NEWS RELEASE

Feb. 27, 2009                          CONTACT:    Chris Higginbotham, Public Relations

                                                                        919-818-xxxx   higginbotham@xxxxxxx.com

MAGIC MEETS RHYTHM AT THE RALEIGH LITTLE THEATRE

            Wiley is in an enviable position: a 10-year-old boy who, with the help of a hound dog and a little wit, is able to conquer his fears.

The swamps of Alabama come to life at Raleigh Little Theatre when the African-American folktale “Wiley and the Hairy Man” takes the stage March 13 through 29.

“It really appeals to anyone who’s ever been afraid – anyone who remembers what it’s like to be young and fear that nameless something,” says Director Linda O’Day Young.

Wiley is a young boy who is haunted by the Hairy Man.  Wiley’s mother tells him that if he can outwit the Hairy Man three times then he won’t be haunted anymore.  The child then sets off through the swamp to conquer his fear with his wits and the help of his faithful hound dog.

“It’s an intimate show; it’s very involved.  The audience is really drawn into the story,” O’Day Young says. 

 In keeping with the African-American roots of the story, the production runs to the rhythm of an original percussion track.  O’Day Young enlisted the help of percussionist Jubal Creech, who recorded an African-inspired track to guide the performance. 

“I really tried to keep with the context of the story,” Creech said.  He calls the music a “soundscape” because his goal was to create movement and mood for the production. 

“There are West African initiation rhythms worked in and lots of strong man rhythms to augment the story,” he said.

In addition to Creech’s soundscape, the set itself is used as an instrument for the show.  Drums are built into the set and chorus members bang on them with sticks, as well as banging on pipes and wind chimes.

“Rhythm is really intrinsic to the script,” O’Day Young said.

The music is augmented by a unique interplay between the set and the costumes.  Costume Director Vicki Olson created costumes for the chorus members that bring the swamp to life on the stage. 

“We really wanted the costumes to come together with the set to form the environment,” she said.  Chorus members’ costumes mimic the grass, trees and even the insects found in an Alabama swamp.

 “Wiley and the Hairy Man” was written during the Great Depression, as part of the Federal Writers’ Project.  The project paid writers to record stories and folktales that were mainly a part of oral tradition.

The theatre will also feature a musical storytelling workshop hosted by Creech on March 14 and 21. 

“[Participants] will make a lot of noise,” said Creech.  “They’ll have a lot of fun and they will learn how to use rhythm to tell a story.”

The workshop is open to adults and children over 8.  It runs from 2:45 to 3:45 both days.  The cost is 7 dollars.

Raleigh Little Theatre is a community-based theatre production company dedicated to bringing top-flight entertainment and theatre education to Raleigh.  For more information, visit RaleighLittleTheatre.org or call 919-821-xxxx.