TODAY 2/24/14 WAS A HUGE DAY FOR “AMEN CORNER: THE REVIVAL!” AMEN! IS NOT ‘JUST’ A MUSICAL…IT IS A MOVEMENT! That little phrase was deposited in my spirit a few weeks ago, and it has been startling with what speed things began to align almost as soon as I spoke those words OUT LOUD. The…

The short answer is: Yes. So, then, WHAT PRAY TELL, would make a person, such as myself, OUT themselves on the whole celibacy thing? I’ll tell you what finally forced my hand…the conversation below. But, before we resume this conversation, please let me say that I hope the ‘tongue & cheekiness’ of title, doesn’t minimize…

Amen Corner: The Revival is not ‘just’ a great new musical…it’s A MOVEMENT! A National movement to change the trajectory of the touring Gospel musicals, Christian plays…the Urban Theatre Circuit. We have looked at this piece from all angles, and now with all parties on board, we can BOLDLY move forward with our project. The…

ALL THE PARTS I EVER WANTED TO SING BUT COULDN’T CAUSE I WUZ BLACK! The Sunday Series at Abingdon is proud to present Broadway performer Helena-Joyce Wright in this quintessential evening of musical theatre directed by Dwight R.B. Cook and musical direction by Thomas Gallaher currently on the Broadway hit, Chicago. Premiering her new work…

Entertainment personality Helena Joyce-Wright is one of those performers who come along every so often, so revered by their peers as to be considered legendary and yet still sorely lacking the name recognition they so rightfully deserve. After making a tremendous Broadway debut in Amen Corner over twenty-five years ago, years of starring in national tours and…

First, I thought that was Jasmine Guy at the end, playing J’s mom. I could have sworn it was a grown up version of Whitley Gilbert standing there. Turns out it’s actually Broadway diva Helena-Joyce Wright  (All The Parts I Ever Wanted To Sing But Couldn’t ‘Cause I ‘Wuz’ Black), who’s known [creator/writer/producer/star] Issa Rae for a few years, back when Rae…

In 1975 I won the National Scholastic Writing Award. This was followed in rapid succession by a flurry of other awards, most notably the prestigious, Detroit News Writing Award for short stories. And…the scholarship offers came pouring in; Harvard came first, University of Michigan, Northwestern, Brandeis, Smith, USC, Princeton. I went on every visit I…

I’ve gotten so backed up on my writings, and this was NOT on the docket, but here we go. SAMUEL LEROY JACKSON WAS ROBBED! The whole movie actually. The Academy just choked…again. Sickening, but at this point…predictable. I waited to watch it. I’ve learned to  trust my own judgement. With that, I rarely, if ever,…