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'A Raisin in the Sun' now showing at AASU
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SAVANNAH--Recognized as one of the first published and stage-produced realistic portraits of African-American life, Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking drama, "A Raisin in the Sun," won vast critical acclaim for its 1959 original Broadway production starring Sydney Poitier.

To commemorate the golden anniversary of this landmark stage play, the Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of Art, Music and Theatre Masquers theatre troupe culminates its return season to Jenkins Hall with six public performances of the New York Drama Critics' Circle 1959 Award Winner for Best American Play of the Year opening April 30.

Performances: Evening performances of "A Raisin in the Sun" are April 30, May 1-2 and 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. The troupe presents one matinée performance on May 3 at 3 p.m.

In this largely autobiographical sketch, Hansberry provides us a snapshot of the constraints common to all impoverished and under served, and she credibly depicts for us an extraordinary range of conflicting emotions held by a family whose members expressively value love, trust, truthfulness, and against all odds, ambitious pursuit of the American dream.

AASU faculty member, director Elizabeth Desnoyers-Colas, Ph.D., (For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When A Rainbow Is Enuf, April 2008) has assembled a stellar cast mixed with polished Masquers veterans and talented Jenkins newcomers. Colas' vision echoes Hansberry's intrepid voice-for-the-powerless that underscored tensions associated with the otherwise ignored disparate socioeconomic realities of American life during the 1950's and 60's.

Jenkins Hall Theater, located on the AASU campus (11935 Abercorn St.), has served as the home for the Masquers, AASU's student theatre troupe, for more than 40 years until last season during which the Masquers performed in various venues on campus while Jenkins Hall was amidst a multi-million dollar comprehensive renovation project funded by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. In November 2008, the Masquers christened the refurbished facility with a smash hit production of Gershwin's musical comedy "Crazy For You" and in February 2009 the troupe performed "The Full Monty" to sold-out houses over two weekends. In addition to the main stage proscenium theater, renovated Jenkins Hall now houses a black box theater and camera studio, all equipped with state of the art lighting and sound equipment. Parking is convenient, and the building is wheelchair accessible.

The Masquers theatre troupe is one of Armstrong Atlantic's oldest student organizations with its roots dating to 1937, only two years after the founding of then Armstrong Junior College. According to Peter Mellen, the director of the Masquers who has grown the program to establish and maintain a regular schedule of more than 12 student stage productions annually, "we are the most prolific college theatre program in Georgia, a resource that translates to an abundance of quality opportunities for all AASU theatre majors to build significant resumes and portfolios."


Tickets: For advance tickets, 1) visit www.finearts.armstrong.edu/ticketsales.html to secure tickets online with Visa and Master Card (per-ticket surcharge for this option); 2) call 344-2801 weekdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to purchase tickets with Visa or Mastercard; 3) visit the AASU Fine Arts Lobby Box office weekdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to purchase tickets by cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard; or 4) mail payment (check payable to AASU Department of Art, Music and Theatre) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope, including a note indicating which production/date of performance and number of tickets at each price level, to: "A Raisin in the Sun" Tickets; AASU AMT; 11935 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31419-1997.

"A Raisin in the Sun" general admission tickets are only $10. Senior citizens, military personnel, and students/children may purchase tickets for only $8 each. AASU faculty, staff and student admission is free upon presentation of valid AASU Pirates Card. Please make checks payable to AASU Department of Art, Music & Theatre. Call 344-2801 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., weekdays, for additional ticketing information. Remaining tickets are available for purchase at Jenkins Hall one hour before each performance.

Sponsored by AASU Student Government Association and print media partner, Connect Savannah.

 


Savannah, Richmond Hill, Tybee ready for July 4 celebrations
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The Savannah Waterfront Association will hold its annual 4th of July celebration, including fireworks, Monday on River Street from 4-10 p.m.

VIP seating for viewing fireworks will be available for active and retired military and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Hypnotics will perform from 8-10 p.m., including a patriotic set during the fireworks to complement the show.

The fireworks sponsored at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to park off of River Street since the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department will close the street from 6 p.m.-3 a.m.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police are gearing up for this weekend’s July 4th and First Friday festivities; and ask the public to be mindful of traffic conditions in the Downtown area.

In anticipation of potential road delays, Metro will increase traffic and foot patrols in the Downtown festival area, starting Friday afternoon. Officers also will patrol Hutchinson Island in greater force to assist with traffic flow, prevent bottle-necking and help move motorists safely. To ensure safety and help minimize delays, motorists are asked to be vigilant, patient and co-operative.

Public parking lots on River Street will close on Monday at about 3 a.m. until early Tuesday afternoon. River Street will close to vehicular traffic Monday at 3 p.m. and will reopen early Tuesday morning.

All traffic and parking laws will be enforced on in Downtown Savannah and Hutchinson Island. Vehicles parked in the roadway, or in a manner that obstructs traffic will be towed at the owner’s expense. Please note that parking vehicles on the Truman Parkway and Talmadge Bridge also is dangerous and illegal.

Interstate 16 will be available to drivers leaving the firework show. To leave Downtown, traffic originating from points beyond Bay Street will be directed away from Martin Luther King Boulevard to other routes, such as Whitaker and West Bay streets. Westbound traffic on Bay Street will be directed to East Lathrop Avenue to access I-16 via Louisville Road.

Police recommend use of city parking garages, where drivers will be given maps for the easiest Downtown exit routes following the firework display. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, expect delays and heed posted signage. The key components of the traffic plan include:

Prohibiting traffic from turning southbound onto Whitaker from Bay. Westbound traffic on Bay Street will be directed to alternate routes to I-16 through East Lathrop and Louisville Road, or through Garden City.

Parking garage traffic will be routed southbound on MLK, Whitaker and Price streets.

Alternate routes to I-16 are West Gwinnett and 37th streets. Price Street also can be used to get to 37th Street, which will take traffic to westbound I-16.

Additional signage will be deployed to assist drivers in locating the alternative routes to I-16.

Traffic may be heavy along Highway 80 for those leaving Tybee Island’s fireworks display. There is a slight potential for shallow coastal flooding due to King Tides July 4.  At this time, this flooding is not expected to close Highway 80. Remember if there is shallow coastal flooding:

Traffic headed toward Wilmington Island via President Street should flow as usual.

Also please remember that the city curfew law remains in effect for this event.  All persons 16 years of age and under must be off the streets at 11 p.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Officers will be enforcing this ordinance.

As always you can stay up to date with the latest on the Festival, road closures and other related updates by following the Twitter feed @SCMPD, Facebook or www.scmpd.org.

Richmond Hill will host 4th of July events Saturday, starting with Star Spangled Cars and Coffee from 9-11 a.m. Car owners can bring in a car and interact with other automobile enthusiasts. Visitors can bring the family to view the cars and tour the Richmond Hill History Museum, formerly the Henry Ford Kindergarten. Admission to the event is free and coffee can be purchased for 25 cents with a $1 donation to the museum. This event will take place at the Richmond Hill History Museum located at 11460 Ford Ave. 

Fort McAllister will hold its 4th of July celebration Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with living history programs including demonstrations of Civil War drills and rifle and cannon firings. Visitors can participate in old fashioned games including sack races, an egg toss, wheel barrow races and a Civil War-era baseball game. Fresh watermelon will be available.  Admission for this event is $8 per adult (18+), $5 per Youth (6-17), under 6 are free. For more information, call (912) 727-2339.

Richmond Hill will kick off its annual Red, White, and Blue Independence Day Celebration at J. F. Gregory Park located at 521 Cedar St. For more information, visit www.richmondhill-ga.gov or call (912) 756-3345.

Tybee Island changed the date of their annual  fireworks from Sunday, July 3 to Monday, July 4. The Independence Day celebration will held be at the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion with a fireworks extravaganza. It will be held from 9:30-10 p.m.