INTERVIEW: Robin Givens at Manatee Players in Bradenton to workshop new play 'Joy in the Morning'

UPDATED 7/29: 'Boomerang' star Robin Givens on staging her play 'Joy in the Morning' in Bradenton: interview

The Manatee Players announced today a joint partnership with Robin Givens to workshop "Joy in the Morning."

It's a new play with music written by the stage and screen actress best known for the starring opposite Eddie Murphy in the film "Boomerang."

The play, with cast coordination by Manatee Players’ Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby, will be work shopped and directed by Givens during the month of July at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre in downtown Bradenton.

Givens will host a reception after the final performance of "Joy in the Morning." The next production of the play will be in Toronto in October. The script was originally presented 10 years ago in a play reading at Carnegie Hall in New York.

During her month-long stay in Bradenton, Givens will be presenting a workshop two days a week for two hours each day at the Palmetto Boys and Girls Club. The course,  "The Art of Living through Acting," is open to teens and preteens.

Thirty young people will be given the opportunity learn and feel better about themselves through improvisation and rehearsed scenes.

“It is all about confidence building,” said Givens, in a statement.

Details: Performances of "Joy in the Morning" at the Manatee Players' Riverfront Theatre,  102 12th St. W., Bradenton, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on August 2 and at 8 p.m. on August 3 as a benefit for the Manatee Players. A limited number of preferred seating tickets will be available for each evening which include a private talk-back. Preferred seating tickets are $50 per person. All other seats are adult tickets at $26, students at $13 and teachers at $15. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 941-748-5875 or online at manateeplayers.com.

—Photo of Robin Givens provided by Manatee Players