Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Sheron Smith, Toni Belafonte, Sandy Daley and Taylor Jenkins-Thompson Join the New York Cast of The Pocketbook Monologues

Additional celebrities join the cast of a provocative and entertaining on-stage production, The Pocketbook Monologues, shedding light on Black women's sexuality, intimacy, and responsibility and continued awareness of the HIV/AIDS impact in the African-American female community.

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 20, 2008 -- The producers of The Pocketbook Monologues announce the addition of Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Sheron Smith, Toni Belafonte, Sandy Daley and Taylor Jenkins-Thompson who will join the cast. The new cast members will share the stage with Kim Coles, Jacque Reid, and creator Sharon K. McGhee at the Helen Mills Theatre on June 28.
   
The Pocketbook Monologues is a stirring collection of sexuality and intimacy stories written by McGhee to generate awareness and increase continued understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and it's impact on the lives of African-American women. The words of the stage play are made even more powerful by the dynamic performances of its all-star cast, including its five newest additions.

Phyllis Yvonne Stickney has been recognized by Essence magazine as one of the 200 African-American women who have changed the world. Most fans know Stickney from roles in such notable films as New Jack City, What's Love Got To Do With It and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Stickney is also a writer, clothing designer and the founder of Alternative Careers in the Arts, a community based non-profit organization. No stranger to the stage, the former two-time winner of the AUDELCO Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre is sure to light up the stage in The Pocketbook Monologues.

When she's not launching and organizing outreach programs or busy with her production company, Good Tree Media, Sheron Smith is overseeing the career of her son, hip-hop phenom Mos Def. Smith has managed her son since he was nine years old. Since then he's rocked stages all over the world and received acclaim for his film, television and theater roles. Now Sheron Smith follows in her son's footsteps as she takes the stage in one of the most provocative theatrical productions of the year.

Toni Belafonte is as versatile as she is beautiful. The former Division I collegiate athlete is an established model who has appeared in Vogue and on BET's Rip the Runway. She's also appeared in the stage play …Star of the Picture Show… and in the films Redemption Sunset and Grasslands. Though the daughter of Harry Belafonte, one of the industry's most celebrated African-American entertainers, Toni Belafonte is proving that she can hold her own.

New York radio host Sandy Daley has been charming the radio listeners of her new drive time talk show, "The Daily Mixx," heard Tuesday afternoons from 6-7pm on WVIP, 93.5 FM. "The Daily Mixx" focuses mainly on female issues such as relationships, family, money, politics, and beauty. In addition to being a radio personality, she is a talented actress whose credits include film, stage, and music videos. Film critics have described Daley as a young Susan Sarandon, with the range and charisma of Angela Bassett.

Taylor Yvonne Celeste Jenkins-Thompson, a Harlem native, will be featured in the Coin Purse role. Taylor is a versatile and committed member of the Junior Scholars Program at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture where her major is Internet Radio. She has studied dance at The Dance Theater of Harlem, as well as the violin, Spanish; in addition she studied visual arts at The Children's Art Carnival of Harlem. Her future aspiration is to become a doctor specializing in children born with the AIDS virus.

This year The Pocketbook Monologues celebrates its New York City premiere with a special performance on June 28, 2008 at the Helen Mills Theatre. In celebration of this historic event, special guests will be honored in an inaugural Pocketbook Honors award following the performance. Nationally acclaimed speaker, and founder of the Magnificent Women Organization, Cheryl Scales, will present the award. Tickets are $35.00 for General Admission and $75.00 for VIP Seating, which also includes an autographed copy of The Pocketbook Monologues. 'Meet & Greet' Private Celebrity Reception tickets are also available. R.A.P.H.A. Foundation Inc., The Muse New York, and Magnificent Women Organization are supporters of this entertaining event.

For more information about the show, or to purchase tickets, visit www.tpbmnyc.com.

# # #