Theater – Page 13 – Los Angeles Sentinel

Louis Armstrong Unveiled: New play exposes a more personal side of Jazz Legend

Danielle CralleMay 22, 2015

John Douglas Thompson in ‘Satchmo at the Waldorf.’ (T. Charles Erickson Photo) For many people, Louis Armstrong is remembered as one of jazz music’s greatest trumpet players, famous for crossing the color barrier in what was a racially divided America. Despite his accomplishments, Armstrong was famously and frequently criticized by Blacks for being an Uncle Tom, rarely using his unique position to speak out about race. Despite his fame and success, the person he really was, his personal life, remained a mystery to most. Written by author and drama critic Terry Teachout, Satchmo at the Waldorf aims to show the world

Theater

LA Sentinel Night at “Motown the Musical”

Amen Oyiboke, Staff WriterMay 21, 2015

Music enthusiasts had the opportunity to mix their favorite music with newspaper knowledge “Motown the Musical” is set to be in Los Angeles until June 7th at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. (Mesiyah McGinnis/LA Sentinel) Snapping fingers, audience sing-alongs and foot taps filled Hollywood’s Pantages Theater on May 14 during the “Motown the Musical.” Like any other night, the venue was filled with music buffs and theater enthusiasts who couldn’t help but sing when hits like “ABC” by the Jackson 5 were performed. But, this night was exceptionally special because the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper hosted the evening in partnership

Theater

‘Motown the Musical’ Examines the life of Berry Gordy

Troy Tieuel, Sentinel Contributing WriterMay 7, 2015

Berry Gordy (center) joins Smokey Robinson (second from left) along with family and friends on the red carpet. (Valerie Goodloe photo) Berry Gordy, Jr (Valerie Goodloe photo) Berry Gordy, speaks with Sentinel Managing Editor Brandon I. Brooks (Troy Tieuel photo) Motown’s Berry Gordy Jr. has a rich history of musical genius, business savvy, marketing and a sound that has stretched through the decades and culminated at the Pantages Theater for the second season of the hit play ‘Motown the Musical.’ The musical adaption of Gordy’s book titled ‘To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of

Theater

Berry Gordy Opens Famous Motown Musical in L.A.

Danny Bakewell Jr. Executive EditorMay 7, 2015

Motown Director Charles Randolph Wright, Berry Gordy & Smokey Robinson sit down for a Q&A (Valerie Goodloe photo) The Motown sound began with Berry Gordy as a dreamer in Detroit and the music that originated from Hitsville U.S.A. ignited a sound of lyrics beats and hymns that transformed culture and was beloved by everyone. Now, the story of Gordy is being told from the stage in the famous Broadway hit sensation “Motown The Musical” that arrived from New York to Los Angeles. Gordy feels “lucky”, he said, for having chosen Charles Randolph Wright to direct, since “on paper there

Theater

Motown: The Musical Hits Los Angeles!

Nicole Williams, Staff WriterApril 30, 2015

Julius Thomas III as Berry Gordy (center right) & Cast MOTOWN THE MUSICAL First National Tour (C) Joan Marcus, 2015. On its first-ever national tour, Motown: The Musical heads to Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages Theater from April 28-June 7. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2013 and is based on the book “To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown”, which was written by the record label’s founder, Berry Gordy. Started in 1959 in Detroit, Michigan, Gordy created the first, successful, national Black-owned record label. The label included different genres of music like rhythm and blues,

Theater

Alvin Ailey comes to L.A.

Danielle Cralle, staff writerApril 16, 2015

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Kirven Douthit-Boyd in David Parson’s Caught. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor On Wednesday, April 15 The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater made its way to Los Angeles to perform Power of Ailey, one of three programs currently being held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from April 15 until April 19. The three programs, Power of Ailey, Soul of Ailey, and Joy of Ailey, will be performed twice during the four day run. This will be the first time the dance company has performed in Los Angeles since 2013. The performances will feature work from

Theater

Jennifer Hudson will play Shug Avery in The Color Purple Revival

Shonassee Shaver Staff WriterJanuary 27, 2015

Dreamgirls’ star Jennifer Hudson will make her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in a revival of The Color Purple this fall. Produced by Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, and Oprah Winfrey, the Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner will play a sultry blues singer in the production directed and designed by John Doyle, who received a director’s Tony in 2006 for his own Broadway debut, “Sweeney Todd.” Doyle opened his production of The Color Purple in 2013 in London at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Music and lyrics are by Grammy winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The story is

Theater

Yes to Porgy and Bess!

Brian W. Carter (Staff Writer)April 26, 2014

Kingsley Leggs as Sporting Life takes center stage in one of the many entertaining musical performances of “Porgy and Bess.” Photos courtesy of Center Theatre Group The Broadway musical still tells a story that you’ll want see and hear over and over again. Dynamic. Entertaining. Engaging. Full of passion. Those are just some of the descriptions that describe the Gershwins Broadway musical, “Porgy and Bess,” which opened Tuesday, April 22 at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Originally debuting in 1935 in New York, “Porgy and Bess” still stands the test of time with a compelling story, soul-stirring music and dramatic scenes.

Theater

Smokey Joe’s Café Heats up Pasadena Playhouse

Troy Tieuel Sentinel Contributing WriterOctober 10, 2013

On September 22, in sunny Pasadena, the Pasadena Playhouse presented ‘Smokey Joes Café: The Songs of Lieber and Stoller’ to a capacity audience. Running until October 13, those interested in musical theater will be thrilled with the talents of standout singers Kyra DeCosta, as ‘Brenda,’ and Thomas Hobson as ‘Ken.’ The play is an amalgamation of wonderfully 39 of Rock and Roll’s greatest hits that weave together to form a story about relationships and love that is set in a 1940’s style café. Fashion flowed with movements that included a ‘headless manikin scene’ where the manikins danced and grooved

Theater

Hattie…What I Need You to Know Returns to LA

Kenneth Miller Entertainment EditorMarch 28, 2013

Hattie…What I Need You To Know! is back by popular demand and will be at the Hudson Backstage Theatre each weekend through April 14, 2013. Hattie…What I Need You to Know is a celebration of Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win the Academy Award® in 1940. Written and performed by acclaimed actress of stage and screen, Vickilyn Reynolds, Hattie…What I Need You To Know! captures the essence of Hattie McDaniel’s life – from her humble beginnings to her rise to stardom in Hollywood in the 1930s. Vickilyn Reynolds has starred and co-starred in many feature films, television

Theater

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL GOES PLATINUM IN FIRST WEEK ON BROADWAY

Sentinel News Service [email protected]March 21, 2013

This March 5, 2013 photo shows Berry Gordy posing for a portrait in front of the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) JOINS MILLIONAIRE’S CLUB WITH $1,029,883. GROSS MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL celebrated platinum sales of $1,029,883. during its first week of sold-out performances at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, joining the celebrated Million Dollar Club following only 7 performances while surpassing 100% capacity of the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. This marks the first time a new Broadway musical has joined the Million Dollar Club in its first week of previews without an out-of-town tryout. Seen for

Theater

Pullum Community Arts Center presented Dream Girls at the Washington High School Dream Theater

Troy Tieuel, Sentinel Contributing WriterDecember 8, 2012

“There are four Dreamgirls,” said Denna Jones just before they introduced Effie White back into the group and sung the finale and title song “Dreamgirls”. From left to right:, Brook Brewer as Michelle Morris, Shoni Bennett as Effie White, Chantel Maryland as Denna Jones and Skyler Labat as Lorrell Robinson. Photo by Troy Tieuel Gemaine Edwards commanded the crowd into laughter as he reinvented the character James Early, a ballet belting singer who becomes confused about his identity. Below Edwards is the Dreamgirls band lead by musical director Pooh Mayo (not pictured). Photo by Troy Tieuel

Theater

Intimate Apparel

Chelsea Battle (Contributing Writer)November 21, 2012

A revealing play about what happens when romance goes tragically wrong. In her award winning play, “Intimate Apparel,” Lynn Nottage explores what happens when the human desire for love is soiled by the unforeseen circumstances of life. From November 6th until December 2nd, Pasadena Playhouse theatre patrons can experience this dilemma through the diffident eyes of a Black seamstress. Set in 1905 New York, the play chronicles the life of Esther (Vanessa Williams), a talented seamstress whose clients range from wealthy White women to prostitutes. Residing in a boarding house where young women frequently move in single

Theater

Director Sheldon Epps gets Intimate

Chelsea Battle (Contributing Writer)November 16, 2012

Sheldon Epps, director for the Pasadena’s Playhouse’s latest production “Intimate Apparel” discusses the play in depth. SENTINEL: Why did you choose to direct Intimate Apparel? Sheldon Epps (SE) It’s a play that I saw many years ago, and really liked what I saw. I always thought about it as a possible play to do. The idea of people literally and figuratively reaching out and touching each other—the idea of people having simple physical affection— is really important. I guess, I was also thinking about the idea of how we’re so into electronic communication. We’re constantly texting

Theater

Celebs perform stories from author John Edgar Wideman

Jason Lewis (Sports Editor)September 27, 2012

Dennis Haybert Gary Dourdan Jason George WordTheatre’s Storytales: Featuring celebrities performing stories from acclaimed African-American author John Edgar Wideman’s literary anthology ‘Briefs’ WordTheatre will present “Storytales,” a special one night production at the Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. The presentation was announced today by WordTheatre Artistic Director, Cedering Fox. Based on ‘Briefs’, MacArthur ’Genius Grant‘ recipient John Edgar Wideman’s most recent collection of stories, “Storytales” features celebrity film, television and Broadway actors giving voice to Wideman’s words; musician Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids playing his original score live; and a dance