Theater – Page 15 – Los Angeles Sentinel

Theatre Celebrates 50 Years of ALVIN AILEY’S ‘REVELATIONS’

Jason Lewis (Sports Editor)April 2, 2011

Revelations Piece (AADT – Paul Kolnik) BY ARYSSA DURRELLCONTRIBUTING WRITER Los Angeles awaits a spectacular production, as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will grace the stage celebrating 50 years of Ailey’s praised piece “Revelations,” beginning in April. Hosted in the 2010-11 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center, these 10 performances are highly anticipated. Ailey’s piece “Revelations” “… is a celebration of what it means to be black,” as illustrated by Rachel McLaren, of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. “Revelations” has come to its 50th year and is still being performed with vigor and passion

Theater

“Raisin in the Sun” Gala Brings Out L.A. Theatre Elite

Jason Lewis (Sports Editor)April 2, 2011

Glynn Turman (photo by Malcolm Ali) By Joy ChildsSentinel Contributing Writer Native Angeleno Theatregoers-and transplanted New Yorkers-who yearn for good Black Theatre in the community have, since 2007, taken solace in the fact that it is alive and well at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. But a new bar has been set with the Center’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” the first fully staged production of Lorraine Hansberry’s play in more than 20 years. A spectacular gala heralding the opening of “Raisin” brought out a host of stars of stage, screen and television and their spouses, among them Hattie

Theater

“Long Time Since Yesterday” Returns: Lucy Florence Cultural Center December 3rd

Francis Taylor (Contributing Writer)December 1, 2010

“Longtime Since Yesterday” cast, opening December 3rd at the Lucy Florence Cultural Center in Leimert Park Village, got together recently to preview their award winning play by renowned playwright, P.J. Gibson. From left to right, Trish Redford, jaymeson jiles, JoAnna Rhambo, Y’Dhanna Daniels, Petal Walker, Kiana Tavasti, and Tiffany Y. Cousin.“LONG TIME SINCE YESTERDAY” Returns: Lucy Florence Cultural Center, December 3rd By Francis TaylorSentinel Staff Writer On December 3rd, the Lucy Florence Cultural Center will come alive with the return of the P. J. Gibson’s award-winning stage play, “Long Time Since Yesterday.” The five-time AUDELCO award winning play will run

Theater

CHICAGO Returns to the Pantages Theatre

Sentinel News ServiceApril 1, 2010

CHICAGO Returns to the Pantages Theatre For a limited three week engagement APRIL 20 – MAY 9, 2010 CHICAGO producers Barry and Fran Weissler are pleased to announce that Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny’s Child, will join the Los Angeles engagement of the national tour at the Pantages Theatre as Roxie Hart following her extended Broadway engagement. CHICAGO, the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards(r) including Best Musical Revival which is now celebrating its eleventh year touring the United States, returns to the Pantages Theatre for a strictly limited three week engagement April 20th through May 9th.

Theater

Dreamgirls Brought Down the House

Elzena Rankins (Intern)March 12, 2010

(L-R) Â Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Curtis Taylor, Jr.) Margaret Hoffman (Michelle Morris) Syesha Mercado (Deena Jones) Moya Angela (Effie White) Adrienne Warren (Lorrell Robinson) Chester Gregory (James “thunder” Early) Â Dreamgirls Brought Down the House Dreamgirls Review By: Elzena Rankins Sentinel Intern From the music, to the costumes, to the makeup, to the hair and the upbeat-choreographed dance steps, Dreamgirls was a hit. For a minute I thought I had went through a time machine and ended up in the 1960’s, then after all the clapping and shouts of laughter I had realized that I was only experiencing a unique moment

Theater

Chaz Dreams a Reality

Brandon I. Brooks (Entertainment Editor)March 4, 2010

Chaz Dreams a Reality (L-R) Trevon Davis (C.C), Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Curtis) and Chester Gregory (James Early) in â€œDreamgirls,â€ playing February 25 through April 4, 2010 at the CTG / Ahmanson Theatre.Â Photo by Joan Marcus (L-R) Trevon Davis (C.C.), Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Curtis), Chauncey Jenkins (Wayne) and Chester Gregory (James Early) in â€œDreamgirls,â€ playing February 25 through April 4, 2010, at the CTG / Ahmanson Theatre.Â Photo by Joan Marcus Â Brandon I. Brooks Sentinel Entertainment Editor Chaz Lamar Shepherd stars as “Curtis” in the highly anticipated musical production of “Dreamgirls”, opening this week (March 2) and playing through

Theater

Angela Robinson is bringing Broadway to Hollywood

Sam Johnson (Intern)February 25, 2010

Angela Robinson is bringing Broadway to Hollywood Angela Robinson By Sam JohnsonSentinel Intern Interview with Angela Robinson Angela Robinson, a native of San Francisco, CA is in preparation for one of her most beloved classics The Color Purple of which she will be playing Shug Avery alongside Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London for the February run of The Color Purple in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theater. Robinson, a student of theater, television and film is a graduate of Brown University and New York University. Her film credits include Chickula: Teenage Vampire (1995), D.E.B.S. (2003-2004), Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) The

Theater

Matthew Rushing brings “Uptown” to OCPAC

Brandon I. Brooks (Entertainment Editor)February 25, 2010

Matthew Rushing brings “Uptown” to OCPAC Matthew Rushing Performing in “Dancing Spirit” Photo by Paul Kolnik Matthew Rushing’s “Uptown” Photo by Paul KolnikÂ Brandon I. Brooks Sentinel Entertainment Editor In Celebration of Judith Jamison’s 20th Anniversary as Artistic Director with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Matthew Rushing, native of Inglewood, California choreographs an exclusive dance piece titled “”Uptown”.” The featured piece will be performed at the OCPAC (Orange County Performing Arts Center) March 2 – 7, 2010 in conjunction with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Matthew Rushing, a native of Inglewood, California is set to deliver his featured

Theater

Fantasia ROCKS Hollywood Opening Night of The Color Purple

Maleena Lawrence (Contributing Writer)February 18, 2010

African Homeland Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik Fantasia ROCKS Hollywood Opening Night Of “The Color Purple” By Maleena Lawrence Sentinel Contributing Writer LOS ANGELES, CA- Fabulous Fantasia Barrino, brilliantly cast as Celie in “The Color Purple” was absolutely fantastic in her premier performance at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, CA. LA celebrities, many have already jet-setted across the country to see “The Color Purple” in New York on Broadway, appeared on the red carpet in full support of seeing Fantasia mind blowing performance and powerfully commanding voice. Songwriter, Brenda Russell and playwright, Marsha Norman, shared synchronized sentiments of how being a

Theater

Moya Angela is a Dream

Brian W. Carter (Staff Writer)February 18, 2010

Chaz Lamar Shepherd (Curtis) and Moya Angela (Effie) in â€œDreamgirls,â€ playing February 25 through April 4, 2010, at the CTG/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus Moya Angela is a Dream By Brian W. Carter Sentinel Staff Writer Last week, the Sentinel got a chance to talk to a “Dream” in the form of Moya Angela in the new, groundbreaking, musical production of “Dreamgirls.” “Dreamgirls” tells the story of an up-and-coming girl group in the 1960’s that rises to stardom and the joy and pains that come with it. Angela, no stranger to the stage, plays the role of Effie White

Theater

â€œDreamgirlsâ€ Opens March 2 at the CTG/Ahmanson Theatre

Sentinel News ServiceFebruary 5, 2010

Chester Gregory (James Early) and Adrienne Warren (Lorrell) in â€œDreamgirls,â€ playing February 25 through April 4, 2010, at the CTG/Ahmanson Theatre. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus “Dreamgirls” Opens March 2 At The Ctg/Ahmanson Theatre A new, ground-breaking production of “Dreamgirls,” directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, arrives at the CTG/Ahmanson Theatre, opening March 2, 2010, and playing through April 4. Previews begin February 25. (Opening was previously announced for February 26.) With music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger, lyrics and book by Tony and Grammy Award winner Tom Eyen, and additional material by Willie Reale, “Dreamgirls” introduces actress Moya Angela

Theater

Bernard and Shirley Kinsey to Open Ebony Reparatory Theatreâ€™s Black History Month Celebration

Sentinel News ServiceFebruary 5, 2010

Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Â Â Bernard and Shirley Kinsey to Open Ebony Repertory Theatre’s Black History Month Celebration Â The Ebony Repertory Theatre is kicking off its month-long Black History Month celebration by hosting An Evening with Bernard and Shirley Kinsey: What You Didn’t Learn in High School History on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. The event is being generously supported by Farmer’s Insurance, US Bank and The Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts and Education. For more than thirty-five years, The Kinsey’s have been collecting historically important and culturally relevant items. “Giving a voice, a

Theater

The Road to Royalty

Sam Johnson (Intern)February 5, 2010

Latoya LondonPhoto Credit: Paul Kolnik The Road to Royalty By Sam JohnsonSentinel Intern Interview with LaToya London The Color Purple has been a pillar in the African American community ever since it hit the theaters and received critical acclaimed by also paving the way for Oprah, Whoopi Goldberg and a colossal in the film industry by the name of Steven Spielberg. The film which holds a special place in the heart of Oprah has been brought to life on streets of New York on and off Broadway and has made its way to Chicago and most recently heading to Los

Theater

“Celie” More than an Idol

Biko N. Poindexter-Hodge (Intern)February 5, 2010

“Celie” More than an “Idol” Fantasia BarrinoPhoto Credit: Paul Kolnik By Biko N. Poindexter-HodgeSentinel Intern Interview with Fantasia Barrino FANTASIA MONIQUE BARRINO commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B/soul singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the television series American Idol in 2004. She has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. After playing the part of Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, she is cast to be in the film adaptation of the musical. She has won 11 awards and recently won the International Award of Excellence

Theater

Baby It’s You Brings back Memory after Memory

Sentinel News ServiceDecember 17, 2009

Baby It’s You Brings back Memory after Memory Â Outside, the night was wet and cold. Inside the Pasadena Playhouse, things were quite different. With a combination of dialog and music, the story of the R&B female group the Shirelles began to unfold. Don’t even think about the fact that this story has been told. Don’t try to compare it to shows that have tried to bring to life the music from the and 60’s. And don’t think for a moment that you have seen it all before. Baby it’s you brings a fresh new approach to the stage by raising