'DA PLANS FOR HOUSTON:

TUESDAY, APRIL 27 - 'DA SHOW OPENS IN JONES HALL AT 8:00PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 - 'DA COMPANY JOINS FORCES WITH THE BLACK THEATRE COLLECTIVE FOR A CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN THEATRE FROM 10:OO A.M. - 4:00 P.M. AT THE MIDTOWN ARTS CENTER

The Black Theatre Collective (BTC), a non-profit organization consisting of Houston's Black Theatre institutions and professionals will join forces with the NOISE/FUNK company for a celebration of African-American theatre. The event will be held in the Renaissance Performing Arts Center at Midtown Arts Center (3414 LaBranch at Holman, Houston) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL (713) 695-7469.

The program is scheduled as follows:

10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sign in and continental breakfast
10:30 a-m.-12:00 noon Welcome by Elaine Wolfe (Houston resident/ Noise-Funk Creakor and Director, George Wolfe's sister), Mini lecture by Dr. Ted Shine (co-editor of Black Theatre, USA) about Black Theaue History and the place of NOISE / FUNK and Houston's Black Theatre scene in the African Theatre continuum; combined panel of NOISE / FUNK company and BTC
regarding the state of Black Theatre, locally, regionally and nationally.

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m. Brown bag lunch with the NOISEIFUNK company
12:45 p.m.-1:50 p.m. Bucket Drumming Workshop and Acting Workshop. Acting and Drumming Classes are "FREE"
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Master Class in Tap; The Music of NOISE / FUNK. Tap Classes are $10.00
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Closing session - Q&A with cast followed by excerpts from the show
(Drumming Too Deep and Hittin-) Please call 713-695-7469, ext. 5 to RSVP or sign up for Classes

Debra Byrd as 'Da Singer, performs "Who's Got The Beat?" in BRING IN DA NOISE, BRING IN DA FUNK - The Winner of four 1996 Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography, the National Tour is in Houston for a Limited Premiere Engagement at the Jones Hall, April 27 - May 2 as part of the MC Broadway Series. Tickets on Sale Now: Call 713-629-3700. Photo by Michal Daniel


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 - DEBRA BYRD ('da Singer) WILL PERFORM NATIONAL
ANTHEM AS THE ASTROS TAKE ON ARIZONA / GAME 7:05 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 30 - NOISE / FUNK COMPANY MEMBERS PRESENT A SPECIAL MINI- PERFORMANCE TO THE CHILDREN OF FLEMMING MIDDLIE SCHOOL FROM 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. (4910 Collingsworth, Houston)

SATURDAY, MAY 1 - THEATREGOERS TO THE 2:00 P.M. MATINEE WILL BE INVITED TO STAY FOR AN OPEN Q & A SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE

'DA SHOW NOISE / FUNK is the groundbreaking ensemble musical based on an idea by
Savion Glover and George C. Wolfe. Conceived and directed by Mr. Wolfe, and choreographed by Mr. Glover, NOISE / FUNK utilizes the rhythms and energies of tap to celebrate the history of the beat by presenting text and songs which are comprised of Mr. Glover's tap; poetry by Reg E. Gaines; and music by Zane Mark, Daryl Waters and Ann Duquesnay. Derick K. Grant,
a member of the world premier production at The Public Theatre, recreates Glover's choreography for the tour.


17 year old Dominique Kelley performs "The Lynching Blues" in BRING IN DA NOISE, BRING IN DA FUNK Photo by Michal Daniel



'DA TICKETS-
Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster ticket centers including Foley's and Kroger. To charge by phone, call 713-629-3700. Paformance times- Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 p.m, Saturday - Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.,with a specially priced $15.00 matinee on Thursday, April 29 at 1:00 pm.



Jimmy Tate performs as 'Da Beat in BRING IN DA NOISE, BRING IN DA FUNK Photo by Michal Daniel