port of harlem magazine
 

January 20 - February 2, 2011

 

amar group



Review: Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet





marcus  or the secret of sweetLike the first two plays in his trilogy, Tarell Alvin McCraney in Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet allows his characters to often voice their stage directions followed by their lines - - which adds additional light moments to the dialogue. Like the other plays, pan-African inspirations from Yoruba life and traditions, and Southern American rhythms and cadences stream through his innovative tales.

Having seen the other two plays, The Brothers Size (2008) and In Red and Brown Water (2010), made me appreciate the stage directions and Yoruba inspirations, but for Audrey Davis a multitude of attributes made the play enjoyable. “I was impressed by the actors' techniques and their abilities, with minimal staging and dialogue, to make the characters and the location feel real. It was interesting to see how the characters evolved throughout the three plays. It was a powerful trilogy. I highly recommend this last play,"says Davis.

In Marcus, the questions start early with one character asking 16-year-old Marcus Eshu (J. Mal McCree), “Are you sweet, like your daddy?” (Marcus’s father, Elegba, was incarcerated in the Brothers Size). While the tale often takes on the persona of a coming out story, the focus remains on Marcus’ quest to learn about his daddy, himself and interpreting his dream. The search for the dream’s meaning becomes hilarious, mystical and sometime intriguing.

For the play, set designer Dan Conway created a simple, but meaningful waterfall created by having water simply stream over a clear wall.

Marcus runs through Sunday, February 13 at Studio Theater, 1501 14th Street, NW (14th and P), 202-332-3300. Tickets are $35 to $65. Group discounts for10 or more are available and $15 tickets for full-time students are available one-half hour before curtain if seats are available (except Saturday evenings).

Previous Snippets Review
The Brothers Size



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Opening Night Apollo Amateur Night - Harlem

The Apollo will kick off the 2011 Amateur Night season with a special opening night celebration Wednesday, January 26 at 7:30p to celebrate the 77th birthday of the theater.

Apollo Exhibit Moves to New York City

If you missed the exhibit "Ain’t Nothing like the Real Thing: How The Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment" while it was at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. or Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History you can view it at the Museum of the City of New York Tuesday, February 8 through Sunday, May 1, 2011

Exhibits will include:

  • James Brown’s hyperkinetic performances and the live recordings that went on to become best-selling classics
  • Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s spell-binding footwork in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera
  • Ella Fitzgerald’s Amateur Night debut at the age of 17
  • The Jackson Five’s breakthrough performance, featuring a 9-year-old Michael Jackson
  • The Supremes in a dazzling Motown Revue.

Ben Jealous Reflects on Recent "Just Us" Cases

ben jealous“The case of the Scott sisters gives hope to others who are unjustly imprisoned,” stated the NAACP's Ben Jealous. “During the past few weeks, two governors released Black Americans who had been railroaded by our nation's criminal justice system. One week before the Scott sisters were released, New York Governor David Paterson commuted the sentence of John White, a man who was defending his family. We hope that this trend continues in other cases, such as the case of John McNeil, a Georgia man who was given a life sentence for defending his home.”

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Haiti - One Year Later


New Car Reports -
What Car is Safe?


 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts tests to determine crashworthiness — how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash. The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts.
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ivan brown realty


Republican Leadership:
Fades Back to White

michael steeleAfter the Republicans historic win in November, the Republican National Committee tossed out its first Black chairman Michael Steele and picked Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus.

reince priebus

Photos: 

Top) Michael Steele
Bottom) Reince Priebus


Festejo: Peru Negro with Special Guest Eva Ayllon - Hampton

 black peruvian dancers

Formed more than 35 years ago to preserve Peru’s African heritage, Peru Negro has performed all over the world and been appointed Cultural Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture. A nonstop carnival of rhythm, this high energy ensemble is joined by Peru’s national treasure, Eva Ayllon, in this celebratory program which is made up of dances interwoven with vibrant live music. The American Theatre host the event Thursday, January 27 at 7:30p. and Friday, January 28 at 8p. Tickets are $30.00 or $35.00.

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