Black Arts MKE Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant for New Musical Featuring Tony Award Nominee Felicia P. Fields

Milwaukee, WI (Wednesday, January 15, 2020) – Black Arts MKE has been approved for a $10,000 Challenge America grant to support its annual spring new musical production of “Love & Southern D!scomfort” featuring Tony Award Nominee Felicia P. Fields in association with Patton Daye Slater Productions.

Overall, the National Endowment for the Arts has approved 1,187 grants totaling $27.3 million in the first round of fiscal year 2020 funding to support arts projects across the country.  Black Arts MKE is one of 145 Challenge American grants included in this announcement.

“Through the philanthropic leadership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Black Arts MKE is able to provide high quality performances that enlighten and promote African American heritage,” said Black Arts MKE Board Chair Cory Nettles. “We are proud to partner with the NEA for our third annual spring production that will inspire pride, empower, and provide theatrical opportunities for local professional and emerging artists of color.”

Music, mystery, and good old-fashioned family drama collide on May 6^th through Mother’s Day, May 10^th at the Marcus Center’s Wilson Theater. “Love and Southern D!scomfort blends the lush backdrop of rural Louisiana with unbridled jealousy, joy and pain as it weaves a gripping tale about a dysfunctional old-money family torn apart by money, addiction, and the revelation of a long buried secret,” says Monica Patton, Co-Playwright and Director.  “We did not want to simply write a musical, but instead craft an engaging, real life, cinematic experience that keeps theater goers heavily invested in the characters and their exploits.”

Tickets range from $35 to $53.  Love and Southern D!scomfort goes on sale January 24.  Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, by phone at 414-273-7206 or online at marcuscenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups of 10 or more should call Group Sales at 414-273-7121, x210 or x213. For more information, visit MarcusCenter.org.

About Black Arts MKE

Black Arts MKE’s mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts.  Each year, we collaborate with over 100 local artists and arts organizations to bring to our community renowned and original performance arts works by African American authors, playwrights, poets, musicians, and composers.  Our arts education and community outreach programs serve over 15,000 at-risk youth and their families including our new Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp.  Black Arts MKE’s annual signature performance – Black Nativity by Langston Hughes is a new holiday musical favorite in Milwaukee featuring an all-black, all local cast.  Black Arts MKE is a proud Affiliate Member of United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) and Resident Group at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  Black Arts MKE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

About Patton Daye Slater Productions

Patton Daye Slater Productions LLC was founded by Monica Patton, Robert ‘Bobby’ Daye and Adam Slater.  PDSP is dedicated to the development of diverse commercial theatre.  Monica and Bobby are Broadway/National Tour veterans.  Monica is currently in her seventh year touring The Book of Mormon. Her Broadway credits include Finian’s Rainbow, Abby’s Song, and Ragtime. Her National Tour Credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Lion King and Annie 30^th Anniversary tour.  Bobby is currently touring with Disney’s Aladdin.  His Broadway credits include Shrek the Musical, The Color Purple, The Lion King, Smokey Joe’s Café, Dreamgirls, The Wiz, and The Book of Mormon.  To learn more visit www.pdsproductions.net.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.