Kent State’s African Community Theatre Presents “Ain’t Nothing But a Thang,” April 13-15 & April 20-22

The African Community Theatre of Kent State University will present its Spring 2012 production of
“Ain’t Nothing But a Thang” by Marlin T. Tazewell and directed by Fran Dorsey, Ph.D. The theatre is located in Ritchie Hall on the university’s campus in Kent, Ohio. The street address is 225 Terrace Drive.
 
The play runs from Friday, April 13, through Sunday, April 15, and Friday, April 20, through Sunday, April 22. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., and the Sunday matinee begins at 3 p.m.

“Aint’ Nothing But a Thang” is a gripping drama that tells the story of one black family, a young mother with three teenage children struggling to survive. The Fazes family, like many others, has been thrown curves by life. Now they must step up to the plate and play to win or lose the game of life.

“This is a story about love, hate, distrust, understanding and misunderstanding,” Dorsey said. “It is a story about the will to survive or die. It is a story about drug addiction and how to cope when it is discovered that a family member has AIDS. The language that tells this story is raw, brutal at times and disheartening, but it is a story that must be told. This is a story about a family that is taught to remember that each new curve life throws them, ‘ain’t nothing but a thang’ with which all of them must deal with if they want to survive and win the game of life.”

The play is the winner of the National AIDS Fund/CFDA-Vogue Initiative Playwriting Award and is not recommended for children or youth under the age of 15.

The play features the talents of Kent State students Cara White of Warren, Ohio; Tyeasha Doss of Mayfield Heights, Ohio; Jessica Ransome and Bryan Miller-Foster, both of Washington, D.C.; and Denzel Washington and Stacee Starr, both of Akron, Ohio.

Tickets are $7 for students and senior citizens and $10 for general admission. For more information and reservations, please call 330-672-2300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 330-672-0151 after 5 p.m.

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Photo Caption:
The cast of “Ain’t Nothing But A Thang” includes Kent State University students (top row) Stacee Starr along with (bottom row, left to right) Bryan Miller-Foster, Jessica Ransome, Cara White, Tyeasha Doss and Denzel Washington.

Media Contact:
Fran Dorsey, fdorsey@kent.edu, 330-672-0151