UP Presents The Original Movie The Dempsey Sisters

ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UP, America's favorite channel for uplifting entertainment, presents the UP Original Movie The Dempsey Sisters, which follows a family's dramatic pursuit of a musical dream, and stars Cymphonique Miller, Denyce Lawton, Teairra Mari, MC Lyte, Valarie Pettiford, Antwon Tanner, Lynn Whitfield, Clifton Powell, Taj En'Phiniti and Dom Santana.  Produced by Eric Tomosunas' Swirl Films, Roger Melvin (Sugar Mommas, Love Will Keep Us Together) directs from a screenplay by Siddeeqah Powell (NAACP Image Award-nominated Somebody's Child, Love Will Find A Way).  The Dempsey Sisters will premiere exclusively on UP on Saturday, November 2 at 7 p.m. EDT, with encores at 9 and 11 p.m. EDT.

Petite, take-charge, 27-year-old Deena Dempsey (Denyce Lawton) has been working unenthusiastically as a personal assistant for sophisticated, multi-millionaire socialite Olivia Norman (Lynn Whitfield).  Recognizing that Deena's heart just isn't in the job, Olivia decides it's time to push the little birdie out of the nest and lets her go.  Understandably upset, Deena turns for comfort to her middle sister Sheena (Teairra Mari), an endlessly practical, 25-year old massage therapist, and younger sister Tina (Cymphonique Miller), a free-spirited 22-year old trying to find her way in life.  With time on her hands, Deena reevaluates her life and eventually decides to revisit a cherished childhood dream.  The Dempsey Sisters performed together as a singing group when they were kids, but disbanded when a record deal never materialized.  When their big brother, Thad (Antwon Tanner), a charming, fit 29-year old, brings home his new wife, Ava (TAJ En'Phiniti), who has some surprising talents, and announces plans to focus on music management full-time, the stars seem to align for the sisters – or do they.  While their parents Theo (Clifton Powell) and Elizabeth (Valarie Pettiford) want to see their children succeed, not everyone is on board with the reunion plan.  It's going to take practice, commitment, money for studio time and savvy marketing to start.  But if Theo can talk his way through music label assistant Andre (Dom Santana) to the major exec Taylor Powell (MC Lyte), then maybe the Dempsey family really can all live their dreams.

"The Dempsey Sisters is a special story about three sisters who decide to put the family band back together when several of the siblings fall on hard times," said Barbara Fisher, svp, original programming, UP. "Through their love of music, the Dempseys come together and find the uplifting inspiration to face life's hardships."

UP presents a Swirl Films production.  The Dempsey Sisters stars Cymphonique Miller, Denyce Lawton, Teairra Mari, MC Lyte, Valarie Pettiford, Antwon Tanner, Lynn Whitfield, Clifton Powell, TAJ En'Phiniti and Dominic Santana.  Directed by Roger Melvin.  Executive produced by Denyce Lawton.  Co-produced by Drue Powell.  Produced by Eric Tomosunas, David Eubanks, Keith Neal.  Director of Photography is George Su.  Editor is Charles Stewart Jr.  Screenplay by Siddeeqah Powell. 

For more information, please go to www.UPtv.com/TheDempseySisters.

Follow our cast at:

• Cymphonique Miller on Twitter @Cymphonique
• Denyce Lawton on Twitter @DenyceLawton
• Teairra Mari on Twitter @Teairra_Mari
• MC Lyte on Twitter @mclyte
• Valarie Pettiford on Twitter @MissP160
• Antwon Tanner on Twitter @antwon_tanner
• Lynn Whitfield on Twitter @MsLynnWhitfield 
• Dominic Santana on Twitter @DominicSantana

About UP
UP (www.uptv.com) is America's favorite network for uplifting family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies, series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. The UP brand is reflected in "Uplift Someone," the network's successful pro-social initiative.  UP can be seen in more than 65 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FIOS on channel 224. Follow UP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UPtv, Twitter on @UPtv and Instagram at UP_TV.

About Swirl Films
Swirl Films (www.swirlfilms.com), America's "number one urban film production company," focuses on independent features and multi-camera productions.  Recent films include 2012 ABFF Best Narrative Feature, Best Actress and Best Director winner The Under Shepherd, 35 & Ticking and Percentage, with Flavor Unit Production (Queen Latifah & Shakim Compere).  Swirl Films is a major content provider for UP. Most recently, Swirl Films produced The Perfect Summer, starring Eric Roberts, Sydney Penny and Jason Castro in his TV acting debut.  In addition, hit programming includes She's Still Not Our Sister, Sugar Mommas, and the Wedding Vow Series.  Additional original productions include: Love For Sale, Something Like A Business, TV One's Roast and Toast of John Witherspoon and Just Another Day.

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