As part of a series of five premiere performances nationwide, DJF and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will co-present LOUIS, a silent film directed by Dan Pritzker and starring Jackie Earle Haley, Shanti Lowry and Anthony Coleman. The film features live musical accompaniment by Wynton Marsalis, renowned pianist Cecile Licad and a 10-piece all-star jazz ensemble that includes Sherman Irby, Victor Goines, Marcus Printup, Ted Nash, Kurt Bacher, Vincent Gardner, Wycliffe Gordon, Dan Nimmer, Carlos Henriquez, Ali Jackson and conductor Andy Farber. Marsalis will play a score comprised primarily of his own compositions, and Licad will play the music of 19th century American composer L.M. Gottschalk. Partial proceeds from the concert will benefit Providence Saint Mel School in Chicago, Ill., in honor of Paul J. Adams III.
Shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond as a modern re-imagining of early silent film, LOUIS is an homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, beautiful women and the birth of American music. The grand Storyville bordellos, alleys and cemeteries of 1907 New Orleans provide a backdrop of lust, blood and magic for six-year-old Louis as he navigates the colorful intricacies of life in the city. Young Louis’ dreams of playing the trumpet are interrupted by a chance meeting with a beautiful and vulnerable girl named Grace (Lowry) and her baby, Jasmine. Haley, in a performance reminiscent of the great comic stars of the silent screen, plays the evil Judge Perry who is determined not to let Jasmine’s true heritage derail his candidacy for governor.
LOUIS is a companion piece to Pritzker’s BOLDEN, starring Anthony Mackie, Wendell Pierce and Lowry. BOLDEN will be released theatrically in 2011. For additional information visit www.louisthemovie.com
Tickets to LOUIS range in price from $19 to $60, with a limited number of box seats available for $99. Tickets may be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit); by calling 313.576.5111; or online at www.detroitsymphony.com. Seniors (60 and over) and students with a valid student ID can purchase 50% off RUSH tickets at the box office 90 minutes prior to concerts, based on availability. For group discount information (10 people or more), please contact Chuck Dyer at (313) 576-5130 or cdyer@dso.org.
