The Piano Lesson


	Who's Who... The cast of our 2008 Production of THE PIANO LESSON

	Murrell Andres (Grace) is making her debut performance on the Civic stage. She was quite active in high school jazz and marching bands, and performed as a member of the ensemble in Once on This Island. Andres started undergrad studies in Music Business Management at Columbia in Chicago, and will continue her education at GVSU this coming Fall in Business & Finance. She plans to stay active in the arts and will welcome involvement in any capacity. “My life is my stage, and I am always performing; living each day as though it’s the last, and treasuring each moment.”

	Sherri L. Evans (Berniece) was last seen on the Civic Theatre stage in You Can’t Take it With You. Sherri was a student of the Civic School of Theatre Arts. She has appeared in several independent film productions with KTF Productions, the most recent being Chronicles, and was cast in Twelve Angry Women as the Foreman with the Black Arts and Cultural Center. “I’m excited to be back at the Civic and would like to thank the Lord for giving me the drive and opportunity to do this again, and my friends and family for their prayers and support. It’s a pleasure working with GRCT again.”

	Kevin “Kaypee” Porter (Lymon) has appeared in Kalamazoo Civic Theatre productions of onvergence, Wine in the Wilderness and The Meeting. Kevin dedicates his performance to his family, friends and fellow cast members – “What we see in others is what we see in ourselves.”

	Sam Prince (Wining Boy) first performed for Civic as Lyons Maxson in Fences. With majors in English and Theatre at the University of Michigan, his credits include: Aladdin (Central New Jersey’s Children’s theatre), A Few Good Men (South Jersey Civic Theatre), Wine in the Wilderness (Kalamazoo Civic Black Theatre), and Run for Your Wife (Holland Civic) among others. Sam is a mortgage advisor for PHH Mortgage and assists with the Partners for a Racism-Free Community. He dedicates this performance to his wife, Melissa, and his children, Hannah & Cooper, who he really misses on rehearsal nights.

	Michael P. Travis ( Doaker) last appeared on the Civic stage as Curtis in this season’s opening musical, Dreamgirls. Past credits at GRCT include, Fences, Ragtime (Grand Award nomination), and as the Voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. He has appeared on virtually every stage in Grand Rapids, among his favorites are plays by August Wilson: Fences (GRCT, Robeson Players and Centre Stage), and The Piano Lesson (Calvin College and Circle Theatre). While implementing theatre troupes at Aquinas and Calvin Colleges for multi-cultural students, Michael directed Long Time Since Yesterday (Aquinas), The Colored Museum (Aquinas), Colored People’s Time (Aquinas & Calvin), Tambourines to Glory (Aquinas), and Fires in the Mirror (Calvin). Michael dedicates this performance to his family and mother who passed into eternity on March 15th.

	Eboni White (Maretha) is returning to the GRCT stage having recently appeared in The Miracle Worker, and previously in our 2006 production of Fences. Eboni is currently in the 7th grade at Northern Hills Middle School. She is a member of this season’s GRCT Traveling Troupe, and has been a member of Peanut Butter Players, which performed The Queen’s Twinkies and Pirates of the Playground. Eboni has also been in Humpty Dumpty at Lowell Community Theatre and she was the main character in her school’s play, Sudako and the Cranes.

	James White (Avery) is performing on stage for the very first time in this production. Although he is new to acting, he is not unfamiliar around the Civic Theatre. His daughter, Eboni, has performed in several GRCT productions, and as a parent he’s become quite familiar with the theatre. James ventured out of his comfort zone to audition for this show at his daugher’s urging, so they could perform together. As a parent trying to lead by example, he dedicates this performance to Eboni.

	Armon York Williams (Boy Willie) has been acting for over 20 years, although this is his first major role at Civic Theatre. His past performances at GRCT include, The Wizard of Oz, and last season’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Armon has one daughter, Khorissa. He credits his inspiration as an actor to his mother, Vernynca C. Williams, for her exemplary artistic abilities as playwright, musician, vocalist; and his brother, Anson J.D. Banks. Armon dedicates his performance to the 40th anniversary of the legacy of Dr. Martin King, Jr. “Acting is therapy for the soul.”