Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA will present Jar the Floor by Cheryl L. West from Jan. 26-March 3, officially opening Jan. 30.

Jar the Floor is a comical play is about five women from four generations of an African-American family. These women convene in the suburbs of Chicago to celebrate the 90th birthday of their senile yet wise matriarch, MaDear (Pat Bowie). Attending the celebration is middle-aged Lola (Margo Moorer), the daughter of MaDear, whose favorite pastime is chasing after men. Lola's daughter is Maydee (Terry Burrell), a single mother and a diligent professor hoping for tenure. Emotions stir as the family reunion takes place.

The heat rises on MaDear's birthday, the day Maydee will find out whether or not she will receive tenure. It is also the day that Maydee's daughter, Vennie (Saycon Sengbloh), arrives with her lover, a white woman named Raisa (Laurie Strickland), who is a breast cancer survivor.

This play deals with relationships between family members, specifically the mother-daughter connection. Conflicts are inevitable between family members and themes of guilt, favoritism and high expectations emerge. Along with its mix of comedy and seriousness, Jar the Floor offers a taste of African-American folklore, too.

Andrea Frye will stage Jar the Floor for Alliance Theatre. Previous directing credits include Home, The Colored Museum, Spunk, and Do Lord Remember Me. For more information please call (404)733-5000 or visit www.alliancetheatre.org. — By Zoe Andrada