Theater News

Frenchie Davis to Star in Hartford Stage’s Mahalia

Frenchie Davis
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Frenchie Davis
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

Frenchie Davis will star as gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in Jeremy B. Cohen’s production of Tom Stolz’s Mahalia — A Gospel Musical, to run at Hartford Stage, August 2-19. The show will also star Miche Braden and J. Michael.

Davis first gained fame when appearing on the FOX TV series American Idol; her stage credits include Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, and Dreamgirls.

As previously reported, Hartford Stage’s 2007-2008 season will begin with a new production of Eve Ensler’s The Good Body, directed by Tracy Brigdon (July 10-29). Also on tap for this year is a new production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town starring Hal Holbrook and directed by Gregory Boyd (August 30-September 30).

In 2008, Tony Award winner Elizabeth Ashley will star in Jeremy Sams’ Zerline’s Tale, directed by Michael Wilson (January 10-February 10); the play is adapted from Hermann Broch’s novel The Guiltless, about a maid in an aristocratic household who weaves a captivating, confessional tale for an unsuspecting tenant.

The season continues with Lydia Diamond’s adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye (February 21-March 23), in a co-production with New Haven’s Long Wharf Theatre. That show will be followed by Theresa Rebeck’s The Scene, directed by Cohen (April 3-May 4). Concluding the season will be Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis in Tennessee Williams’ The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore, directed by Wilson (May 15-June 15).

For more information, visit www.hartfordstage.org.

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