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 and commercials. Theatre became a passion for Vickilyn after being featured off Broadway in George C. Wolfe’s Colored Museum, in which she portrayed five characters. Ms. Reynolds was featured as “da Singer” in Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk and has traveled the world as a solo vocalist for dignitaries and royalty upon their request. She has also studied with Marlon Brando for an intensive documentary Lying for a Living. Ms. Reynolds has garnered nominations from the NAACP, Drama Desk Awards, a recipient of the Chicago’s 1998 Best Performance, Black Theatre Alliances Award, 1998 Best Performance theatre LA Ovation Award and 2005 Telly Award for Acting and Associate Producer, and the 2007 Denver’s Ovation Award Nomination and 2008 won the Audelco Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical/Female for Hattie…What I Need You To Know!
Hattie…What I Need You To Know! Honors and pays tribute to the many accomplishments of Hattie McDaniel including being the first African American to perform on the radio. She appeared in over 300 films, although she was credited for only 80. Not everyone appreciated her success and she was quoted to telling critics “I’d rather play a maid and make $700 a week than be a maid and make $7.” And if not for Hattie McDaniel and her trailblazing career, there would be no places of honor and acclaim for such actors as Denzel Washington, Sidney Poitier or Whoopi Goldberg.
Hattie…What I Need You To Know! Is directed by acclaimed director Byron Nora and will run at The Hudson Theatre – 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood CA, 90038, March 8 through April 14. Performances on Friday and Saturday begin at 8:00 p.m. and performances on Sunday are at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 – $40 and can be purchased at www.plays411.net/hattie or call 323-960-5774. Discount tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information visit: www.HattieWhatINeedYouToKnow.com. For media interviews with Vickilyn Reynolds, please contact Casandra Williams of WET PR of Beverly Hills (323) 381-0832.
