‘I Dream’ the Musical Drama
Inspired by ‘A Preacher From Atlanta’

ATLANTA, May 26
/PRNewswire/ — “I Dream” is a musical celebration and journey through
the life and work of a man whose prophetic and historical significance
has become legend.  The story of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is now a major musical
drama opening in Atlanta on July 9, 2010. 

Presented by
Musical-Dramatic Arts and directed by acclaimed actress Jasmine Guy, best known for her role as Whitley
Gilbert in the 1990s hit series ‘A Different World,’ the
through-composed work is an inspirational portrayal of the civil rights
leader from his early years through to the end of his life.*

“I feel honored to be
directing such a landmark production. With a glorious score set to such a
moving American story, this is an exciting and emotional experience,”
says Guy. “And the fact that we are premiering in my hometown, where so
much of the story originated, is so fitting.”

Author and composer Douglas Tappin first began work on “I Dream”
four years ago when he arrived from Britain to start a new life
in Atlanta with his family. Once here, he immersed himself in the local
history and, ultimately, found inspiration in the story of a local
preacher.

“I’ve tried to combine
historic and personal elements of Dr. King’s extraordinary life and
legacy with individual stories gleaned from interviews with people whose
lives he touched during the tempestuous years of the Civil Rights
Movement between 1955 and 1968,” says Tappin. “I was particularly
captivated by Dr. King’s statement that man is neither villain nor hero –
he is, rather villain and hero.”

Having
considered London, New York and Washington D.C., producers Cedric
Perrier, Dej Mahoney, Tim Bowen, and Douglas Tappin were in no doubt as to the most
appropriate city in which to debut ‘I Dream.’

“We have often felt the
hand of history on our shoulders as we have developed ‘I Dream’ here,”
says Perrier. “We have been most privileged to have enjoyed the support
of Atlanta’s former Mayor Shirley Franklin
and current Mayor Kasim Reed, together
with Ebenezer Baptist Church, as we have worked to bring this
great story to life for its World Premiere on the Alliance Stage at
the Woodruff Arts Center.”

Originating the role of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is Quentin Darrington, fresh from recent Broadway
success in the Tony-nominated revival of ‘Ragtime.’ “I consider it a
tremendous privilege to not only create and present this intimate
expression of this great man,” says Darrington. “But also to do it in
the city that centralized his life and work.  It just feels right.”

Acclaimed actress and
singer Demetria McKinney, best known for
her stellar performances in ‘Tyler Perry‘s
House of Payne,’ won the role of Coretta after an extensive search. “I
am proud to originate the character of Coretta
Scott King, a woman who was not only an exceptional wife and
mother but, equally, a leader in her own right in the Civil Rights
Movement,” says McKinney.

#1 Billboard recording
artist, Bob Carlisle (‘Butterfly Kisses’
‘We Fall Down’), will premiere the role of King’s mentor and
professor. “I am thrilled to be asked to participate in this exciting
production,” states Carlisle. “I can think of no other genre that so
fully unites drama and song than theater.  This is where great songs
about a great man can come alive before our eyes.”

As with the cast,
MDAI’s music team boasts an enviable line-up including Grammy®-nominated
arranger Carl Marsh (Cirque Du Soleil,
The Temptations); Legendary arranger and veteran Quincy
Jones collaborator, Greg Phillinganes (Michael
Jackson: ‘Thriller,’ ‘Off The Wall,’ ‘Bad’; Stevie
Wonder: ‘Songs In the Key Of Life’); And Keith Williams, music producer
and Director of Music at the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

“I Dream” will run July 9 through July 31 on the Alliance Stage at
the Woodruff Arts Center, as an independent production. 

For ticket information
visit: http://www.woodruffcentertickets.org
or call (404) 733 5000. Also visit the official website: http://www.IDreamInAtlanta.com 

ABOUT MUSICAL DRAMATIC
ARTS: Musical-Dramatic Arts Inc. (MDAI) is a theatrical production
company, based in Atlanta, Georgia and London, England. Its mission is
to stage productions of original works of musical-drama, with “I Dream” –
based on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
– being its first production in the U.S.A. Although Atlanta was
selected as the most appropriate birthplace for this new piece, the
company’s intention is to tour this and future productions
internationally through major markets, including Broadway and London.

Musical-Dramatic Arts Inc.