Award-Winning Actress Kim Staunton Heads “Pearl’s in The House”

Musical stage

Photo by Peter Lewicki on Unsplash

New musical play “Pearl’s in The House” by Los Angeles-based playwright Art Manke tells the life story of legendary African American actress and singer Pearl Bailey. Following the story of her life and career, from early beginnings singing and dancing in black nightclubs in the 1930s to performing for more presidents than any female entertainer in history, “Pearl’s in The House” takes audiences behind the scenes of Pearl’s life. As Pasadena Playhouse artistic director Sheldon Epps noted after seeing an early draft, “I was most fascinated by who she is when the lights and the camera are turned off, which is exactly what we get in Art’s play.”

Award-winning film, television, and stage actress Kim Staunton played the lead role of Pearl Bailey in workshops at Ten Chimney’s Foundation in 2017. A native of Washington, D.C., Kim Staunton studied at both the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and later the prestigious Julliard School in New York City. In her more than 35 years working in the industry, Ms. Staunton has worked in both film and television, appearing alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Eddie Murphy, and Ice Cube and has performed guest roles on shows like "City of Angels," "Army Wives," and "Law and Order," among others.

Kim Staunton has also enjoyed a long and varied career on the stage. As a guest company member for the past 14 years at the Denver Center Theater Company, she has played such varied roles as Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Rose in “Fences,” and Mama Nadi in “Ruined.” She also appeared in “The Piano Lesson” on Broadway and numerous other off-Broadway shows with the Negro Ensemble Company.

Accomplished Artistic Director Sheldon Epps

Written by playwright Art Manke, the musical “Pearl’s in the House” tells the story of trailblazing African American entertainer Pearl Bailey. From humble beginnings, she rose to stardom and friendships with US presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George H.W. Bush. According to award-winning director Sheldon Epps, “Pearl’s in the House” is a fitting tribute to the late Ms. Bailey’s outstanding career achievements. But he said what fascinated him was her life away from the lights and cameras, which is the central theme of the musical.

Like Ms. Bailey, Sheldon Epps faced challenges as an African American in the world of performing arts and entertainment, and he has emerged as an outstanding achiever. During his tenure as artistic director of the celebrated Pasadena Playhouse, he took pride in increasing African American, Latino, and Asian representation both on and off the stage. Now the artistic director emeritus of the Playhouse, his accolades include the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for his efforts and achievements at the Playhouse. He is the first head of a performing arts entity to receive the prestigious award.

Nominated for the Tony Award and Laurence Olivier Award on several occasions, Sheldon Epps developed the highly lauded musicals “Play On!” and “Blues in the Night.” He directed productions of the two shows on Broadway, in London, and at various theaters all over the world. On television, Mr. Epps has directed episodes of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Frasier,” and “Friends."