OyamO's Killa Dilla, Directed by De Shields, Runs Off-Bway Jan. 5-13

By: Jan. 03, 2006
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The Working Theaterwill present Killa Dilla (An Ogunde minstrel show for Jim Crow), written by OyamO and directed by André De Shields, from January 5th through 13th at the The Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street (between Minetta Lane and West 3rd St.).

"OyamO's ambitious and confrontational Killa Dilla employs a kaleidoscope of performance styles including blackface minstrelsy, rap and evangelical preaching in an Ogunde-style use of song and dance. The story centers around LaBarsha, a woman whose own survival is threatened by her unresolved rage. It is a powerful call for self-examination and healing that challenges our cultural assumptions with wicked humor, outrage and ultimately, compassion," state press notes.

The production will feature Kim Brockington, Leland Gantt, Laura E. Johnston, Angela Lewis, Gil Pritchett, Roslyn Ruff, Dan Teachout, Joan Valentina and Bill Weeden.

OyamO's plays have been produced in numerous theatres, including the Goodman in Chicago (I Am A Man, and Let Me Live); The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., the Seattle Children's Theatre (Pink And Say); the Minneapolis Children's Theatre (Boundless Grace); Manhattan Theatre Club and CBS Cable TV (The Resurrection of Lady Lester); the New York Shakespeare Festival's Public Theatre (His First Step); the Kennedy Center, and the Wexner Center (In Living Colors); and the Geva Theatre (Famous Orpheus). His play, I Am A Man, was optioned by HBO, for which he also wrote the Ida B. Wells Story for the Famous Black American Anthology. TriStar Pictures commissioned him to do the treatment for The Ota Benga Story. He studied at Yale, and is a member of PEN, Dramatists Guild, New Dramatists (alumnus), the Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Writers Guild East.

De Shields received a Tony nomination for his performance as Noah "Horse" T. Simmons, the "Big Black Man" of The Full Monty. He also garnered a nod for 1997's Play On!, and his other Broadway credits include The Wiz (in which he originated the title role), Ain't Misbehavin', Stardust and Prymate. He  conceived, wrote, directed, composed, choreographed and performed the revue Andre De Shields' Haarlem Nocturne in 1984, and has also choreographed shows for Bette Midler.
 
"The Working Theater's commitment to nurturing playwrights and developing risky new work has resulted in the inauguration of our First Stage Presentation program. This program allows our playwright the chance to see his work on its feet without the pressure of opening for critics. The public gets to see a new work in its nascency and, in a way, in its purest form, unadorned by elaborate sets."
 
The performance schedule is Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00,with matinees Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 3:00. All tickets for the show are $15, but matinees are pay-what-you-can.  For tickets, call SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or visit smarttix.com.

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