Dark Blue Mondaze Showcase Theatre Series Premiers September 27

 Actor, Playwright, and Arts advocate Gary Dewitt Marshall shares his love for theater and community with Dark Blue Mondaze, a monthly showcase theatre series featuring performances of historical, social, civic, and cultural relevance to the city of Long Beach. "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” will mark the premier production of the series held at Manazar Gamboa Community Theater on September 27.

Gary Dewitt Marshall is dedicated to bringing enriching theater experiences to Long Beach residents and theater lovers of all ages. His commitment to giving back led him to launch Dark Blue Mondaze, a monthly showcase theatre series featuring performances of historical, social, civic, and cultural relevance.  On Thursday, September 27, he will present the classic stage play and choreopoem, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf”, directed by Stevi Meredith.  The play and showcase series will take place at Manazar Gamboa Community Theater, located at 1323 Gundry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813 - adjacent to the Homeland Cultural Center.  The play will begin at 7:00 p.m. from September 27 through Saturday, September 29, with a final midday performance at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30. Tickets may be purchased for $10.00 at www.darkbluemondaze.ticketleap.com. Tickets may also be purchased at Shades of Afrika located at 1001 E. 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90802 as well as Village Treasures, located at 146 Linden Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802.

Originally written as a collection of poems by Ntozake Shange, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” debuted as an Off Broadway and Broadway stage play in 1976.  Characters such as “Lady in Purple” recite 20 poems encompassing numerous life struggles experienced by seven African-American women.  The forthcoming production at Gamboa Theater is highly anticipated by art enthusiasts throughout the Long Beach community. This will mark the first of a 10-show season planned for the Dark Blue Mondaze series through June 2013.

Gary D. Marshall also focuses his attention on youth, creating the LBTAC Youth Council in partnership with the Long Beach Theater Arts Collaborative (a Catalyst Network of Communities project). The combined forces will produce a series of engaging master-classes for over 150 local students beginning Monday, September 24.  The series entitled Master Class Mondaze will commence with a meet-and-greet with the cast of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf”, and a Q&A session. Marshall will enlist the help of his peers and colleagues to offer exclusive discussions, tips and techniques to help mentor students who are interested in performing arts, Broadway shows and the entertainment industry. The master-class workshops will occur one Monday per month from 4pm-7pm beginning September 24 through December 10 at the Manazar Gamboa Community Theater. Students ranging in ages from 13-20 will participate as well as attend local theatrical events throughout the city.

Marshall serves as a Board of Directors member of the Arts Council for Long Beach as well as gallery coordinator for The Collaborative. He was recently featured in an Examiner.com article  that noted his thriving acting career and highlighted his most recent Long Beach-focused achievements.

For a complete list of upcoming Dark Blue Mondaze productions and Gary D. Marshall news, follow @DarkBlueMondaze on Twitter and visit www.darkbluemondaze.ticketleap.com. For questions, email darkbluemondaze@gmail.com. 

About Gary D. Marshall III
Gary D. Marshall III is an accomplished actor, playwright and arts advocate from Rochester, New York. He has been featured in film, television and Broadway stage. An ABC/DGA Fellowship candidate, he is also an accomplished and critically acclaimed director.  Mr. Marshall’s current passion is to create a “Message Center” for the community with his series Dark Blue Mondaze – Voices of Diversity in Action. By presenting socially relevant themes, the stagings can be utilized as a venue for social and civil discourse,; a new kind of ‘town square’ for current times. Dark Blue Mondaze will help reintroduce people to their humanity, along with creating a grassroots arts education movement. Visit Gary D. Marshall’s filmography. 

“My unique philosophy uses theatre as a lighthouse to illuminate the collective
imagination, creating a venue for discourse and debate where attitudes and ideologies
can be transformed.” - Gary DeWitt Marshall