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Laurence Fishburne Gives Electrifying Performance As THURGOOD In Powerful Theatrical Play About First African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND Presents Award-Wining Actor With “Award of Excellence” For His 2008 Tony Nominated Portrayal Of Late Supreme Court Justice

*On Wednesday, April 30, THURGOOD, starring Laurence Fishburne in a poignant one-man play as the tenacious Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall -- from his days waiting tables at a country club to his tenure as a United States Supreme Court Justice -- opened to a star-studded audience at the Booth Theatre on West 45th Street in Times Square for a 16-week engagement. The riveting new play by George Stevens Jr. received critical acclaim during previews and continues to live up to the notices.

In this moving role, the award-winning actor narrates the life of Marshall who rose from a childhood in the backstreets of Baltimore to the Supreme Court of the United States. Under the adroit direction of Leonard Foglia, Fishburne is triumphant in this one-man role as the first African American to sit on the United States Supreme Court and NAACP’s lead counsel in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case which garnered him a 2008 Tony Award nomination.

There should be a Marshall Law decree making this a “must see” not just for legal historians and history buffs, but for any decent human being. After his brilliant and insightful performance, Fishburne – who received numerous curtain calls because of a job well done -- was joined on stage by Mrs. Thurgood Marshall and her son Thurgood Marshall Jr. The Marshalls were visibly pleased and bestowed more pleasantries on the exceptional thespian.

During the post party celebration at the tony Bryant Park Restaurant in Bryant Park, Fishburne, joined by his beautiful wife Gina Torrez, was presented with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) “Award of Excellence” by TMCF president and CEO Dwayne Ashley and TMCF founder Dr. Joyce Payne. “It is only fitting that the TMCF recognize Laurence Fishburne for his moving portrayal of this organization’s namesake,” said Ashley. “We applaud Mr. Fishburne for his contribution to entertainment and expanding Thurgood Marshall’s legacy through this production,” added Dr. Payne.

Fishburne, the recipient of Drama Desk, Tony and Emmy awards as well as a nomination for an Academy Award, has an acting career that spans more than 35 years. Ashley noted to Fishburne during the recognition, “Just as Thurgood Marshall exemplified in his works and deeds on behalf of our nation, I present this bust in his image to you for the body of work you have done in your career. The excellence you have exemplified in your craft culminating with your brilliant portrayal of Justice Marshall this evening is the best of the best.”

The Star-studded Opening Night attracted crème de la crème from political, judicial, entertainment, sports and media communities including Vernon Jordan, Rhea Lilias White, Leslie Uggams, Charlie Rose, Cicely Tyson, Ethel Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, George Stevens Jr. (playwright), James Carville and Mary Matalin, Dwayne Ashley, Joyce Paton, Rev. Al Sharpton, Paul Newman, Tom Brokaw, Richard Kind, Leonard Foglia (director), Maria Bello, Christine Andreas, Brenda Braxton, Dee Hoty, Donna Murphy, Tanika Ray, Kathleen Marshall, Jamie de Roy, Larry Gatlin, Caroline Rhea, Leelee Sobieski, Matthew Davis and Lori Petty.

THURGOOD is produced on Broadway by Vernon Jordan, The Shubert Organization, Bill Rollnick/Nancy Ellison Rollnick, Matt Murphy, Daryl Roth/Debra Black, Roy Furman, Jam Theatricals, Lawrence Horowitz, Eric Falkenstein, Max Onstage, James D’orta, Jamie deRoy, Amy Nederlander in association with Ostar Productions and The Westport Country Playhouse (originating theatre). (Photos: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.)

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc., named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) located in 22 states with a population of well over 235,000 students. Over the last 21 years, TMCF has awarded more than $68 million in scholarships, programmatic, and capacity support. Scholarships have enabled 7,343 students to attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For more information, please visit TMCF at www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org