San Diego Artist Karole Foreman Returns to Cygnet as Jazz Icon Billie Holiday.
Performances run January 24 – February 18, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA – Cygnet Theatre is pleased to announce the cast and creative team of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill by Lanie Robertson. This riveting one-act musical is directed by Wren T. Brown, the Artistic Director at Ebony Repertory Theatre. It runs January 24 – February 18 at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. Opening Night for media is Saturday, January 27 at 7:00 PM. Tickets and information are available at CygnetTheatre.com.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill recounts Billie Holiday’s life story through the songs that made her famous. 1959, in a small, intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday puts on a show that unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witnesses to one of the last performances of her lifetime. Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all-time shares her loves and her losses.
Playing the jazz icon is San Diego native Karole Foreman, who has graced the Cygnet stage in A Little Night Music and Stupid F**king Bird. She said “I am looking forward to coming home to San Diego and to Cygnet Theatre to perform Lady Day. It’s been a profound opportunity to share Billie Holiday’s story with so many audiences, but I am particularly excited to be here in my hometown with this production. I also feel honored to be able to be a part of Cygnet’s final season in Old Town. It feels like a full circle moment.”
Artistic Director Sean Murray was thrilled to be able to include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill in the Season 20 lineup. He said, “I’ve been dreaming of bringing Karole’s performance as the jazz legend Billie Holiday to our audience and to San Diego for some time. She has dazzled in this role since she debuted it in Los Angeles, and subsequently throughout the country for a couple of years now. Karole is one of Cygnet’s favorite performers and we are thrilled to share her take on Billie with San Diego.”
Karole will be accompanied by Damon Carter on piano as Jimmy Powers. Carter is also the musical director for the show.
In addition to direction by Wren T. Brown, the creative team for Cygnet’s production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill includes original scenic design by Edward E. Haynes Jr., with Mathys Herbert as associate scenic designer. Sound design is by Evan Eason, lighting design by Donna Ruzika, costume design by Kimberly DeShazo, wig and makeup design by Peter Herman, and stage management by Craig Campbell.
Tickets for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill are on sale now and may be purchased in person at the box office located at 4040 Twiggs Street in San Diego Old Town Historic State Park, by calling 619-337-1525, or by visiting cygnettheatre.com. Regular ticket prices start at $39.
Cygnet Theatre Company produces a year-round season of professional Off-Broadway-style theatre as well as thought-provoking and engaging educational programming. Cygnet is committed to maintaining high standards of artistic and fiscal integrity, and serves more than 40,000 patrons annually from San Diego and beyond. Cygnet performs its mainstage productions at the state-of-the-art theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. An active member of the San Diego community, Cygnet has outreach programs serving tens of thousands of students and community members annually. For more information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill Fact Sheet
WHAT:
Cygnet Theatre presents Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill by Lanie Robertson
WHERE:
Cygnet Theatre
4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
WHO:
Director: Wren Brown
Music Director: Damon Carter
Original Scenic Design: Edward E. Haynes Jr.
Associate Scenic Designer: Mathys Herbert
Sound Designer: Evan Eason
Costume Designer: Kimberly DeShazo
Lighting Designer: Donna Ruzika
Wig and Makeup Designer: Peter Herman°
Stage Manager: Craig Campbell*°
CAST:
Karole Foreman: Billie Holiday*
Damon Carter: Jimmy Powers
*Member of Actors Equity Association, °Resident Artist
DATES:
Previews begin: Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 PM
Press Opening: Saturday, January 27, 7:00 PM
Closes: Sunday, February 18, 2:00 PM
Showtimes:
Wednesday – Saturday at 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM
PRICE:
Prices start at $39 with discounts for preview performances, student and military.
HOW:
Phone: (619) 337-1525
Online: www.cygnettheatre.com
In Person: Cygnet Theatre – 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego, CA 92110