Features

The Ru Report #126

Real Divas Live
Divafied diva Sheryl Lee Ralph is a woman after my own heart. The multi-dimensional diva has a near 30-year career that has transcended entertainment mediums such as the stage, television, recorded music and movies.

Though the current generation of boob-tube watchers may always remember her Dee Mitchell on UPN's ground-breaking hit sitcom "Moesha," Ms. Ralph's legacy dates back to the mid-1970s when she--as the first female to graduate from Rutger's College--missed her graduation ceremony to tape a Skippy's Peanut Butter commercial. She went on to land her first movie appearance in 1977's A Piece Of The Action.

Since then, she's appeared in dozens of TV and film projects, including feminist friendly fare like the sitcoms "It's A Living" and "Designing Women" and the defunct soap opera "Search For Tomorrow."

But Sheryl Lee Ralph will always be endeared as a Broadway darling: In 1982 she was honored with a Tony Award nomination in the category of Best Actress in a musical for her dazzling performance as Deena Jones, the lead diva in the legendary "Dreamgirls."

But enough about her past. Let's consider the present.

Tonight (March 1), Ms. Ralph will bring her true labor of love to New York City for the first time ever with a special presentation of her near 15-year fundraising effort, "Divas Simply Singing" at the Show Nightclub. The bill for the showcase boasts a virtual who's who of Broadway's powerhouse vocalists, including Lillias White, BJ Crosby, Ebony Jo-Ann, Adriane Lennox, and Alyson Williams amongst others.

"'Divas Simply Singing' is now 14 years old and still friends died so I must continue to raise my voice in song and remembrance as we fight the good fight against HIV/AIDS," the half-Jamaican mother of two shares with The Ru Report, "I am so happy to be able to be able to share the DIVA experience with an east coast audience."

In 1991, Ms. Ralph created the critically acclaimed "Divas Simply Singing" in Los Angeles, a staged evening of song and entertainment featuring some of the most talented female entertainers in film, stage, television and recording. This annual event has become one of the most important and highly anticipated AIDS benefits in Hollywood.

"I created 'Divas' as a memorial to the many friends that I had lost while doing 'Dreamgirls' on Broadway," she continues, "It is hard to believe that just 20 years ago nobody wanted to talk about HIV/AIDS. I remember being told that I should just 'Shut up about this AIDS thing because if I kept it up my career would suffer" I couldn't stop because my friends had been good people and their passing and suffering could not be swept away like they didn't matter."

For her first Big Apple engagement, Ms. Ralph joins forces with B2: Productions (producers of the wildly popular "Black 2: Broadway" series) to launch the East Coast version of this successful DIVA fundraiser for people living with AIDS.

The event tonight marks the beginning of "Black 2: Broadway"'s third consecutive year of great performance programming with another all-star event in New York City. Proceeds from this event will benefit AIDS cares charities through Ms. Ralph's 501c3 DIVA Foundation.

"As we were looking over what proved to be an amazing year, we felt that our community was looking to us to make a difference," adds Kevin-Anthony, who is a co-founder, co-principal and sometimes host of "Black 2: Broadway." "To make sure that we were honoring our commitment to give back, we decided that we would produce a benefit for an organization that is making a difference to people of color."

"When I created The Diva Foundation, I wanted to do more than help broke down divas with their wigs, weaves and wefts and opted to assist those grass roots organizations that help those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS with attention to women and children," Ms. Ralph adds. She also is in the process of launching a line of candles to aid in her continued fund-raising efforts, soon to be available via her website.

In addition to the aforementioned tony talents, the show will also feature recording session and gospel favorite Melonie Daniels, cabaret artist Natalie Douglas, from "American Idol 2004" Kira, 5-year-old spoken word sensation Autum and other major surprises. According to a spokesperson, the all-women show will deviate from the usual "Black 2: Broadway" formula by inviting eight artists to perform two diva numbers each being accompanied by piano only.

"We have been so blessed to have the support of some of the most incredible artists around that it continues to blow our minds," Mr. Anthony reveals about the steady stream of stellar talent the showcase attracts. "We believe that the artists realize that we created this event to honor them, their talents and their accomplishments. We don't have financial sponsors and yet we provide them with a polished upscale show. We take pride in the little things so that the artists feel special. And they are, we believe so much in their gifts and know that like us so many people love them and want to hear more and more from them. So they understand our vision and want to be apart of it."

"Black 2: Broadway" continues to spread its wings. For its third year, the plan of expansion includes showcases in major cities to be announced. And after tonight, Ms. Ralph hopes to bring "Divas Simply Singing" to television, along with a national tour. But until then, she has her annual film festival to manage, two children to raise and starring roles to mull over.

Pearls Of Wisdom
It's good to know that African American stories are continuing to be told in the non-fiction arena. I recently learned of a few great projects worthy of praise, and steady reading (especially for this younger generation of music video viewing youth).

In A Wealth of Wisdom: Legendary African American Elders Speak (Atria), fifty extraordinary Americans, aged 70 and above, share the inspiring gift of their life lessons. Compiled by producer and educator Camille O. Cosby (wife of the famous Bill) and Emmy-winning broadcast

journalist/documentary filmmaker Renee Poussaint and featuring portraits by famed photographer Howard Bingham, A Wealth of Wisdom offers us invaluable perspectives into the history and culture of America across a wide spectrum of narratives, reflecting politics (including Edward Brooke, Shirley Chisholm, David Dinkins, Andrew Young), social activism (Dorothy Height, Dick Gregory, Coretta Scott King), the arts (Maya Angelou, Gordon Parks, Ray Charles, Katherine Dunham, Elizabeth Catlett, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Carmen de Lavallade, Geoffrey Holder), plus others from the areas of education, religion, business, journalism, the military and justice. The book draws from the extensive video archive of interviews conducted by the National Visionary Leadership Project (NVLP), an intergenerational non-profit organization founded by and under the direction of Dr. Cosby and Ms. Poussaint.

Also, our good, good folks over at Essence has something to offer.

Edited by Patricia Mignon Hinds, with an introduction by the grand dame of the mag, Susan L. Taylor, "Wisdom of the Ages: Extraordinary People 19 to 90" is a collection of inspirational words and stunning photographs of dynamic African-Americans from all walks of life. The recently-released coffee-table book highlights life stories from well-known as well as everyday people, whose words of wisdom will uplift, enlighten and inspire all readers. Featuring stories of faith, love, overcoming, healthy living, shaping up and living to the fullest, this exquisite book will empower all to live their best, in all arenas of life. Queen Latifah, Samuel L. Jackson, Beyonce Knowles, Bernie Mac, Jill Scott, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry are some of the celebrity notables who are featured.

Stages
Two opening nights within a week's period. Oh, the big apple. Nothing compares.

First up is Manhattan Theatre Club's presentation of "Drowning Crow" by Regina Taylor at the Biltmore Theater. Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Peter Francis James, Ebony Jo-Ann, Stephanie Berry, Anthony Mackie, and Alfre Woodard, the abstract play mixes multimedia elements in with an up-to-date, current twist on Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull." Directed by Marion McClinton, "Drowning Crow," takes place on the Gullah Islands off the coast of modern-day South Carolina, as a family of African-American artists comes together for a momentous and sometimes strenuous few days. Ms. Woodard plays family matriarch, classical actress Josephine Nicholas Ark Trip. She is indeed a trip with her southern neo-British dialect and a voluptuous physique that has stood the test of time. Mr. Mackie, last seen in the Great White Way in the short-lived "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" plays is her tormented son, performance artist Constantine Trip, a.k.a. C-Trip. The beautiful Ms. Ellis plays aspiring actress Hannah Jordan, while the dashing Peter Francis James plays TV writer Robert Alexander Trigor.

I started off hating this play, then grew to like it. Overall, it was entirely too long and a little disjointed in revealing the actual dynamics of the mother and son relationship. But, I think the performances alone are worth seeing. Masterful, to say the least. One of the surprising highlights was experiencing the powerhouse vocal bravado of Ms. Jo-Ann, who gives much gusto with her hearty delivery in the few songs she sang. I mean, this woman can sing me the yellow pages. She's one of the greatest voices I've ever heard on the New York stage.

The fabulous post-performance soiree was held at the new and hip midtown Latin-flavored hot-spot Noche, and brought out some of New York's finest, including living legends Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, sexy stage and soap star Tamara Tunie, platinum-plated pop singer turned Broadway star Deborah Cox, the incomparable Lynn Whitfield along with actors Mary Alice, Wren T. Brown, Keith David, S. Epatha Merkinson, Viola Davis, Roger Guenveur Smith and multiple Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. "Drowning Crow" is scheduled for a limited run.

Next up, hip-hop mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is really getting into the swing of things. He's been spotted at several plays around the city with his entourage--including his acting coach--to gear up for his starring role in the upcoming Broadway revival of "A Raisin In The Sun."

But he's not the only headline-grabber who showed up to catch Mary J. Blige make her New York stage debut for her one-week performance at the critically-acclaimed play "The Exonerated." Animal rights protesters were out in full force outside of the downtown 45 Bleecker Street venue causing all sorts of ruckus blaring signage denouncing the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul for her fur-wearing. The protesters (about 15-deep) were even carrying around a simulated bloodied carcass of once fur-line animals. It was a bit unnerving. Inside, the performance space was packed with all sorts of people, including a large throng of law students from area colleges.

While the Grammy Award-winning Queen of Hip-Hop Soul isn't anybody's Meryl Streep (who, ironically, is actually one of the shows' producers), she held her own for the one and a half hour, no intermission set. Ms. Blige took on the role of self-proclaimed hippie Sunny Jacobs, who literally was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her twisted fate lands her to lose more than 15 years of her life in the penile system before resuming her life as a free woman. It gets deep.

Directed by Bob Balaban, "The Exonerated" consists of ten actors, six stories and one stage. It's an explosively poignant look into the lives of former death row inmates. Since arriving Off-Broadway in the fall of 2002, the play has attracted a plethora of noted thespians to appear, and received numerous awards including a 2002-2003 Lucille Lortel Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Champion of Justice Award, and Court TV's Annual Scales of Justice Award. Although it's closing its doors in New York this weekend, it has spun-off into a national tour.

Music Notes
The incomparable Ray Charles, a thirteen-time Grammy Award-winner and inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has teamed with independent record label Concord Records to release a duets project that will feature a who's who of musical guests. The yet-to-be-named CD is scheduled for release in late August. Norah Jones, BB King, Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor are just a few of the notable artists already announced for the project. During a career that spans nearly six decades, Mr. Charles has appeared on over 250 recordings, many of them top-sellers, across a variety of genres. And, while he has performed with various artists in the past, this Concord Records release will be his first full album of duets. Also due for release this year is a feature film based on Mr. Charles' life story, Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story starring Jamie Foxx, which is still awaiting distribution.

For the next month, New York's Eyejammie Fine Arts Gallery will celebrate the images of women in hip-hop with a photo exhibit entitled "Work It." Curated by Dr. Isolde Brielmaier, the show presents sparkling images of the most talented women ever to rock a mike, run a record label, cut up a record, bomb a train or spin on her next. Showcasing photos of female hip-hoppers onstage, on the street, in the studio, in the subway, on the set of music videos, movies, and television shows, and chilling behind the scenes with their friends, colleagues, husbands and children, the ladies of "Work It!" include Sylvia Robinson, Lady Pink, Sequence (featuring a young Angie Stone), Sha-Rock, Roxanne Shante, Sparky D, Salt-N-Pepa-N-Spinderella, MC Lyte, Jazzy Joyce, Ms. Melodie, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Yo Yo, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Aaliyah, Ashanti, Eve, Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill and Free, among others. Featured photographers are Charlie Ahearn, Janette Beckman, Michael Benabib, Martha Cooper, David Corio, Julie Gueraseva, Sue Kwon, Diana McClure, Al Pereira, Ricky Powell, Coreen Simpson, Maggie Trakas, Val Wilmer, and my dear pal, photographer-to-the-stars Ronnie Wright. "This show is going to blow up the commonly-held misconception that women in hip-hop must be 'bitches' or 'ho's,'" says Dr. Brielmaier. The peculiarly-named Eyejammie holds the distinction as the only fine arts gallery in New York dedicated to the art and photography of hip-hop. It is located in New York at 516 W.25th, and owned and operated by hip-hop veteran Bill Adler. For more information, log onto the official website at eyejammie.com.

Lastly, this next item may be deemed as a conflict of interests but keep in mind that I deliver the news, not make it. (Well, not most of the time.) Ace urban entertainment publicist Lisa Rhinehart recently sent me a copy of her latest independent project: the hip-hop porn magazine Fish & Grits. With the marketing of baby thugs, and UPN sitcoms and cell-phone ring tones, the urban music genre keeps going and going and going. For the inaugural edition of Fish & Grits, Wu-Tang Clan front-man Method Man appears on the cover with adult film star Solveig in a provocative pose. But that doesn't come close to what are between the pages of the magazine.

Think: An updated, sepia spin on Hustler.

And a woman is partly responsible for what is being branded as a 'landmark' publication. "We are excited to bring together two of the most popular forms of urban entertainment," said Fish 'N' Grits co-founder and publisher Camille Burgos in a statement. "Hip-Hop artists and porn stars have always had a natural curiosity about each other, which makes their interaction both unpredictable and intriguing."

And we thought Janet Jackson and Justin Timberfake at the Superbowl was something.

The bi-monthly magazine aims to celebrate Black and Latino adult film actresses, allowing them to go one-on-one with chart-topping recording artists in racy photo shoots and explicit Q&A sessions. Just what the doctor ordered. The publishers of Fish 'N' Grits are Joe Fatal, Ms. Burgos and Sharif Profit. The mag is quickly approaching a circulation of 100,000 units in 5 major markets including New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Upcoming issues will feature Redman, Treach, Snoop Dogg, porn star India, Mystikal, Jadakiss, Trina, Trick Daddy and Lil' Kim with Lexington Steele.

Notable/Quotable (s)
"Why did I ever write that? Look, I'm proud that the word is in the dictionary, but it drives me nuts. Change it to 'beautylicious.'"
--Multimedia superstar Beyonce Knowles on the infamous terminology.

"He is a disaster waiting to happen. He's bigger than he ever was before. Under any circumstances, to carry that kind of weight around is bad for you. Rueben's weight is literally out of control"
--Brash, British and Brazen TV Personality Simon Cowell on 2003's American Idol full-figured-ness.

You might trick me once, but ya won't trick me twice.

Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com

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