(NEW HOPE, PA) -- Clayton Prince (Cosby Show, Dark Justice, Hairspray, Cream) and Judith Lightfoot Clarke (How to be Single, Killer, Law & Order) have officially joined the cast in the theatrical new works reading series production, NEW FEATHERS. For one-night only (November 15th) of the three New Feathers productions dates at the Michener, Prince will be performing as “Jonathan Alexander”, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist opposite Clarke who has assumed the role of “Evelyn Biddle Carver”, a status-obsessed real-estate agent.
Both stars will be featured in their opposing roles as announced, in CELEBRITY, a one-act play by playwright, actor, director and producer, John Augustine. Celebrity will leave audiences asking the internal or external question, “do I actually do that, or identify who they know who may be guilty of “doing that” – stated Augustine.
For one-night only (11/15) of the three New Feathers productions dates at the Michener, Prince will be performing as “Jonathan Alexander”, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist opposite Clarke who has assumed the role of “Evelyn Biddle Carver”, a status-obsessed real-estate agent. Both stars will be featured in their opposing roles as announced, in CELEBRITY, a one-act play by playwright, actor, director and producer, John Augustine. Celebrity will leave audiences asking the internal or external question, “do I actually “do that”, do I have prejudicial or racist thoughts... or do I know someone like this or have I de-valued somebody based on their being “just a wife” without a “money job” or “just the partner” of an important person. –stated Augustine.
Prince and Clarke will be sharing the stage throughout the evening with fellow actors Tyler Horn, Meghan Malloy, Joey Perillo, David Levy, Sarah LeClair and Nyiema Lunsford Lunsford, while rotating various roles in: PeopleSpeak, also by John Augustine and Secedin’ from Eden from additional, NFP, new works playwright, John McDonnell.
Produced and presented by Mandee K. Hammerstein, John Augustine and Greg T. Nanni, New Feathers is exclusively at the James A. Michener Art Museum for three nights only, November 1st – Shorts Night, November 15th - One-Acts, December 15th – a curated full-length, TBA. The New Feathers ongoing mission is to professionally produce reading series that are dedicated to offering a voice and welcoming forum while showcasing new, literary works by established and emerging playwrights. New Feathers also provides an industry inside-view to the creative-writing process through its unique format, consisting of pre-show & post-show gatherings, surveys, developmental-related talkback and more.
The New Feathers Productions series dates at the Michener are exclusively on Thursday, November 1st, 15th and December 20th only. Show tickets also include instant access to the latest museum exhibits including: Impressions on Paper: Henry Snell (on view now through Nov. 11), Leslie Pontz: Integration (on view 11/3/18 – 2/17/19), and Frank Hyder: The Janis Project (on view 11/10,18 - 2/23/19), as well as the popular pre-show gatherings at 6pm, prior to each 7pm performance.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Show tickets $20.00 each at MICHENERARTMUSEUM.ORG – “New Feathers”
Select proceeds of all NFP ticket sales additionally benefit the James A. Michener’s educational programming department.
MORE ABOUT THE ONE-ACT CELEBRITY BY JOHN AUGUSTINE:
Evelyn Biddle Carver (Judith Lightfoot-Clarke) is a status-obsessed real estate agent giving a party for the Fourth of July. While her husband Graham (Joey Perillo) drinks and makes pleasantries, and a British nanny (Megan Malloy) deals with unruly twins offstage, Evelyn waits breathlessly for the arrival of her new neighbor, Oscar-winning actor Lance McCambridge. When it turns out that Lance is out of town, and "only" his wife can make it, Evelyn tries to make do with the celebrity of her other guest, the black author Jonathan Alexander and his white lover Benjamin (Tyler Horn) - but his blackness and gayness are maybe not her favorite thing. And it is hard to face life, and a party, when you were expecting to be seen with a movie star.
CLAYTON PRINCE BIO: A native of Philadelphia, actor, singer, producer, and director Clayton Prince knew early on that entertainment was his calling and enrolled in the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts as a drama major. At 17, Clayton was cast in Boston's local production of the play American Passion opposite a then 17-year-old Robert Downey Jr., quickly leading him to landing a part in the film The Last Dragon. Shortly after, Prince garnered one of the most recognized roles in sitcom history when the budding actor was cast as Denise's reggae-singing boyfriend, Eddie Lakeheart in what has since become a classic episode of The Cosby Show. Clayton's strategic, comedic-timing coupled with Bill Cosby's hilarious reactions made the episode so popular that it went on to break Nielson ratings records!
Soon after his explosive sitcom debut, Prince originated the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs in John Waters' 1988 hit film Hairspray, starring opposite Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry, Jerry Stiller and Sonny Bono. By the 1990's, Clayton returned to television and was a regular on the popular NBC soap opera Another World where he won critical acclaim in the role of Reuben Lawrence.
Following Another World, Prince landed a lead role in Dark Justice, as Jericho “Gibs” Gibson. Shot on-location in Spain and in Los Angeles, the drama ran for three seasons and was seen in over fifty countries around the world.
For the next few years, Clayton spent much of his time in both New York and LA, working on various projects and appeared in guest and recurring roles on such notable series as Spin City, Third Watch, The Wayans Brothers, and Hack. Prince is also known for his pilot writing of the web series Cream and is delighted to return to his roots on stage, performing live, experimental new works with theater-enthused audiences!
JUDITH LIGHTFOOT-CLARKE BIO: Broadway: CASA VALENTINA, Manhattan Theatre Club; Off Broadway: MTC: LINDA; St. Clement’s: THREE TRAVELERS; Public Theatre: THE NORMAL HEART;Carnegie Hall: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE; Cherry Lane: EVE-OLUTION; Variety Arts: COMMUNICATING DOORS; York: SACRIFICE TO EROS. REGIONAL: Shakespeare Theatre Company: ROMEO & JULIET; Arden: MACBETH, Merrimack Rep: GOD OF CARNAGE, THE HOMECOMING, BOSTON MRIAGE, THREE DAYS OF RAIN; Old Globe: HAYFEVER; Alley: MISALLIANCE; Ivoryton Playhouse: THE GRADUATE; Wilma: CLOUD 9; Interact: THREE CHRISTS OF MANHATTAN; Cincinnati Playhouse: CLOSER, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. FILM: How to Be Single, Killer. TELEVISION: Unforgettable, Forever, Outlaw, Law & Order, SVU, What Goes On. Graduate of The College of William & Mary in Virginia.
About New Feathers: New Feathers Productions is a professionally produced, ever-expanding playwright and performance reading series devoted to new works and are will be accepting open-submissions from all playwrights, submission details TBA. From inception and onto their exciting, second-season this fall, NFP promises to showcase theatrical works currently created by the award-winning playwrights of Princeton’s Witherspoon Circle and will be collecting new work for future programming from Bucks County area playwrights. NFP purposefully presents an edgy, industry-inside view to the creative development process with skilled performers, playwrights and directors. NFP aims to deliver a delightful and memorable mix of emotion-flexing, brain-teasing comedy, frank thought, post-conversation, while immersing participants in the experimental, theatrical process and encourages audience feedback to support new work. For the latest updates please visit the New Feathers Productions Facebook page
About the James A. Michener Art Museum: The James A. Michener Art Museum collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits American art, and promotes the work of nationally and internationally known Delaware Valley artists of all eras and creative disciplines. Founded in 1988, the museum presents exhibitions that explore a variety of artistic expressions and offers diverse educational programs that develop a lifelong involvement in the arts. Throughout the year, the Michener Art Museum hosts a wide range of programs open to the public, including lectures, artists conversations, gallery talks, artist studio tours, dance performances, jazz performances, family-themed activities, and other events. The Museum also offers a diverse selection of art classes for children and adults, which include instruction in drawing, painting, sculpting, and printmaking as well as programs for the public, schools, and teachers designed to support arts education. The James A. Michener Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
