Full Cast Announced for LA Theatre Works’ Ceremonies in Dark Old Men

Full casting has been announced for LA Theatre Works’ presentation of The Negro Ensemble Company’s production of Lonne Elder III’s Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, to be presented at the Skirball Cultural Center, January 13-18. The readings will be recorded for future broadcast on the nationally-syndicated radio theater series, The Play’s The Thing. Judyann Elder will direct.

The play, about a Harlem family that dreams of a better life they end up pursuing in tragic ways, was one of the most meaningful theatrical events of the late sixties and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

The cast will include Rocky Carroll, John Cothran, Jr., Brandon Dirden, Jason Dirden, Julia Pace Mitchell, Charlie Robinson, Glynn Turman, and Michole Briana White. Turman’s role of Russell Parker will be played by Cothran on the January 18 performance, as Turman has been invited by Barack Obama to attend the inauguration. The previously scheduled performance on January 17 has been cancelled, and an additional performance added for Tuesday, January 13 at 8 pm.

Carroll received a Tony nomination for The Piano Lesson. Cothran’s numerous film and TV credits include Black Snake Moan, Close to Home, and Shark. Turman won an Emmy Award for In Treatment and is known for his role as former mayor Clarence V. Royce in The Wire.

For more information, visit www.latw.org.