PR2012 Dec 17

Contact:

Adam Miller, Managing Director

(205) 391--‐2925 / amiller@sheltonstate.edu

Amelia Webber, Media Contact

(205) 391--‐2277 / awebber@sheltonstate.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA PRESENTS “BUBBA” BY MICHAEL THOMAS WALKER

December 17, 2012 (TUSCALOOSA, AL) Theatre Tuscaloosa will present “Bubba” January 17--‐19 in the Alabama Power Recital Hall om Shelton State’s Martin Campus. A clever mix of humorous one--‐liners, engaging anecdotes and poignant relevation, “Bubba” takes audiences through a son’s journey as he learns the truth about his father’s death and discovers closure in the strangest of places.

“Bubba,” a one-man show written and performed by Huntsville native and University of Alabama graduate Michael Thomas Walker, is a touching story inspired by true events. After his father’s death in 2011, Walker, a graduating MFA theatre student at Rutgers' Mason Gross School of the Arts, spent nine months researching his father’s life and conducting interviews with those who knew him. Through this independent study, Walker was able to come to terms with his father’s death and from there he went on to do what any good actor would do: take the story to the stage.

Michael recently performed “Bubba” as a part of the United Solo Theater Festival in New York, where his show was awarded “Best Variety Show.”

While ‘Bubba” is the first show Walker has written, he is no stranger to the stage. After graduating from The University of Alabama, Walker moved to New York City where he performed in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” at the Brooklyn Gallery Players. From there he joined the national tour of “Seussical” playing the starring role of Horton. He then went on to play Edna Turnblad in the national tour of “Hairspray” and repeat the role at The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia under the direction of Charles Abbott.

“Thanks to a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, we are thrilled to be able to bring Michael home for this Second Stage Production,” Tina Turley, Executive Producer, said.

“I had the priviledge to direct and act with Michael while he was a student at The University of Alabama. He is an amazing artist and I am glad to see him adding award-winning playwright to his list of growing accomplishments. We are glad to bring him back to share his work in his home state.”

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2012-13 Season: Rockin’ & Rollin’ in the Aisles is presented in cooperation with Shelton State Community College and is sponsored by Tanner Guin & Crowell LLC, Jamison Money Farmer and AL.com. This production of “Bubba” is made possible through a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

“Bubba” will be presented January 17, 18 and 19 in the Alabama Power Recital Hall on Shelton State Community College’s Martin Campus, 9500 Old Greensboro Road. Performances will take place Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to “Bubba” will cost $5 each, and seating will be general admission. Please note that “Bubba” contains adult language and is intended for mature audiences. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.theatretusc.com or call (205) 391--‐2277.

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Media Note: If you would like to arrange to cover a performance of Bubba, a limited number of complimentary press passes are available. Contact Adam Miller or Amelia Webber at (205) 391--‐2277 to make arrangements.

Theatre Tuscaloosa is a not--‐for--‐profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1972 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.