Directed by David Schweizer, the piece set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement began performances at the Pearlstone Theater Dec. 10.

E. Faye Butler, who starred in the title role of Chicago's Court Theatre production, again steps into the white dress of the "implacable, indestructible" maid Caroline Thibodeaux, a woman "caught 'tween the Devil and the muddy brown sea." Butler recently starred in Ain't Misbehavin' at The Goodman and played the title role in Northlight Theatre's hit Ella, for which she won a Jeff Award.

She is joined onstage by Aaron Bell as Jackie Thibodeaux, Danielle Lee Greaves as the Washing Machine, Joe Hickey as Stuart Gellman, Kelly McCreary as Emmie Thibodeaux, Sal Mistretta as Mr. Stopnick, Milton Craig Nealy as the Dryer/Bus, Libya Pugh as Dotty Moffat, Trisha Rapier as Rose Stopnick, John Ramsey as Grandpa Gellman, Carole Schweid as Grandma Gellman and Renn Woods as The Moon. Ta'Rea Campbell, April Nixon and Adrienne Muller collectively play the role of Caroline's radio. Bradley Bowers and Matthew Demtrides alternate in the role of Noah Gellman, and Roland Haywood and Brett Johnson alternate in the role of Joe Thibodeaux.

Centerstage is located at 700 North Calvert Street in downtown Baltimore. For tickets visit www.centerstage.org or call (410) 332-0033.

Below is a first look at the production, which runs through Jan. 18, 2009:

E. Faye Butler as Caroline, Matthew Demetrides as Noah and Milton Craig Nealy as The Dryer

Joe Hickey as Stuart Gellman		Danielle Lee Greaves as The Washing Machine

Milton Craig Nealy as The Dryer, Joe Hickey as Stuart, Trisha Rapier as Rose and Matthew Demetrides

Carole Schweid as Grandma Gellman		John Ramsey as Grandpa Gellman

Renn Woods as The Moon		Libya Pugh as Dotty Moffett

Aaron Bell as Jackie, Bradley Bowers as Noah, Kelly McCreary as Emmie and Roland Haywood as Joe

E. Faye Butler as Caroline and Bradley Bowers as Noah

Adrienne Muller, Ta'Rea Campbell and April Nixon as The Radio