daily travels of Harper, a woman who falls from the grace of a good job, marriage and home to become one among the sparrows. Set within the St. Louis public transportation system, Harper’s life becomes intertwined with the lives of the heroic ordinary people she meets on the bus. Through their everyday struggles, fights and kindnesses, these urban philosophers teach Harper how to begin her life anew.
Special guests in the performance include the vibrant St. Louis gospel singer Sister Ruth Ann Latchison-Nichols and RAVEN WOLF C. FELTON JENNINGS II, a healing sound recording artist with Pug Dog Records who performs spiritual jazz in the St. Louis tradition.
Sister Ruth Ann Latchison-Nichols is well known not only for her world-class voice but also for her amazing inner strength and inspiration to others, having experienced tragedy in her own life. After being attacked by a gang at 15, she was told she would never have a child and was a drug addict for years. She eventually went cold turkey and later had a daughter. But two years ago, her 11-year-old daughter Esther Ruth was killed by a drunken driver. Ruth is now dedicated to providing her ministry to youth and to others experiencing tragedy and pain.
RAVEN WOLF C. FELTON JENNINGS II performs solo jazz, drums, Native American flute and his Magical Mystical Meditation Concerts and Healing Drum Spiriting Concerts throughout the Midwest. He has been performing for more than 17 years and is often seen playing saxophone on Delmar in the University City Loop and at the Historic Soulard Farmer’s Market.
For tickets and special group rates, call (314) 721-6556 or email gitana@stlouis.missouri.org. Tickets also are available at Cafe Natasha, 3200 S. Grand; Screenz, 6680 Delmar; Macro Sun, 1310 Washington or 6273 Delmar; and the Living Insights Center, 6361 Clayton Rd.
Gitana Productions has been nominated for six Kevin Kline Awards for their first two original plays, "Complacency of Silence: Darfur" in 2008 and "My Heart is Always Shaking" in 2009.
Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration by bringing international music, dance, and drama to the St. Louis community. Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556. |
