For Immediate Release: October 3, 2006
Media Contact: Amy Watson Bish, Delaware Theatre Company, 302.594.1104 x244

Delaware Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere of the new musical Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul, conceived, written and directed by Kevin Ramsey. Proudly sponsored by Wilmington Trust, Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul starts previews Wednesday, December 6; opens Saturday, December 9; and runs through Sunday, December 24. Tickets are $28–$48 and may be purchased by calling the DTC box office at 302.594.1100 or in person at 200 Water Street, Wilmington. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.delawaretheatre.org.

A celebrated work about the legendary American musical genius, Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul is a provocative “play with music” by Broadway veteran Kevin Ramsey. The show delves into the life and musical accomplishments of Sam Cooke. Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul brings to life the spirit and talent of the legendary musical genius, leading audiences through the soul of Sam Cooke’s recordings, while recanting the tale of his tragically short life.

Born Sam Cook in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1931 (later adding the “e” as a note of sophistication), he was one of eight children of Reverend Charles Cook. The family moved to the south side of Chicago. Once there, Sam his other siblings began performing in the Reverend Cooke inspired family group, the Singing Children. As a teenager, he became a member of yet another gospel group, the Highway QCs, followed shortly thereafter by the renowned Soul Stirrers, where he rose to gospel stardom. Sam Cooke’s crossover into secular music was just as triumphant. Even with 29 melodies – “You Send Me,” “Wonderful World,” “Cupid,” “Chain Gang,” “Another Saturday Night,” “Twistin’ The Night Away,” “Having A Party,” and “A Change Is Gonna Come” to hit the Top 40 – Sam Cooke’s talent crescendoed from mainstream popularity into a movement of a greater scale. His astute business savvy was apparent in his accomplishment as owner of his own SAR’s record label, music publishing companies and his deal with RCA/Victor, which guaranteed him ownership of his publishing rights. In a time when black artists sought equality, and major black recording artists died penniless, Sam Cooke demanded respect, his rightful share, and ownership. Tragically, in a three-dollar motel on December 11th, 1964, at the age of 33, Sam Cooke was shot to death, never knowing how beloved he and his work would become and how his efforts had trial-blazed opportunities for the many who have followed in his footsteps.

Playwright/Director Kevin Ramsey is thrilled to return to DTC after choreographing Winter Wonderettes last season. Kevin served as the Co-Producer/Director/Writer on the award-winning short film Tap Rap, starring Savion Glover, as well as, directing/co-choreographing the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway R&B musical From My Hometown. His directorial and choreographic work has been presented at some of the nation’s most prominent regional theaters. Recent directorial and choreographic assignments were represented in the nation-wide television commercial spots for GM Pontiac’s “It's in the Blood” for Black History Month, and Prilosec’s “The Purple Pill.” He directed and co-authored the late great Harold Nicholas of Hollywood’s most legendary dance team, the Nicholas Brothers, If These Shoes Could Talk – A Tap Dance Tale. Recently he ventured into the music video world as director on the Hard Hittzas single “Die Hardcore.” Broadway credits include: Cy Coleman's The Life, Five Guys Named Moe, Oh, Kay, and Black and Blue. Film and television credits include: Trial By Jury, Night Falls on Manhattan, 24, Judging Amy , CSI: Miami, Charmed, and The Hughley's. A native of New Orleans and graduate of NYU/School of Arts, Mr. Ramsey has a slate of theater, film, and television projects in development.

Actor/singer Lawrence Stallings is making his DTC debut playing the legendary Mr. Cooke. Recently, Stallings performed the role of “Youth” in the Public Theater’s workshop presentation of Passing Strange, a co-production with Berkeley Rep. Other credits include: From My Hometown, Trippin’: The Musical, Death And The King’s Horsemen, Seven Guitars, Life Is A Dream, Sparkle: The Musical, Purlie Victorious and The Amen Corner. Television/film credits include: A Night in the Hill and A Royal Birthday on BET and BETJ. Stallings is a consummate singer/songwriter who has also performed internationally as a vocalist. Mr. Stallings is a native of Detroit, MI. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and holds an M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University.

The voice of The Radio, C.S. Treadway, was raised in St. Louis listening to artists as diverse as Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland to Donny Hathaway, Billy Paul and Sergio Mendez. His love of music found him in the field of radio early in his broadcasting career. While working radio he fell into doing character voices and producing radio commercials. C.S. has spent almost two decades in the field of broadcasting as a voice artist, news anchor and reporter. He also spent four years as a member of the University City Police Department in a suburb of St. Louis before pursuing his dream of being a broadcaster.

The production/design team for Sam Cooke - Forever Mr. Soul includes: Alva Nelson (Musical Director), Matthew Myhrum (Scenic/Projection Designer), Janus Stefanowicz (Costume Designer), Troy A. Martin-O’Shia (Lighting Designer), Ryan W. Powers (Sound Designer) and Sara J. Tantillo (Stage Manager).

Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul by Kevin Ramsey runs December 6–24, 2006. Opening Night is Saturday, December 9. Evening performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM (except 12/15); matinee performances are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM (except 12/6 and 12/9); and a special Friday Early Show on December 15 at 6:30PM. Tickets are $28–$48, depending on the performance day and time, with special discounts for students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more. DTC also offers its Bring a Teen program: every adult that purchases a regular ticket can receive one free ticket to bring a teenager (ages 13-19) to the performance. Bring a Teen tickets must be purchased in person at the box office (teenager must be present at time of purchase) one hour prior to the performance.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the DTC Box Office at (302) 594-1100 or visit our website: www.delawaretheatre.org.

Delaware Theatre Company’s 2006-2007 season is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Corporate Producer for Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul is Wilmington Trust. Artist housing provided by Pettinaro Relocation. Artist transportation provided by Amtrak. AAA Mid-Atlantic, the official Insurance Company and Travel Agency of DTC. Programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the arts in Delaware. The Delaware Division of the Arts provides technical and financial assistance to artists and arts programs and serves as a clearinghouse for information on the arts.

Delaware Theatre Company, Delaware's premier professional theatre, is located at 200 Water Street, on Wilmington’s exciting Riverfront. Delaware Theatre Company is a member of the League of Resident Theatres, Theatre Communications Group, the Arts Consortium of Delaware, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, and the Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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