Culture, art, education… Showtimers Theatre is at it again… with their new season’s first production they bring these and more to the Roanoke Valley. Romulus Linney’s adaptation of “A Lesson Before Dying,” based on the novel written by Ernest J. Gaines was a best seller on the New York Times’ list for many weeks and it was even selected by Oprah Winfrey for her book club.

The show opens at Showtimers on Wednesday, February 13 and runs through Sunday, February 24th. It’s no accident that the play was chosen to be staged this month… “We chose to stage the production in February to honor Black History Month as well as the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation,” said director Patrick Kennerly.

The cast includes James Wise, Jr. in the lead role as the plantation teacher, Grant Wiggins. Others in the cast include Barry Bedwell as Sheriff Sam Guidry, Tim Kennard as Deputy Paul Bonin, Mike Johnson as the main character, Jefferson, Aisha Mitchell as Vivian Baptiste, Barbara Sanders as Emma Glenn, and well-known local musician, William Penn as Reverend Moses Ambrose.

February 13 – 24

Wednesdays – Saturdays 8 p.m.

Sundays 2 p.m.

Adults $12; age 18 and under $5

Reserved seating: 774-2660 or (877) 336-9294