TV ONE ANNOUNCES PRODUCTION OF NEW THEATRICAL COMPETITION SERIES �DAVID E. TALBERT�S BLACKSTAGE� WITH PLAYWRIGHT DAVID TALBERT AND EDMONDS ENTERTAINMENT
-- Contestants audition and compete during road tour of David Talbert�s new play, �Love In the Nick of Tyme,� starring Morris Chestnut and R&B recording artist Avant, for understudy roles and chance to compete for leading role in next Talbert production --
Pasadena, CA - TV One announced today the production of a new theatrical competition series, David E. Talbert's Blackstage, produced for TV One by Edmonds Entertainment in conjunction with award-winning playwright David Talbert . David E. Talbert's Blackstage opens the curtains to the backstage antics, frustrations and triumphs of an all-new touring production of Talbert's latest play, "Love In the Nick of Tyme," from auditions to rehearsals and then on a 20-city, five month U.S. tour playing on the biggest stages in America. "Love in the Nick of Tyme" stars Morris Chestnut and R&B recording artist Avant and features all-new songs by Vivian Green.
During this real-life theatrical road tour, eight contestants and two alternates -- five men and five women - selected from regional auditions, will compete for the chance to be understudies in "Love in the Nick of Tyme". The winning contestants will also win leading roles in the next David E. Talbert Presents production and be part of its road tour.
The competition that takes place in this in the hour-long, eight episode series will be judged each week by a panel that includes actor/producer Blair Underwood, David Talbert and one other guest judge. Two contestants will be eliminated each week, based on competitions in key theater-related areas, such as singing, acting, hair and makeup, wardrobe, stage management, street teams who use grassroots tactics to market the plays and merchandising.
"We are very excited to be bringing this unique series to TV One," said TV One Executive Vice President of Programming and Production Rose Catherine Pinkney. "The show combines a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic world of urban theater with a competition that will really test the versatility and talent of participants. And combining the talents of David Talbert, Blair Underwood and Morris Chestnut and Tracey Edmonds is a can't miss opportunity."
Executive producers of the series are David E. Talbert, Morris Chestnut, Blair Underwood, Tracey Edmonds and Michael McQuarn.
Launched in January 2004, TV One ( www.tvoneonline.com ) serves 34.9 million households (Nielsen Jan. 2007 estimate), offering a broad range of lifestyle and entertainment-oriented original programming, classic series, movies, fashion and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult African American viewers. TV One's investors include Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com ], the largest radio company that primarily targets African American and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA and CMCSK; www.comcast.com ], the leading cable television company in the country; The DirecTV Group; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications; Pacesetter Capital Group; and Opportunity Capital Partners.
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