Are there any remaining adjectives available to describe Denzel Washington's acting skill, range, and stellar performance in August Wilson's pultizer prize winning play, Fences. Washington wraps himself and the audience so tightly around his character even his absence in the last scene is powerful and gripping --that's how phenomenal he was tonight! How thrilling to watch and experience a virtuoso performing live!
Washington's supporting cast, and accomplished co-star, Viola Davis, are supremely confident and exquisitely calibrated--providing a solid "scaffold" around him as the enigmatic tragic hero.
I went into Fences asking myself why would anyone spend $121.00 for a ticket to see a hyped-up performance driven by an iconic actor. I left asking why did the play have to end so soon.
Fences is a must see. Even if means having to stand in the back of the theatre for 30 bucks, try to catch this piece of history; you won't regret this delicious, "suck-the-bone-marrow" treat of a play. (LOL and thank you G for springing for the tickets!!!)
LOCATION: the Cort Theater, 138 West 48th Street, Manhattan; (212) 239-6200. Through July 11.
CAST: Denzel Washington (Troy Maxson), Viola Davis (Rose), Chris Chalk (Cory), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Jim Bono), Russell Hornsby (Lyons), Mykelti Williamson (Gabriel) and Eden Duncan-Smith and SaCha Stewart-Coleman (Raynell).
tBAw
http://blackartsentertainmentwhisperer.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Through The Night Now Playing in New York
Having seen a really awesome one man show, Coleman Domingo's Boy and His Soul, several times, I was admittedly up for seeing another virtuoso one man show and caught tonight's preview of the nationally acclaimed play, Through the Night .
Written and performed by Obie Award winning actor, Daniel Beaty, this highly ambitious play examines the life experience of six strikingly different but interconnected black males. Beaty tackles a range of experiences encountered by black males, including, addiction,incarceration, disease, fatherhood,
employment, relationships and sexuality.
An emotionally-charged and compelling play, Through the Night is unapologetic in its exploration of these men's inner lives. Using a combination of drama, humor, poetry, song, and movement, Beaty swiftly transitions from straight up homeboy, to innocent kid, to potbelly pastor, to gay son, to expectant father--and oh yes, to outraged single mother as well. (Beaty is extremely convincing in each of these roles).
This show is not for the inattentive or easily distracted viewer, Beaty switches characters with considerable velocity and you can get lost quickly. The voice changes with each character were so dramatic I mistakenly thought that someone else's voice was being piped in at times.
Beaty is a seasoned pro and that showed in his ablity to nail each scene perfectly--no jagged edges, so to speak. I wondered if Beaty's perfection personified aura could be a bit distracting. The question arises, "distracting" from what? The storyline? Himself? Neither answer makes sense since this is "one man show" (LoL).
How refreshing to see such an accomplished black male actor so fully expressed and so full of artistry. (I spoke with him very briefly after the show and he seemed like a really cool and gracious guy). Beaty earned a 2007 Obie for his Off-Broadway work in Emergence-SEE! at the Public Theater, and his play Resurrection was presented at Arena Stage during the 2008-2009
Again, as with Black Angel's Over Tuskegee (now playing at St. Luke's Theatre--see my review),far too many seats were empty at the Riverside Theatre for this showing.
The empty seat syndrome will most likley not affect this play thanks to the scheduled dialogues between Beaty and prominent guests after each performance. Bill Cosby will appear on May 7, opening night. and other celebrities set to appear include Ruby Dee, Hill Harper, Malik Yoba and Rev. Alfonso Wyatt, (author of Soul Be Free please see my review).
For tickets and information, call 212 870-6784 212 870-6784 or visit www.theriversidetheatre.org
Posted by The Black Arts and Entertainment Whisperer (tBAW)
Written and performed by Obie Award winning actor, Daniel Beaty, this highly ambitious play examines the life experience of six strikingly different but interconnected black males. Beaty tackles a range of experiences encountered by black males, including, addiction,incarceration, disease, fatherhood,
employment, relationships and sexuality.
An emotionally-charged and compelling play, Through the Night is unapologetic in its exploration of these men's inner lives. Using a combination of drama, humor, poetry, song, and movement, Beaty swiftly transitions from straight up homeboy, to innocent kid, to potbelly pastor, to gay son, to expectant father--and oh yes, to outraged single mother as well. (Beaty is extremely convincing in each of these roles).
This show is not for the inattentive or easily distracted viewer, Beaty switches characters with considerable velocity and you can get lost quickly. The voice changes with each character were so dramatic I mistakenly thought that someone else's voice was being piped in at times.
Beaty is a seasoned pro and that showed in his ablity to nail each scene perfectly--no jagged edges, so to speak. I wondered if Beaty's perfection personified aura could be a bit distracting. The question arises, "distracting" from what? The storyline? Himself? Neither answer makes sense since this is "one man show" (LoL).
How refreshing to see such an accomplished black male actor so fully expressed and so full of artistry. (I spoke with him very briefly after the show and he seemed like a really cool and gracious guy). Beaty earned a 2007 Obie for his Off-Broadway work in Emergence-SEE! at the Public Theater, and his play Resurrection was presented at Arena Stage during the 2008-2009
Again, as with Black Angel's Over Tuskegee (now playing at St. Luke's Theatre--see my review),far too many seats were empty at the Riverside Theatre for this showing.
The empty seat syndrome will most likley not affect this play thanks to the scheduled dialogues between Beaty and prominent guests after each performance. Bill Cosby will appear on May 7, opening night. and other celebrities set to appear include Ruby Dee, Hill Harper, Malik Yoba and Rev. Alfonso Wyatt, (author of Soul Be Free please see my review).
For tickets and information, call 212 870-6784 212 870-6784 or visit www.theriversidetheatre.org
Posted by The Black Arts and Entertainment Whisperer (tBAW)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Some Enchanted Evening: Soul Be Free Book Reading by Authors
In a timelessly elegant, classically decorated living room in Westcheter, New York live piano music, hot hors douevres, and lavendar candles set the backdrop for this Sunday evening's signature event: a reading of Soul Be Free: Poems, Prose, and Prayers by authors, Ouida and Rev. Alfonso Wyatt.
As stated previously, these authors are gifted orators as well. Staying true to form, the Wyatts' exquisitely sensitive reading of selected excerpts from Soul Be Free grabbed the full attention of this impressive assembly of "souls" including, top educators, pastors, engineers, social services providers, professors, lawyers, doctors,architects, journalists, and law enforcement personnel. Highly sought publicist, Terrie Williams (and her elegant mother) was also among the evening's intrigued listeners.
Eyes fixed, we zeroed in on the ever-charismatic Wyatts as they took turns reading from each of the book's four sections: MIND, ISSUES, RELATIONSHIPS, SOUL.
Ouida's rich, deep, soul stirring voice is ready for the airwaves. I could have listened to her all night. Small wonder she is on the praise and worship team at her home church. If Ouida's sensual voice was not already under "divine" protection, I think many radio stations and television advertisers would be fighting at her doorstep (LOL).
And what can be said of the inimitable Rev. Alfonso Wyatt who without question has achieved the status of exospheric elocutionist. (Rev. was at one time a stratospheric speaker but is way beyond that now, LOL). I once heard a lady (who was not his wife, mother or sister, lol) say, "I would come listen to that man if he was talking with a paper bag over his mouth-- he's that good."
When this dynamic duo combined voices on the finale, reading parts of the SOUL excerpt in tandem, Soul Be Free was no longer a book but a living message. The Wyatt's combined voice highlighted the duality of perspectives -- male-female, mother-father, husband-wife-- found within Soul Be Free's pages.
After the reading, guests shared about themselves, speaking from their hearts and souls. It was evident that they were inspired and felt safe to share. A spirit of camraderie and joy permeated the living room. Later on that evening, the Wyatts signed several copies of Soul Be Free. Many guests bought multiple copies.
The only thing wrong with Soul Be Free centers on the unavailabilty of a CD given how powerfully the Wyatt's read this work. I spoke with the Wyatts about this and was assured that CDs and much more are on the way.
If you have not caught the Wyatts live and in person at a book signing or reading, please do so. This event turned out to be some enchanted evening!
the Black Arts & Entertainment Whisperer (tBAW)
As stated previously, these authors are gifted orators as well. Staying true to form, the Wyatts' exquisitely sensitive reading of selected excerpts from Soul Be Free grabbed the full attention of this impressive assembly of "souls" including, top educators, pastors, engineers, social services providers, professors, lawyers, doctors,architects, journalists, and law enforcement personnel. Highly sought publicist, Terrie Williams (and her elegant mother) was also among the evening's intrigued listeners.
Eyes fixed, we zeroed in on the ever-charismatic Wyatts as they took turns reading from each of the book's four sections: MIND, ISSUES, RELATIONSHIPS, SOUL.
Ouida's rich, deep, soul stirring voice is ready for the airwaves. I could have listened to her all night. Small wonder she is on the praise and worship team at her home church. If Ouida's sensual voice was not already under "divine" protection, I think many radio stations and television advertisers would be fighting at her doorstep (LOL).
And what can be said of the inimitable Rev. Alfonso Wyatt who without question has achieved the status of exospheric elocutionist. (Rev. was at one time a stratospheric speaker but is way beyond that now, LOL). I once heard a lady (who was not his wife, mother or sister, lol) say, "I would come listen to that man if he was talking with a paper bag over his mouth-- he's that good."
When this dynamic duo combined voices on the finale, reading parts of the SOUL excerpt in tandem, Soul Be Free was no longer a book but a living message. The Wyatt's combined voice highlighted the duality of perspectives -- male-female, mother-father, husband-wife-- found within Soul Be Free's pages.
After the reading, guests shared about themselves, speaking from their hearts and souls. It was evident that they were inspired and felt safe to share. A spirit of camraderie and joy permeated the living room. Later on that evening, the Wyatts signed several copies of Soul Be Free. Many guests bought multiple copies.
The only thing wrong with Soul Be Free centers on the unavailabilty of a CD given how powerfully the Wyatt's read this work. I spoke with the Wyatts about this and was assured that CDs and much more are on the way.
If you have not caught the Wyatts live and in person at a book signing or reading, please do so. This event turned out to be some enchanted evening!
the Black Arts & Entertainment Whisperer (tBAW)
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