Lemon Anderson brings one-man show to ASU Gammage Oct. 5-6

Tony Award winner Lemon Andersen, the critically acclaimed and award-winning stage, film and poetry artist, is set to make his Arizona premiere of his one-man autobiographical show, "County of Kings."

The show creates a vivid portrait of his adverse yet often humorous coming-of-age experiences while growing up in Brooklyn in the 80s and 90s. Andersen’s performance touches on young love, sibling rivalry, juvenile crime, addiction and ultimately personal triumph in this moving one-man journey toward self-discovery and redemption.

Tickets are on sale now for the Oct. 5-6 performances for $25 at asugammage.com and at the ASU Gammage Box Office.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, after his childhood struggles, Anderson became an acclaimed spoken word and poetry artist and was an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. Anderson also was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his writing and work on the show. He performed and sold out venues such as the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Apollo Theater, Chicago Theater and Hollywood’s Kodak Theater County of Kings was originally presented by Spike Lee at the Public Theater in New York and ran for six weeks.

Andersen’s "County of Kings" is part of ASU Gammage’s 2012-2013 BEYOND series which for 21 years has evolved into a carefully curated series that brings world-class artists into the community. The artists selected present compelling work while connecting with Valley residents through artist residency programs, master classes and public performances.

The Beyond series is made possible Margaret T. Morris Foundation, The Way Family/Way Family Charitable Foundation, Reverend Jenny Norton and Bob Ramsey, US Airways, APS, NEFA and media partner KJZZ and KBAQ.