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BET Offers Up A Dream in "One Night Only" New Original Series, Takes Center Stage On BET Tonight
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT
Washington (January 23, 2007) - Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT,
BET will
premiere the new original program, One Night Only.
This inspiring
reality docu-soap follows eight high school kids and their drama teacher
from New Orleans' McDonogh 35, as they race to mount the "Dreamgirls"
play.
Within the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, the series profiles
eight enterprising students -- Josh, Chrishira, Deri'Andra, Brandon,
Tracci, Michael, Jasmine and Keith - who join their families and peers
in rebuilding their homes, school, and community while also trying to
enjoy their teenage years.
The half-hour, six episode series takes on dramatic twists and turns as
these New Orleans students try to keep pace with the demands of
preparing themselves for a successful "Dreamgirls" performance, while
balancing academics, social activities and their lives in the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina. Taking on the challenge of putting on a show of
this magnitude is daunting even for professional theatre groups. This
is the 'big time' and
for these eight kids who dream of stardom, the
stakes are
high -- but the bright lights of Broadway are a long way from
post-Katrina New Orleans. ONE NIGHT ONLY features guest appearances
from Golden Globe Award-winning and Academy Award® )-nominated star of
the hit movie, Jennifer Hudson, actor Blair Underwood, celebrity couple
Duane Martin and Tisha Campbell Martin, 2006 American Idol finalist
Paris Bennett, Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison and TLC
host and celebrity makeup artist Damone Roberts.
"These students' struggle and determination is inspiration for everyone
that dreams really can become reality," said Reginald Hudlin, President
of Entertainment for BET. "As the voice of a young Black generation, BET
is the perfect home for ONE NIGHT ONLY."
"Scholars and pundits have pondered the social and political
consequences of Katrina, but until you've looked into the eyes of a
young person in New Orleans, you cannot comprehend the full scale of
this human drama," explains ONE NIGHT ONLY director/producer Nia Hill.
"We are thrilled to present the real lives, dreams and talents of these
dynamic survivors on BET."
In the premiere episode, we are introduced to McDonogh 35 High School
and theater teacher/director of the Dreamgirls performance, Troy
Poplous, who recounts the struggle to keep the school open after
Hurricane Katrina. Through his narrative, we learn that this production
has a deeper meaning for those involved. The Dreamgirls story of dreams
and perseverance is a theme that the McDonogh students and their
community can easily identify with as they rebuild after Hurricane
Katrina. Auditions are held with the help of American Idol's Bennett,
who knows a thing or two about auditioning (in front of thirty million
people).
The final cuts are made and we are introduced to the McDonogh 35 cast of
"Dreamgirls":
* Joshua (Jimmy) - A senior at McDonogh 35. Joshua is a member of
the choir and serves as the student director for the school's Gospel
Choir.
* Brandon (C.C.) - Brandon sings tenor in McDonogh 35 school choir
and is an active parishioner at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church,
where he has been singing since age 8.
* Keith (Curtis) - A student at McDonogh 35 where he sings tenor
in the school choir. He is an active parishioner at St. Paul the
Apostle Catholic Church, where he has been singing since age 9.
* Chrishira ( Effie) - A junior at McDonogh 35 who loves to sing
as well as participate in many other extra-circular activities
including: Majorette,. Student Council and Drama Club.
* Deri'Andra (Deena) - A New Orleans native and member of the
McDonogh 35 school choir, Drama club and Student Council. She is also a
member of the singing group, Aprique.
* Tracci (Lorrell) - Attends New Orleans Math and Science High
School. Tracci comes from a musical family and has participated in
numerous nationwide singing contests. She also sings with the group,
Harmonistic Praise.
* Jasmine (Michelle) - The 2006 McDonogh 35 Homecoming Queen. She
is an active member of the Student Council, Senior Steering Committee,
and National Honor Society.
* Michael (Gilbert) - A junior at McDonogh 35 and a member of the
school choir. Michael loves music and has been singing since age 8.
ONE NIGHT ONLY was produced by The Momentum Experience/Strange Fruit
Films, with support from Dreamworks/Paramount which covered licensing
fees for all amateur productions of the award-winning musical
"Dreamgirls" in the United States and Canada during 2006 at high
schools, colleges and in community theatres. The program was offered
last year in conjunction with the owners of the original musical-which
include the estate of Michael Bennett, who directed, choreographed and
produced the original Broadway musical, and the Tams-Witmark Music
Library Inc.-with the goal of introducing a new generation of
theatergoers to "Dreamgirls" in advance of DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount
Pictures holiday release of the long-awaited screen version of the
musical.
Dreamworks/Paramount also assisted the cast of ONE NIGHT ONLY
with wardrobe and licensed the music for the series. Nia Hill and
D"Angela Proctor Steed of The Momentum Experience/Strange Fruit Films
and Matthew Knowles of MusicWorld serve as Executive Producers of the
series.
The movie "Dreamgirls" has already earned over $77 million at the box
office (as of January 19-21) and is currently playing in 2,214 theaters.
"Dreamgirls" has already won a number of impressive accolades, 8 Academy
Award(r) nominations and 3 Golden Globes for Best Picture (Musical or
Comedy), Jennifer Hudson for Best Supporting Actress and Eddie Murphy
for Best Supporting Actor. In addition, the film was honored with 4
Broadcast Film Critic's Awards including Eddie Murphy for Supporting
Actor, Jennifer Hudson for Supporting Actress, "Listen" performed by
Beyonce for Best Song and Best Soundtrack.
About BET Networks:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc., is the
leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and
consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable
network reaches more than 84 million households according to Nielsen
media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the
Caribbean. BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop -
are brands that serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core
network. BET.com is a leading internet destination for Black
entertainment, music, culture, and news. BET Mobile delivers music,
gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices
across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a
full-scale event management and production company with festivals and
live events spanning the globe. Finally, BET International delivers BET
content to the consumers of Black culture around the world.
About The Momentum Experience:
The Momentum Experience was launched in June of 2006 by Nia Hill with
partner D'Angela Proctor Steed as an alternative marketing and
distribution company. Hill had a vision....to create content that showed
positive images of people of color. With investors such as husband and
wife power couple Duane Martin and Tisha Campbell Martin, Will Smith and
Blair Underwood, they marketed and distributed their first project with
great success...and then on to the next dream.
About Strange Fruit Films:
Strange Fruit Films is a Los Angeles-based TV and film production
company owned by entrepreneurs Nia Hill and D'Angela Proctor Steed. In
ten years, they have financed and produced hundreds of music videos,
television shows and live performance DVDs. They have also raised over
ten million dollars for five independent films. They have recently
launched a new alternative marketing and distribution company with
investing partners Duane Martin, Tisha Campbell Martin, Will Smith and
Blair Underwood.
About Dreamgirls:
"Dreamgirls" is directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay he adapted
from the stage musical's original book by Tom Eyen. An Academy Award®
winner for his screenplay for "Gods and Monsters," which he also
directed, Condon received another Oscar nomination for his screenplay
adaptation of "Chicago." He more recently wrote and directed "Kinsey."
Academy Award® -nominated producer Laurence Mark ("Jerry Maguire," "As
Good As It Gets," "I, Robot") is the producer of "Dreamgirls," and
Patricia Whitcher ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "The Terminal") is the
executive producer. The lyrics are by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry
Krieger. The creative collaborators on "Dreamgirls" include director of
photography Tobias Schliessler ("Friday Night Lights"); two-time
Oscar-winning production designer John Myhre ("Memoirs of a Geisha,"
"Chicago"); editor Virginia Katz ("Kinsey," "Gods and Monsters");
Academy Award® -nominated costume designer Sharen Davis ("Ray,"
"Antwone Fisher"); choreographer Fatima Robinson; casting director Debra
Zane ("Traffic," "American Beauty"); Tony Award-winning theatrical
lighting designers Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer ("The Producers,"
"Chicago"); music supervisors Randy Spendlove ("Chicago," "The Aviator")
and Matt Sullivan ("Rent," "Chicago"); music producers The Underdogs
(Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Pink); makeup supervisor Shutchai Tym
Buacharern ("Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"); and hair
supervisor Camille Friend ("Ray").A Laurence Mark production presented
by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, "Dreamgirls" is rated
"PG-13" for language, some sexuality, and drug content.
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