Lewis is a tenured professor of mathematics at a well-regarded university. Underneath his veneer of success lies a soul troubled by questions of personal and cultural identity. When his wife leaves him, apparently due to the fact that he won’t embrace his heritage and attend the Million Man March, Lewis experiences a disorienting insomnia and inadvertently conjures his ancestors. Three generations of men (all played by the same actor), from slavery through Black Power, challenge Lewis to embark on a night journeycombining past and present. Infused with abundant humor and woven through with original songs, BLUE DOOR is a tour-de-force for two actors, a vivid, exuberantly theatrical play about the African-American male experience. READ LARRY TOPPMAN’S PREVIEW ARTICLE READ AN INTERVIEW WITH PLAYWRIGHT TANYA BARFIELD Rave Reviews “…the most nuanced performanceI’ve seen…” - Perry Tannenbaum, Creative Loafing READ PERRY’S REVIEW “…the right balance…a superb job…” - Lawrence Toppman, The Charlote Observer READ LARRY’S REVIEW

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM

Tanya Barfield’s (Playwright) plays include OF EQUAL MEASURE (Center Theatre Group), BLUE DOOR (Playwrights Horizons, South Coast Repertory; Seattle Repertory, Berkeley Repertory and additional theaters), DENT, THE QUICK, THE HOUDINI ACT and 121° WEST. She wrote the book for the Theatreworks/USA children’s musical: CIVIL WAR: THE FIRST BLACK REGIMENT. Ms. Barfield was a recipient of the 2003 Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, 2005 Honorable Mention for the Kesselring Prize for Drama, a 2006 Lark Play Development/NYSCA grant and she has been twice been a Finalist for the Princess Grace Award. She has been commissioned by Playwrights Horizons, Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory, Primary Stages and Geva Theatre Center. She is a member of New Dramatists and serves on the membership committee at The Dramatist Guild.

Chip Decker (Director) was born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont and has lived in Texas, North Dakota and North Carolina. Chip joined Actor’s Theatre in 1996 and became Artistic Director in 2002. In addition to acting in our productions of DARK RAPTURE, STUMPS, ZARA SPOOK & OTHER LURES, BUG, THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE’S “ABRIDGED” plays and RABBIT HOLE, Chip received MTA’s Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Michael in ATC’s multi-award winning drama, THE PILLOWMAN. Also, he received Creative Loafing’s Best Director (Comedy) Award for our production of WONDER OF THE WORLD, as well as sharing Theatre Person of the Year honors. He also directed THE 39 STEPS, END DAYS, MY FIRST TIME, SOUTHERN RAPTURE, THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, POLISH JOKE that opened our 2005-2006 season, THE OLDEST PROFESSION, and THE SANTALAND DIARIES. Chip would like to thank his favorite scene partner of nearly 17 years, his wife, Taffy.

MEET THE CAST

Brian Daye (Lewis) is an actor, writer, director and voice talent based in Huntersville. An actor for over 30 years, Brian has appeared in such plays as A RAISIN IN THE SUN, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, ALL MY SONS, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, CHOCOLATE ON THE OUTSIDE and THE SUNSET LIMITED and has directed Theatre Charlotte’s “9×9@9” short play series. He directed the new play TRIBE as part of On Q Productions in 2010, and directed Samm-Art Williams HOME, during On Q’s 2010-2011 2nd season. He has done television work on the series “America’s Most Wanted” and also on The Inspiration Network. His voice-overs include work for IBM and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Brian also worked on the films “Bolden”, “Gospel Hill”, “Blood Done Sign My Name”, “Stomp The Yard 2/Homecoming” and Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married ¬Too”. Brian is also a playwright, having written and directed ONE IN THE SPIRIT, a new and original play. It premiered in Greensboro five years ago and has been performed in Virginia, Cornelius and Charlotte. He is also working on a new play entitled THE RACE, which he plans to turn into a screenplay. Brian was a former board member of Actor’s Theatre and acted in BOOK OF DAYS with Actor’s Theatre nine years ago. He is hugely thankful to be back in the fold with ATC for BLUE DOOR with Chip and Jeremy, and looks forward to a very successful show run.

Jeremy DeCarlos (Rex) was born in Florence, SC, raised in Columbia, SC, and now resides in Charlotte, having recently completed his BA in Theatre from Winthrop University. At Winthrop, Jeremy created memorable roles in AMERICAN BUFFALO and TOP DOG/UNDER DOG. Jeremy was seen in the ATC productions of JOHNNY GUITAR, CROWNS, TAKE ME OUT, NATURAL SELECTION, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, GEM OF THE OCEAN, BLUE and most recently the World Premiere of SOUTHERN RAPTURE. Jeremy has been acting since the age of 13 and has appeared in a few minor film roles.

Opening Night Sponsors

Season 22 Sponsors

Official Media Sponsor

Official Beer Sponsor

OPENING NIGHT: Wednesday, February 16th at 7:30pm reception immediately following the performance Join us for the Opening Night of Blue Door and enjoy an evening of fabulous theatre and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. Catering provided by Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, wine provided compliments of Today’s Charlotte Woman, and a beer tasting provided by Carolina Beer. Cost: FREE, with purchase of ticket TALKBACK THURSDAYS: Thursdays during the run of the show immediately following the performance Have a burning question after seeing the show and want an answer from the creative team? Then stick around after the show on Thursdays for a facilitated talkback with the cast and director of Blue Door. Cost: FREE, with purchase of ticket PAY WHAT YOU CAN NIGHT: Wednesday, February 23rd at 7:30pm Looking for a jolly good time but don’t have a wad of cash lying around? ‘Pay What You Can’ is the ticket for you because we will accept any amount you give us for a ticket, whether it’s $1 or $20 (a $10 donation is recommended per ticket). No advanced reservations accepted. Tickets sold beginning at 6:30p the date of performance and are sold until we sell out. Cash, check and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) accepted. Maximum of four tickets per person. Line begins forming between 5:30 – 6:00p. Performances typically sell out.