Vickie Evans - Page 3

Meet The Masterminds, Director Elizabeth Flax and Playwright Coolidge Harris II, Behind The Stage Play, 'Greenwood', Based On The Tulsa, Oklahoma Massacre, A Love Story With A Historical Proponent. Performed At Matthews Playhouse, Matthews, NC, September 17th and 18th.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is one of ten of August Wilson's productions about the African American experience. Ma Rainey depicts the life of the famous blues singer, Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey, and Black Bottom is one of the songs she made famous. BNS Productions, based in Charlotte, NC, did an excellent job of bring this awesome work the the stage...with a twelve day running from August 11-22. It was sold-out many nights. So, as a result of its awesomeness, it is returning on September 12 for an encore performance.

BNS Productions brings August Wilson's FENCES to Charlotte, NC. Tony Award-Winning Fences is Wilson's 6th cycle out of a 10-Cycle series of Pittsburgh-based stage plays about the African American experience.

Akeelah and the Bee is a family-fun production that highlights an 11-year old African-American girl's journey of surviving the inner-city challenges of the Chicago projects to her acrimonious success as a finalist/winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  The stage adaptation remained true to the movie's original theme about overcoming obstacles (poverty, bullying, inner-city woes such as shooting and drugs, racial and societal stereotypes, etc.), while stressing the importance of the strong community ties and love that undergird Akeelah's rise to success. 

Broadway World awarded musical, Be A Lion, written by Rory D. Sheriff, who recently won a?oeBest Directora?? at the Atlanta Black Theater Festival, returns with improvements and upgrades to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Duke Energy Theater, at Spirit Square.

With the iconic song 'A Whole New World', Aladdin certainly delivered 'the magic' of Disney that took the audience on a mind-blowing journey of 'toe tappin' dance performances and tickled our imagination to believe that we too could embark on a fairy-tale infused 'magic carpet ride'. 

The 2019 National Black Theatre Festival has ended with memories of grandeur and spectacular stage plays. Here is my review of the productions I attended.

When the stars come out…there is magic in the air.  That's exactly how the opening day of the National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) in Winston-Salem felt…majestic and magical.  As the originators and attendees declare…”This Is Holy Ground!”   The NBTF is “taking over” the city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina this entire week, July 29-August 3. 

Somebody Loves You, Baby!' What a perfect backdrop to a lovely 'pre-Valentine's' evening. Ms. Patti LaBelle (a.k.a. 'Lady Marmalade') made a royalty entrance onto the stage of the Queen City's Belk Theater, as her silky voice filled the atmosphere, as anxious fans stood and cheered, waiting for her to emerge. It was incredible.

Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds' is a musical tribute to the Father of Reggae depicted through the eyes of his son, Ziggy Marley. It's a coming-of-age depiction of facing fears 'head on' to experience the joys of life in a sunny, Caribbean island, outside the walls of his imagination.

'NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN' showcases the life and music of songstress Nina Simone and the testimonies of three different women, after the 1963 bombing of the 16th Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. It depicts the women diverse struggles that unite them together, at a time of civil unrest and racial disparity.

I had the pleasure to see the award-winning stage play 'Be A Lion', written by Rory D. Sheriff, inspired by the Broadway play, 'The Wiz' for the third time. Be A Lion is the fictitious account of what could have possibly happened in the land of Oz, AFTER the Wiz's sudden departure. It's an urbanized depiction of the modern day lives Dorothy, Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Lion, who is on a quest to become the next 'RULER' of Oz, with his trusted side-kick Miles, The Mouse, and LaDawn, the lioness.

Rory D. Sheriff - if you haven't heard that name, it's only a matter of time before you will. Statuesque, bearded and dread-locked, he is a man that's very visible, even in a crowded room. Yet, there is a humbleness and genuine kindness that is etched in his face and resonates in his voice. Why is this man so significant? Under the auspice of his production company, Brand New Sheriff (BNS) Productions, is consistently providing a platform of entertainment via the performing arts as a resident playwright at the Duke Energy Theater of Belk Performing Arts Center. His passion for community theater is echoed loud and clear through his talent-filled cast and masterfully-produced stage plays.

The Lion King brings the magic of Pride Rock to the Queen City (Charlotte) with spectacular choreography, costumes and music that takes your imagination right in the middle of an African Safari. Yes, the magic of Disney is showcased in living color.

'UNFAITHFUL' is an emotional twist-turning stage play that extends far beyond cheating. The story captures the lives of Kenny and Rochelle Jones, the seemingly perfect couple, who looked as if they had the 'perfect' life and marriage, until the unimaginable happened.

Riveting, Breathtaking! A cultural phenomenon! Worthy of all the standing ovations it received! Yes, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater delivered one of the most spectacular dance masterpieces that I've ever witnessed.

A very informative play about the life of one of our greatest sports heroes, Muhammad Ali (formerly known as Cassius Clay).

Jonathan Caldwell returns as Huey Sharif, the lead role, in Boys To Baghdad, written and produced by Rory Sheriff, Brand New Sheriff Productions

August Wilson's Tony award-winning stage play, Jitney, takes center stage at The Blumenthal's Duke Energy Theatre, produced by Brand New Sheriff Productions.