New Horizon Theater is bringing back one of its most popular productions—“Get Ready.”
The play, penned by Jaye and Debi Stewart and Joe Plummer, tells the reunion story of the Doves, a ’60s R&B group that had rock star success years ago and is ready for a comeback. The sextet, separated by distance, time and new interests, now prepare themselves for a comeback.
However, they are not prepared to relive the racism and inadequate compensation they endured years before.
New Horizon presented the play to critical acclaim in 2002. Audiences kept asking for its return. Now it’s back.
“We’re excited to be doing this again,” said New Horizon Theater chairperson, Joyce Meggerson-Moore. “I knew this was something we had to do because people were asking for it.”
Back in 2002 the production was performed at New Horizon’s former space (across the street from its current venue), East Liberty Lutheran Church on Penn Avenue. Although the characters sang live during the first production, the music was taped and the show was performed on a smaller stage.
This time around, Moore promises audiences just that: more.
“We’ll have more technical capabilities in this play and there will be a keyboard player playing behind the singing cast. We’ll also be running more matinees to coincide with all the performances that people are asking for,” Moore said.
Despite the technical changes, some of former Doves have decided to reprise their roles. They include Kevin Brown, Keith Brown, Charles Timbers, Tyrone Johnson and Benjamin Blakey. Art Terry will also reprise his role as studio owner, Knobby Coles.
Eileen Morris has also returned to direct the production.
“I’ve directed the play several times and the reason is because it’s fun and it’s entertaining and it’s musical and music feeds the soul,” said Morris, who previously worked as managing director of Kuntu Repertory Theater. “It’s about a rhythm and blues group that’s coming back after many years. Some things have changed and some things have remained the same but what binds them is the music and the songs.
“Audiences can expect to listen to great music and realize that theater does reflect life. Some of the things they went through as a group like dealing with relationships and racism as a group are the same things that individuals deal with everyday,” Morris said.
(“Get Ready” runs from May 10-25 at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave. East Liberty. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors ages 65 and up and students with I.D. For more information, call 412-431-0773 or visit www.newhorizontheater@yahoo.com.)
