Features

The Ru Report #166

Give My Regards … Black Out
Event producers Kevin Anthony and Sean Hollingsworth are on a mission.

For the past four years, the two best friends have been crafting their vision (and labor) of love in the form of an intimate and inclusive quarterly showcase honoring performers of color of the stage. The events, known as Black: 2 Broadway (widely documented in this very outlet), has assembled some of the biggest and brightest stars on, off and around the Great White Way at some of New York city’s most popular performance venues.

“We celebrate the theatrical arts,” explained the always-vibrant Mr. Anthony, during a recent interview with “The RU Report.” “No matter if you toured on a national urban theater tour, or played in a theater not even considered Off-Off Broadway, we have a home for you.”

“That’s if you have the chops,” he added, referring to Black 2: Broadway’s rapturous patrons--some who are as discerning as the audience from Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night.

“Nevertheless, we want to commemorate our culture and the so many people who contribute and cultivate it.”

Mr. Anthony, who has toured in productions of “Dreamgirls” and “Grease,” met Mr. Hollingsworth, “many moons ago,” while they were back up singers for Tammy Faye Baker.

Yes.

That Tammy Faye Baker. With the mascara!

The two of them hit it off and have been best friends ever since. Not only do they share vocal abilities--and can take command of the stage (if I must add)--they are keepers of the flame. During the turn of the century, the two creative spirits hatched a plan to bring forth something that was missing in New York City--home of The Great White Way: an artist-friendly outlet where Black talent in the theater world can be displayed, live and raw.

Since its April 2002 debut at the B.B. King nightclub, located in the heart of Times Square, a virtual who’s who of talent have been through the doors and on the stage. For their fist show, which was a sell-out, Tony Award winners Lillias White and Savion Glover worked their magic, along with vocal powerhouse Billy Porter. Folks--ranging in an array of theatrical fields--whom have lent their time and talent to the cause includes Phylicia Rashad, Marva Hicks, Maurice Hines, Chuck Cooper, Adriane Lenox. Chester Gregory, Desiree Coleman-Jackson, BJ Crosby, Cheryl Freeman, Alyson Williams, Ruth Brown, Michael McElroy and The Broadway Inspirational Voices, Malik Yoba, Peggy Blue, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, and the list goes on and on and on.

“African American performers have contributed so much to the landscape of the actual art of stage performing, on such a diverse level,” added Mr. Hollingsworth, who mostly handles the business relations for the not-for-profit initiative.

So for the latest installment of Black 2: Broadway, the two visionaries are getting into the Tony Award mix--with some much needed flavor. On Sunday, June 5, a special celebration honoring past Tony Award winners and nominees of color will take place at the swank, east side hot-spot Opia New York.

The inspiration, Mr. Anthony explained, came from the lack thereof an event of this ilk. “Here we are in 2005 and we have had Tony Award winners of color since 1947 with Jose Ferrer winning best Actor in a Play for "Cyrano de Bergerac" to Phylicia Rashad winning best Actress in a Play for "A Raisin In The Sun" in 2004 and we still aren't properly honored,” he said. “After chatting with several past winners--I won't mention their names--it was brought to our attention how they were not asked to participate in the Tony festivities as much as their white counterparts were.

“Now let me stress this is not about whining or complaining,” the Boston native son continued, “This is about taking responsibility for our own. Complaining will do nothing. We love our community and are proud of our accomplishments, so when they win it is a reminder to so many other actors/performers that they can achieve the same.”

“It was just a natural response to honor them. Many of us will be watching the awards that evening so why not share in it together. This way we show our support by letting the winners/nominees past and future know that we are with them and proud of them. There is nothing better for an actor than the support of their community.”

“Well there's always money, he deadpanned, “but that's another story.”

Three time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle (“Miss Saigon,” “The Tap Dance Kid,” “Sophisticated Ladies”) and Tony Award winners Melba Moore (“Purlie”), Lillias White (“The Life”) and Chuck Cooper (“The Life”) have already endorsed the event and are scheduled to attend.

The evening will consist of a giant screen live broadcast of The American Theater Wing’s 59th Annual Tony Awards, a sumptuous dinner, musical performances and live music.

“It will be an elegant evening with friends watching the awards,” beamed Mr. Hollingsworth. ”The twist will be that during the commercial breaks, guests will be honored by a live special selection from many past Tony Award winners and nominees.”

“We will also be announcing a new non-profit corporation we have established and a $1000 rent subsidy that will be awarded to a performer of color,” he revealed.

So with Ms. Lenox, who won a Drama Desk Award earlier this week for her star turn in the Pulitzer Prize winning play “Doubt” and living legends James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad all up for Tony Awards this year, will it be hard poaching high caliber talent from the New York theater world’s big night?

“It ain't poaching if it is already on your land,” Mr. Hollingsworth smiled. “The artists who will participate with us on this evening are the essence of Black 2: Broadway. They are already ours and us theirs. I think, schedules allowing, we will not have an issue with talent.”

Mr. Anthony said that he hoped the outcome of this inaugural Tony Award event will become annual. As a true advocate for the vocation, he also wants more. I am hoping that the Tony committee will begin to invite our past winners to be more involved during the televised broadcast, and to special events.”

He continued to run down a laundry list of other hoped outcomes, including “the Black community going out to see more shows,” and “for our folks with resources to join together and producer our own pieces, tell our own stories.”

Seems like more than wishful thinking, to me. My beloved mother always said ‘where there is a will, there’s a way.”

I guess in Black 2: Broadway’s case, it’s always a Great White Way.

“First it just starts with deciding to do it,” Mr. Anthony concluded. “Once you mention it or put it out there then you have to deliver. And we are going to do just that.”

Tickets are available at www.TheaterMania.com or by calling 212-352-0255

Five On It
It’s a great season on the Great White Way (and beyond). And even though Broadway is plagued by the absence of originality (like other entertainment industries), the old adage of ‘what’s old is new’ is ringing quite true. Here’s a brief listing of some high profile shows worth the time, and the money.

One play to see this season is the over the top, drug infused romp, “Hurly Burly,” which recently opened at the spacious and new 37 Arts complex, just steps away from the Jacob Javitz Convention Center. While one of the selling points of the show (to some) is Ethan Hawke (and the image of his taut bum), the star that truly shines in this Scott Elliott-directed work of art is Bobby Cannavale, who is making quite a name for himself. Ever since he nearly stole every scene he was in during the short-lived Sidney Lumet series “100 Centre Street,” the Union City, New Jersey native has been one to watch. In the revival of David Rabe’s acclaimed play, Lena Horne’s ex-grandson-in-law plays the tall and tan cokehead Phil. Set in the Hollywood Hills during the mid-1980s, it depicts the addled lives of four Los Angeles men caught in love-hate relationships with Hollywood women--a brutally comic reflection on the decade of decadence. Josh Hamilton, Catherine Kellner, Parker Posey, Wallace Shawn and Halley Wegryn Gross round out the cast of the show, which is presented by The New Group in association with Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum & The Kennedy/Marshall Company. “Hurly” is the first show to play in 37 Arts, which is a 50,000 square-foot, 6-story building set to house a unique combination of commercial and non-profit arts organizations including three live theater spaces.

And going from one extreme to another. The legendary “La Cage Aux Folles” has made its way back to the boards for a new generation of drag-queens (and the people who love them) to revel in. Currently playing at the Marquis Theater, the Jerry Zaks-directed spectacle features a Tony Award-winning cast of characters. With a Tony-winning score by Jerry Herman and a Tony-winning book by Harvey Fierstein, the production also stars Tony Award winner Gary Beach as Albin and the Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winning actor Robert Goulet in the role of Georges. That’s heavy. And with James L. Nederlander, Clear Channel Entertainment and the astonishing Martin Richards as producers, the fantastical farce can’t go wrong. And the legs on the broads that make up the chorus is worth the trip.

And for a true jolt of testosterone, “Glengarry Glen Ross” is the hottest ticket in town. Starring an ensemble cast including Alan Alda, Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Tambor, Gordon Clapp, Frederick Weller, Tom Wopat and Jordan Lage, this Joe Mantello-directed tour-de-force just opened at the newly named Bernard B. Jacobs Theater (formerly the Royale). “Glengarry” is one ‘male heavy revival of a classic’ that got it right. The 90-minute performance (that’s including intermission) is sharp, clean and compelling. No theater purists will consider this play “an expensive nap.” Based on David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama, which was made into a 1992 movie starring Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin and Kevin Spacey, the story revolves around the cut-throat politics of a shifty real estate operation set in Chicago, circa 1969. To see Mr. “M*A*S*H” himself on the Broadway stage is a true thrill. And Mr. Schreiber, who is no slouch in his role as the cavalier top-earner Richard Roma, was phenomenal.

Another revival that has lit up the Great White Way is the David Leveaux-helmed interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ classic play “The Glass Menagerie,” starring Jessica Lange, Christian Slater, Sarah Paulson and Josh Lucas. Playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre for a limited engagment, “Glass” is set in St. Louis in the depressive 1930’s. Popularly referred to as Mr. Williams’ memory play, it tells the story of the Wingfield family - Tom, who is torn between his obligation to his family and his desire to break away, his overbearing mother Amanda, and his frail sister Laura, whose memory he cannot escape. The original premiered on Broadway in 1945 and was the playwright’s first great success. It’s considered one of Tennessee Williams’ masterpieces, along with “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Lastly, “Designing Women” diva Delta Burke is back on the block. Last seen in the Tony Award winning “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” Ms. Burke leads an all female ensemble cast in the Broadway premiere of “Steel Magnolias.” Directed by Jason Moore (Avenue Q), the Broadway run stars Ms. Burke as Truvy, Christine Ebersole as M’Lynn, Rebecca Gayheart as Shelby, Marsha Mason as Ouiser, Lily Rabe as Annelle and Frances Sternhagen as Clairee. Now, many people immediately think of “Steel Magnolias” as the Dolly Parton/Sally Field film of 1989. But the truth is it originated as an Off-Broadway hit in 1987, playing 1,126 performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, following its premiere at the WPA Theatre. The story of six spirited Southern women sharing their personal triumphs, tragedies, beauty tips, recipes, and more has since been performed in hundreds of productions around the world.

Honorable Mention
And much to the chagrin of the unprincipled and deceitful flack representing the latest morphing of the classic musical “Sweet Charity,” I scored tickets to see the show. And to my surprise, it was great. Perhaps it’s because I’m a fawning fan of contemporary musicals that I loved it so much, but Emmy Award winning TV actress Christina Applegate held her own in her big Broadway debut. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders trying to fill the shoes of the late, great Gwen Verdon (who originated the role on Broadway in the 1960s--before the movie adaptation starring Shirley MacClaine and Chita Rivera). Miss Applegate’s on-again, off-again foray onto the Great White Way has created much fodder for the elite media. And the buzz has translated into hefty box office receipts. Although I can name a few versatile actresses who may be better suited for the role (i.e. recent Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski), Miss Applegate makes Al and Peg Bundy proud.

Stages
It was literally a diva’s night out last Monday night at New York’s popular Blue Note jazz club. Tony Award winning dynamo Lillias White held court at not only one, but both of soul siren Alyson Williams’ sold out shows. Ms. White, who most recently starred in a limited run of “Purlie,” educated the rapturous audience on the history of tribal African terms. She even sang along on a few tunes, while drinking Martinis. Ms. Williams, whom will be forever remembered as the first female R&B singer of the Russell Simmons-helmed Def Jam Records, played her very first show in a 25-year career at the legendary jazz venue. Singing a bevy of standards, jazz tunes and classics, Ms. Williams was in top form as she celebrated her ‘forty-something” birthday. And the sold-out crowd (which formed lines down the block to see her for the Alize-sponsored event) lapped it all up. 1980s R&B singer Mikki Howard, who’s appearing on stage in a show called “Harlem Coffee Shop,” was also on hand, along with music industry veterans Dedra Tate, Ron Grant and photographer to the stars Ronnie Wright. 007 himself, Pierce Bronson, even sat in on the command performance. Ms. Williams, who released a great album called “It’s About Time” on Three Keys Music last fall, will perform at next week’s Capital Jazz Festival in Washington D.C.

And fresh off the critical acclaim he received from the Roundabout Theater Company’s ‘close to Broadway’ production of “McReele,” white-hot thespian Anthony Mackie will take a star turn on PBS. Yes, that’s Public Broadcasting Station. His courageous performance in the indie hit “Brother 2 Brother” gets the royal treatment with a simultaneous premiere on the network, on the same day that it arrives on DVD: June 14. The award-winning drama centers on the inspiring story of a young Black art student who is kicked out of his home for being gay. Left to fend for himself, he’s introduced to a world of righteousness and decadence through the eyes of Bruce Nugent, a poet/painter from the Harlem Renaissance. Mr. Mackie, who is still the talk of the town, will be in great company on PBS, as the aristocratic network will premiere an American Masters special on music mogul Quincy Jones on June 22.

This year is the 5th Anniversary of New York City’s wildly popular Hip-Hop Theater Festival (.HHTF). The event’s organizers will start the celebration on June 11 for one week only. The centerpiece of this year’s festivities will be the US premiers of two productions by acclaimed international artists: from the United Kingdom, Benji Reid in “13 Mics;” and Germany’s Niels “Storm” Robitzky in “Solo For Two.” Over the past five years, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival has grown from a fledgling project of Caseroc Productions and Hip Hop Theatre Junction into an independent non-profit organization with a national scope. HHTF seeks to bring audiences and artists from the Hip-Hop generation together with traditional mainstream theater audiences. Hits from past festivals include: Will Power’s “Flow,” Sarah Jones’ “Surface Transit,” Jonzi D.’s “Lyrical Fearta” and Ben Snyder’s “In Case You Forget.” According to a spokesperson for the festival, this year’s opening night will invite the “best” back the to the stage in an effort to unite both emerging and established hip-hop artists from around the country in an arena that stretches the limits of theater, dance, spoken word and live music. (www.hiphoptheaterfest.org.)

Tony Award winning dynamo Chuck Cooper has gotten himself another gig. Last year, the robust bass baritone, who wowed Great White Way audiences in Cy Coleman’s “The Life,” starred in George C. Wolfe’s critically acclaimed musical “Caroline, Or Change.” Now he’s about to hit the boards once again with Dan Scardino’s biographical musical “Lennon,” based on the life of the late, great founding member of The Beatles--John Lennon. The Clear Channel Entertainment-produced show will star Will Chase, Julie Danao, Mandy Gonzalez, Marcy Harriell, Chad Kimball, Terrence Mann, Julia Murney, and Michael Potts, along with Mr. Cooper. Produced by arrangement with Yoko Ono, “Lennon” will includes tunes such as “Imagine,” “Instant Karma,” “Give Peace a Chance,” “(Just Like) Starting Over” and “Whatever Gets You Through the Night,” among others, according to Mr. Scardino, who served as artistic director for Playwright’s Horizon and also directed the Broadway run and national tour of “A Few Good Men.” “We will tell the story of an era - an entire generation,” producer Allan McKeown said. “Through his music, Lennon's voice emerges as one of the most unique of our time.” “Lennon” will also include two rare and unpublished songs by John Lennon that were given to the show by Miss Ono. The incomparable Harold Wheeler (“Dreamgirls”) will helm orchestration of this production.

If you don’t know, now you know!

Notable/Quotable
"It's better to know nothing about the politics. Then you can think it's a big beautiful cake and you get to eat it.”
--Multiple Tony Award winning theatrical producer/director George C. Wolfe.

©2005 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~Daniels-Goldstein, P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

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