THREE DIVAS – BESSIE, BILLIE, and RUTH May 1, 2009

Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ruth Brown on Stage Together?
Based on the idea by Sweet Baby J’ai, this exciting cabaret style production takes center stage at the Kaufman Theatre (Chrysler Museum), Featuring the talents of Jackie Murphy as Bessie Smith, Dawn Beard as Ruth Brown, and Erika Grandison as Billie Holiday. These three power houses will take you on a journey into the lives and music of, as the show is titled “THREE DIVAS – Bessie, Billie, and Ruth.” It’s not just a great evening of “Blues,” but a telling of little known facts into the lives of these icons. Then the fantasy of – What would happen if they got together to entertain you? Well you won’t know unless you are there.
Among the hundreds of women who make up and continue to define the history of American music are three consummate entertainers, creators, educators, writers and pioneers; Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ruth Brown.
In this "herstory" lesson, Edutainment Productions Inc., celebrates these strong women artists who have contributed through their works, to the breaking of taboos and the advancement of women in society.

Bessie Smith was a rough, crude, violent woman. She was also the greatest of the classic Blues singers of the 1920s. Then there was Billie Holiday, she was one of the first and greatest of American jazz singers, known in equal parts for her unique and laconic timing, her wistful and brassy vocals, and her troubled personal life. Finally, they called Atlantic Records "the house that Ruth built" during the 1950s, and they weren't referring to the Sultan of Swat. Ruth Brown’s regal hit-making reign from 1949 to the close of the '50s helped tremendously to establish the New York label's predominance in the R&B field. Three Divas - Bessie, Billie & Ruth, is a production that celebrate the lives of these women, capturing the spirit and skill for survival they possessed.

THREE DIVAS – BESSIE, BILLIE, and RUTH
Opening May 1-3, 2009, at the Kaufman Theatre (Chrysler Museum) 245, W. Olney Rd. (Downtown Norfolk) for four performances. Directed and staged by HERB A. WILLIAMS, with Musical Direction by
KASEY SQUARE.

Presented by Edutainment Productions Inc., Three Divas – Bessie, Billie, and Ruth begins a series of New York style Cabaret performances that will feature some of Hampton Roads finest talent.
WHEN: WHERE:
OPENING Kaufman Theatre (Chrysler Museum)
Friday, May 1, 7:30PM 245 W. Olney Road (downtown Norfolk) Norfolk, VA
TIME: PRODUCTION RUN:
7:30 PM Friday – Saturday May 1–3, 2009
3:00 PM Saturday
3:00 PM Sunday TICKETS
$20 - $30
Tickets Available at all Ticket Web and Ticket Master Locations.
Call (757) 748-8434 or (757) 572-7518 for more information
Production Presented by Edutainment Productions Inc., a not for profit organization.