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Born to Sing Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karen Muntu
347-275-9685
August 10, 2009

THE HARLEM ENSEMBLE COMPANY
DEBUTS “BORN TO SING”

NEW YORK, NY-- On Saturday, August 29th, 2009, The Harlem Ensemble Company (HEC) will premiere an original musical production, Born to Sing, at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space.

Born to Sing ponders death, the after-life and the notion of continuing to love life after losing the most important person in the world: Your mother. It explores the idea that our loved ones continue to live and speak to us in the subconscious, and that a relationship with a loved one can sustain if you listen to your dreams, providing abundant lessons and enormous comfort.

Born to Sing was written by Evelyn Collins. Her last production was the Tony award-winning musical Raisin. The production marked the 35th anniversary of the production and was the first time the musical was presented since its Broadway debut. The production was notably attended by original Broadway cast members Joe Morton and Ernestine Jackson, and Raisin’s composer, Judd Woldin, all of whom later joined the cast and director onstage for its curtain call.

“This is a topic that hasn’t been explored in the theatre until now,” says Collins. “The death of one’s mother probably is the singular most earth-shattering experience of our lives, yet we rarely want to discuss it. The play offers a fresh perspective and hope on how to deal with death—that it is not necessarily final.”

Born to Sing features Nadia Chanoine, Markita Prescott, Terri Cann, Shakinah Montoute, *Carlton Terrance Taylor, and *Charles Browning. The musical is produced and directed by Evelyn Collins and music directed by Gregg Payne. Performances are at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25, and are available at the box office or www.symphonyspace.org. (*Actor’s Equity)
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Evelyn Collins has been involved in theatre most of her life. She has directed more than 50 theatrical productions in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and New York. Her audiences have labeled her “New York City’s undiscovered gem.” In 2005, the Professional League of Theatre Women presented her with its first-annual Josephine Abady Award for her work with the Harlem Ensemble Company. Presently, Evelyn is entering her fourth year as principal of the Manhattan Theatre Lab High School – a high school for the performing arts located in the Lincoln Center community.

The Harlem Ensemble Company was founded in 2002 as a not-for-profit theatre company. It made its New York City debut in 2002, with the award winning drama The First Breeze of Summer by Leslie Lee.

The Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space is located 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. For more information call 212-864-5400.

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Behind the scenes of Born to Sing the Musical

Pictures of behind the scenes and preparation for the show.

Born to Sing Update

HARLEM ENSEMBLE COMPANY presents BORN TO SING the stage musical Book, Lyrics, and Directed by Evelyn Collins Music and Music Directed by Gregg Payne Two performances only! August 29th @ 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM Tickets $25.00 www.symphonyspace.org Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space 95th Street and Broadway NYC join us on FACEBOOK for more updates, photos, and blogging...Born to Sing Coming soon - our website www.borntosingthemusical.com www.HarlemEnsembleCompany.org

Born to Sing the Musical

Born to Sing: an original stage musical in concert

Directed by Evelyn Collins
Music by Greg Panye

theatre
Sat, Aug 29 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Leonard Nimoy Thalia
$25

Location:
Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025-6990
Tel: 212.864.5400 | Fax: 212.932.3228 |

Born to Sing The Musical on Facebook

Born to Sing tells the story of Ella Jackson, a fourteen-year teen who has lost her mother. She later finds strength in the company of a stranger who later emerges to be her guardian angel.

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