The Summer of Daisy Fay Delights Audiences At Redtwist Theatre

20 Jul The Summer of Daisy Fay Delights Audiences At Redtwist Theatre

Congratulations, Anthony Whitaker & Jamal Howard, co-founders of New American Folk Theatre! The Summer of Daisy Fay has been recommended for a Jefferson award! To qualify as “Jeff Recommended” at least one element of the show must be deemed outstanding by the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. Many elements were outstanding – acting, writing, set, costumes. It’s a hit!

July 11-August 17

Saturdays 3 p.m. & Sundays & Mondays 7:30 p.m.

Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W Bryn Mawr

$20 tickets reserve in advance: http://daisyfay.brownpapertickets.com/

Anthony Whitaker and Jamal Howard are in the circle of artists who frequently share their talent at NW Side arts & cultural events. Between them, they represent several art forms — music, dance, and theatre. As a young theatre company, NAFT does not yet have a brick-&-mortar presence, but if they ever get one we hope it will be on the NW Side.

Charlie Irving, Summer Of Daisy Fay

The Summer of Daisy Fay is one of the most delightful plays I have seen in a long time. It is lively, cheerful, intelligent, and actress Charlie Irving is totally engaging. Only the most talented of actors can succeed in doing that in a one-woman show. Charlie trained at The Second City, ActOne Studios, and Lou Conte Dance Studio as well as with Chicago College of Performing Arts professors while earning her History & Psychology degree at Roosevelt University.

Ed Howard, playwright, first met author Fannie Flagg in the early spring of 1982 just after she published her first novel, Coming Attractions (which was renamed The Summer of Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man). Her second novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at The Whistle Stop Café, was followed by Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!, Standing in the Rainbow, A Redbird Christmas, and Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven. Flagg was a regular on television shows, Candid Camera and The Match Game. She then went on to distinguish herself as an actress and a writer in television, films, and theatre. Flagg’s script for Fried Green Tomatoes was nominated for an Academy Award, and the Writers Guild of America Award. She won the highly-regarded Scripter Award for best screenplay of the year. Flagg lives happily in California and Alabama.

New American Folk Theatre was founded in October 2011 by collaborators Anthony Whitaker and Jamal Howard. The company is dedicated to folk theatre, music, and stories that shine new light on the American tale. The Summer of Daisy Fay is NAFT’s fifth full production. They also produced Two from the Trailer Court, The Marvelous Land of Oz (both written by Anthony Whitaker) Dark of the Moon, Witches Among Us, Kennedy’s Children, and Dirty Girl.

Anthony Whitaker (Artistic Diretor, Co-Founder) grew up in Greenville, SC, where, he began performing at age 10. Whitaker performed with the Greenville Little Theatre, The Warehouse Theatre, The Greenville Fine Arts Center, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts, and the Singing Christmas Tree.

Since leaving South Carolina, he has performed in Atlanta (Center Stage Atlanta and Georgia State University), The Lost Colony in Manteo, NC, The Golden Apple Dinner Theatres in Sarasota and Venice, Florida and many venues in Chicago (The Royal George, Emerald City, Beverly Arts Center, Theatre on the Lake). In addition to performing, Anthony teaches elementary and junior high music in the public and Catholic School systems, and directs productions for various south side schools and the Beverly Arts Center.

Jamal Howard (Managing Director/Marketing, Co-Founder) is originally from San Jose, Calif. Jamal grew up performing and training in musical theatre since the age of eight with Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose (CMTSJ), Peninsula Youth Theatre, and Bellarmine College Preparatory. He taught jazz classes and workshops and choreographed for CMTSJ’s summer camp.

Jamal graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Theatre and Advertising/Public Relations. There he made his directorial debut with Wonder of the World. He directs, choreographs, and teaches jazz/hip-hop dance classes in grade schools on Chicago’s Southside and at the Beverly Arts Center. Directing and Choreography credits include Once on This Island, Cats, Hairspray!, and Little Shop of Horrors. Jamal has recently performed with Quest Theatre Ensemble, Emerald City, and Endpoint Theatre Company.

(Submitted by Marlena Ascher)