World Premiere of Leonard House’s One For The Road Begins April 19 at The Greenhouse Theatre

The year is 1972, and Ray Haskins is the proud owner of a south side bar passed down to him from his late father. However, between the neighborhood gang squeezing him for protection money, the mysterious Vietnam vet he just hired, and dealing with his own personal demons, Ray may find himself in a fight for survival of his most prized possession.

One For The Road Performance Info:

Running: April 19 – June 2, 2019

Location: Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614          

Show Times:  Thursday – Saturdays 8pm/ Sundays 3pm

Tickets:  $22 – $40. Group tickets available.  Box Office: (773) 404-7336 Website: www.mpaact.org         

About MPAACT

MPAACT was founded in 1991 by a group of like-minded individuals who shared an artistic vision and who wanted to develop, nurture, and sustain Afrikan Centered Theatre, which is grounded in the many cultures and traditions of the African continent and its Diaspora. With a vision focused on creating new work and collaborative art, MPAACT produces and educates with the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of Afrikan Centered Theatre and its interrelated disciplines, including not only main stage and standing productions but also a playwright’s laboratory, original music, a publishing company (Sakhu Publications), an arts education program, and many workshops and master classes.

The Director

Runako Jahi – Director, playwright, actor, acting coach, poet, and graphic artist whose objective is to interpret the African American experience authentically, with all its soulful complexities. Recent work includes Testimony (theater consultant for Madhi Theatre Company); Words & Passion: An Evening with Runako Jahi, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, produced by MPAACT (Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre); Happy Birthday, Langston Hughes, a celebratory musical revue featuring the poetry of Mr. Hughes at City Winery—Chicago; South Shore Opera Company’s production of Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line To Freedom; After School Matters; Urban Gateways; Upward Bound; Chicago Youth Center; Joan Collaso’s Timeless Gifts youth mentoring program; PraiZe Productions performing arts program; Madhi Theatre Company’s Chicago’s Bronzeville the Musical; Court Theater’s Arts in the Schools program, and the National Center For Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia’s Rialto Theatre. Actively involved in the theater from 1972 to date, beginning primarily as an actor, developed into a playwright, and later, an award-winning stage director. As a teaching artist, he has inspired and trained many performers and arts practitioners. He coached singer/actor, Jennifer Hudson, for her audition for the film, Dreamgirls, and has over thirty years’ experience developing youth and adult talent. Runako Jahi served as Artistic Director of eta Creative Arts Foundation from September 1990 to July 2014, developing the acting skills of novice as well as experienced actors.

The Playwright

Leonard House – One for the Road is the debut play from Leonard House. While this may be his first play he is no stranger to the theatre. He has been an actor in the Chicago area performing for a variety of companies, including Congo Square, American Theatre Company, ETA Creative Arts, and MPAACT where he is also a company member and the current Literary Manager. He has earned degrees from the University of Louisville (MFA), Columbia College Chicago (MFA), and Dillard University (BA). He is already working on his second play entitled, The 18th.

The Players

Darren Jones (Haskins) Darren has appeared in NEVER THE MILK AND HONEY, WARM ON THE COOLIN’ BOARD and QUARK. His Recent stage credits include CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, THE HEAVENS ARE HUNG IN BLACK, THE WHALESHIP ESSEX AND MILL FIRE for Shattered Globe Theatre Company, where he is an Artistic Associate; MEGASTASIS (Eclipse Theatre Company); RUTHERFORD’S TRAVELS (Pegasus Theatre Company); WHAT I LEARNED IN PARIS (Congo Square Theatre); REPAIRING A NATION, IF SCROOGE WAS A BROTHER (eta Creative Arts Foundation); KATRINA: MOTHER-IN-LAW OF THE ALL! (Interrobang Theatre Company); FABULATION: OR THE RE-EDUCATION OF UNDINE (Pulse Theatre Company); THE ALTON SCHOOL CASES OF 1867 (DePaul Theater School). Film and television credits include CHI-RAQ, HOOD, NO CHASER, ROAD TO FREEDOM, CHICAGO PD (NBC), CHICAGO FIRE (NBC). Darren has done commercials and internet ads for NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE, RIVERS CASINO, BROOKFIELD ZOO, AFFINITY HEALTHCARE, METLIFE AND HUMANA along with training and industrial films for CAREERBUILDER, ACCENTURE, NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL, WALGREENS AND SEARS AUTO CENTER. Darren is represented by Lily’s Talent Chicago.