UK Alum's 'BrownGirl. Bluegrass.' Returns to Lyric for Final Performances

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2016) — The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center is set to bring back University of Kentucky theatre alumna and playwright Lacresha Denise Berry for her final performances of “BrownGirl. Bluegrass.” Music only from the show will be performed Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, and the entire show will be presented Oct. 2.

Berry's show is an autobiographical story that looks at the cultural history of African Americans in Kentucky while honoring the work of her ancestors whose lives parallel with her own. "BrownGirl. Bluegrass." is a one-woman show with seven original songs that evoke ideas of womanhood, family, love and race.

Berry, a Kentucky native, used her hometown of Lexington for more than just inspiration for her story. She conducted her own research at the UK Libraries' Archives to discover important African Americans in Lexington, such as Oliver Lewis, the jockey who won the first Kentucky Derby; Lucy Harth Smith, a pioneer who worked for equality in public schools; and Robert Charles O'Hara Benjamin, an activist who was shot encouraging African Americans to vote.

In addition to her performances, Berry will be visiting local schools during her visit, as she seeks to give youth a voice who are struggling to find their own and to inspire confidence in their everyday life.

Lacresha Denise Berry visits Lexington schools leading up to her fall performances of "BrownGirl. Bluegrass." at the Lyric. 

To date, Berry has captivated the minds and hearts of over 1,300 audience members with "BrownGirl. Bluegrass."

Show times for the music only performances of "BrownGirl. Bluegrass." at the Lyric are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The following day the full production of the show will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Performances are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $10.

This show will be the last of "BrownGirl. Bluegrass." in Lexington, so don’t miss the last chance to enjoy this inspiring and entertaining performance from a Lexington native.

For more information on this production, visit www.lexingtonlyric.com/event.php?id=740.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu