Terri Lyne Carrington

Reggie Thomas with

Terri Lyne Carrington

Southwestern Illinois College Jazz Festival

Bellville Campus

Open to Public

Saturday, February 23rd @ 7:30 pm

Mama

By Terry McMillan

February 20-24, 2008

Wed. - Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Sat/Sun. at 3:00 p.m.

Des Lee Auditorium at Missouri History Museum

Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park

Tickets: $12. - $18

(Senior and Student Rates Available with ID)

The History Museum Box Office (314) 361-9017

Metro-Tix Outlets (314) 534-1111 - Afro World, Inc. (314) 389-5194

Reservations and Group Sales call (314) 355-3586 or at (314) 361-9071

Due to the adult subject matter and strong language, this production is recommended for mature audiences

Co-hosted by the Missouri History Museum

Mardra Thomas

Members of the ensemble cast of MAMA reprising their original roles are Mardra Thomas (as Mildred), Thomasina Clarke (as Freda), Bonnie Harmon (as Curly Mae) and Karl Clark (as Money). The supporting cast will include the talents of Herman Gordon, Shelley Miller, Renee Matkins, Quintin Ray, Kine’ Brown, and Tameka Bradford.

This dramatic adaptation of the first novel, by prolific writer and widely acclaimed author, Terry McMillan, has been warmly received by avid McMillan fans, and received rave reviews as a highlight of the 2003 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, N. C". Ralph Greene, production director stated, "After one of the performances, I was approached by a patron who lives in the town (Point Haven, Michigan) that the novel is set in and the childhood home of Terry McMillan. She knew the woman on whom the main character (Mildred) was based. She stated that, "the energy of the ensemble and character portrayals realistically captured the personalities of the neighborhood. Mardra Thomas' appearance and portrayal of the main character was simply uncanny." After numerous requests and comments about Unity Theatre Ensemble's adaptation of the novel, Greene decided to include an encore for the 2008 Season. MAMA is a story of survival against tremendous odds...of joblessness, hunger, and the care of five growing children by a single mother...It's a story about a black mother's choices and the consequences of those choices made in order to keep her family together...about women and men... about accepting responsibility, dealing with what is and moving forward," said Greene.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

“Understatement is not Unity’s style, and the generous performances onstage in “Mama” create many emotionally dense moments.” -St. Louis Post Dispatch

“Mardra Thomas is gripping as Mildred, not a saint but a woman who sometimes does her best and sometimes doesn’t. Troubles with men, with money, with jobs and with drinking take their toll. Still, Mildred manages to hold on to a spirited, life-affirming attitude at all times but the very worst. There’s something admirable in that. Her scenes with her good-hearted sister-in-law (Bonnie Harmon) snap with the authenticity of overheard conversation.”- St. Louis Post Dispatch

“So many scenes in Unity Theatre Ensemble’s production of “Mama” are powerful or well-performed or

touching or disturbing,” - St. Louis Post Dispatch

Director Greene creates some amusing and moving vignettes from McMillian’s novel. - The Riverfront Times

“Mardra Thomas brings the character of Mama to full-blooded, fully rounded life. Especially fine are Thomas’scenes with Bonnie Harmon as her wise, patient, long-suffering sister-in-law, Harmon’s physical transformation after her character suffers a stroke is both virtuosic and touching..” -The Riverfront Times

Pianist Reggie Thomas

Special Performance

Spokane All City Jazz Band

Sunday February 10^th

Eastern Washington University

Cheney Washington

(509) 359-2241

CELEBRATE THE GOSPEL

CELEBRATE THE GOSPEL

This year the Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual gospel music celebration features Mardra Thomas in concert with her quartet in a musical tribute that celebrates The Good News in Song. You’ll hear the traditional songs of many famous singers such as Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar and other great gospel singers of the 20th century, along with refreshing versions of all time familiar favorites.

Sunday February 10^th

3pm

Missouri Botanical Garden

Shoenberg Theater, Ridgway Center

Mardra Thomas Vocals

Adaron Jackson Piano

John King Bass

Marty Morrison Drums

Anthony Wiggins Trumpet

Admission $2-$8

Included with Admission into Garden or Membership

Limited seating first-come, first-served - 400 seat theatre

Missouri Botanical Garden

4344 Shaw Boulevard

St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 577-5100 Automated Hotline: 1-800-642-8842

Jazz at the Bistro

3536 Washington St. Louis, MO 314 531-1012

Mardra & Reggie Thomas

3536 Washington
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314 3536 Washington
St. Louis, MO 63103

February 8th& 9^th

Friday & Saturday

2 Sets 8:30 & 10:15

Tickets $20/Students$10

Marty Morrison Drums

Nick Jost Bass

Mardra Thomas Vocals

Reggie Thomas Piano

Reggie Thomas’ OGD

Jazz Organ Trio

With special guest Mardra Thomas

Wednesday February 6^th 7:30 P.M

Foundry Arts Centre

520 North Main Street

St. Charles MO

636 255-0270 Tickets $15