December 16, 2021 (Milwaukee, WI) – Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Toni Stone, a sensational theatrical event with a high intensity glimpse into the world of the first woman to go pro in baseball’s Negro Leagues, by celebrated playwright Lydia R. Diamond. The cast features Kedren Spencer (Little Shop of Horrors, Trinity Rep) as Toni Stone with Melvin Abston (Animal Farm, Milwaukee Rep) as Alberga, Amar Atkins (The Color Purple, Broadway) as Elzie, Milwaukee’s own Dimonte Henning (Our Town, Milwaukee Rep) as Woody, Enoch King (Constellations, Horizon Theatre Company) as Millie, Eric J. Little (Clybourne Park, Aurora Theatre) as King Tut, Lau’rie Roach (Slur, Alliance Theatre) as Jimmy, dane troy (My Children! My Africa!, Theatrical Outfit) as Stretch and Geoffrey D. Williams (Thurgood, Theatrical Outfit) as Spec.
Toni Stone is directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden (Native Gardens, Virginia Center Stage) with choreography by Dell Howlett (Guys and Dolls, Guthrie Theater), set design by Tony Cisek (Two Trains Running, Milwaukee Rep), costume design by Kara Harmon (Eclipsed, Milwaukee Rep), lighting design by Thom Weaver (Junk, Milwaukee Rep), original music and composition by Derek A. Graham (Redwood, Portland Center Stage), sound design by Sharath Patel (Pass Over, ACT) with casting director Jody Feldman, wig designer Nikiya Mathis, dialect coach Shadana Patterson, intimacy consultant Sasha Smith and stage manager Martinique M. Barthel. Toni Stone is a co-production with Alliance Theatre in Atlanta where it will run February 10-27, 2022.
Declared the Best New Play of 2019 by the Wall Street Journal and a New York Times Critics Pick! Toni Stone captures the trailblazing spirit of the first woman to go pro in baseball’s Negro Leagues. Against all odds, Toni Stone blazes a path in the male-dominated sports world, shattering expectations and creating her own set of rules. Follow Toni’s journey as she fights for love, equality and a chance to do what she wants to do most – play baseball. Filled with humor and the love of the game, this intimate and profoundly relevant portrait of America will have you cheering along.
Milwaukee Rep is hosting a panel discussion about The Inclusivity of Women in Sports after the Tuesday, January 11, 6:30pm performance of Toni Stone as part of a season long Women Empowerment Series. Moderated by Milwaukee Bucks in-game host Melanie Ricks, the panelist will include MU Women’s Basketball players Julianna Okosun and Kennedi Myles, Racecar Driver/Drag Racer and Manager of Milwaukee Truck Service Brittiny Helmers, Dominican High School Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach Marissa Riordan, and MU Women’s Soccer player Maggie Starker. For more information and to purchase tickets to that performance, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com/Inclusivity-women-sports.
Toni Stone runs January 4- January 30, 2022 in the Quadracci Powerhouse. Opening night is set for Friday, January 7 at 8:00pm. Purchase tickets at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.
Toni Stone is funded in part by a grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation, Executive Producers Robert Burrell & Judy Hansen with Associate Producers Chris & Katie Hermann.
For more information, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.
