Richard Pryor News

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures today announced the first round of exhibition rotations, which are scheduled for the 2022–2023 season. These rotations further the museum’s mission to advance the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through dynamic and diverse exhibitions.

In 1966, Cavett wrote and hosted the special, WHERE IT’S AT, produced by Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear. In 1968, Cavett was hired by ABC to host THIS MORNING, which was renamed THE DICK CAVETT SHOW and moved to prime time and then to late night, where it ran opposite THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON.

A Heated Discussion by Levy Lee Simon, based on an idea by Ben Guillory is set to run at the Los Angeles Theatre Center from April 7th through May 14th. The production is produced and directed by Ben Guillory and presented by The Robey Theatre Company. The show is to take place in Theatre Four, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.

The world-famous Comedy Cellar has announced the March 2022 lineup for its first West Coast location, an exact replica of its New York club, at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Known for its distinctive “showcase format,” featuring television-headliner comedians performing their best 15-20 minute sets, the renowned comedy club brings the unique vibe from the legendary, underground Greenwich Village club, including the iconic brick wall, stained glass and low-ceiling design.

Lorraine follows the year before Martin Luther King’s assassination. Writer Melvin Coleman’s goal is to capture Martin Luther King as a person, not a mythical figure, who was in Memphis at the time to support the sanitation workers who were on strike for unequal pay and unfair work environment.

Gilda’s LaughFest, presented by Gun Lake Casino, today announced some of the headliners participating during LaughFest’s festival, March 16-20. Additionally, Justin Willman, magician, comedian and creator of Netflix’s Magic for Humans, will perform during Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids’ 20th anniversary Red Door Gala on March 15.

After months of excruciating physical rehabilitation, Detroit Comedy Legend returns to the stage after miraculously surviving a car crash that nearly claimed his life, legendary comedy-icon, Skeeter Murray, makes his highly anticipated return to the stage on February 26, 2022, in his live stand-up show, “UNFINISHED BUSINESS”

This February, BAM will pay tribute to groundbreaking actress Cicely Tyson, who passed away in 2021 and left behind a formidable legacy and a 60-year career that included several Emmys, a Tony Award, an honorary Oscar, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Playwright Ishmael Reed uses satire to explore aspects of American culture and history overlooked by others. His newest play, The Slave Who Loved Caviar, is a theatrical investigation into the relationship between Jean-Michel Basquiat and the art world. It challenges the notion that Basquiat was merely Andy Warhol's 'mascot.'

Playwright Ishmael Reed uses satire to explore aspects of American culture and history overlooked by others. His newest play, 'The Slave Who Loved Caviar: A Theatrical Investigation Into the Relationship Between Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol,' challenges the notion that Basquiat was merely Warhol's 'mascot.' Theater for the New City will present its world premiere December 23, 2021 to January 9, 2022, directed by Reed's frequent collaborator, Carla Blank.

Taken by the one-sided commentary about the relationship between Andy Warhol, a god of the New York Art World, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, made by Warhol groupies and critics, Reed offers a different view. His new play, 'The Slave Who Loved Caviar, A Theatrical Investigation Into the Relationship Between Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol,' challenges the notion that Jean-Michel Basquiat was merely Warhol’s “mascot.”

Steve Hughes considers himself lucky to be alive. He has spent the past five years confronting his demons and recovering from a crippling breakdown and severe depression. 

Comedian/actress Sandra Bernhard will be enthralling her adoring audience with A DECADE OF MADNESS AND MAYHEM, a night of her standup comedy, October 8, 2021 at The Wallis. Renown for her outspokenness and outrageousness, the always very candid Sandra will speak her witty mind in her usual laughs-inducing act that only Sandra Bernhard can do. Had the chance to delve a little into Sandra’s always deliberating psyche.

Word Collections has confirmed agreements to represent the work of legendary comedians Billy Crystal and Drew Carey. Word Collections licenses legally required, non-musical Literary Work rights in spoken word comedy and other performing arts for streaming services such as Spotify, YouTube, broadcast radio (digital and terrestrial) and others.

The title track, which recalls early Hold Steady with its raucous guitars and Bradbury's freewheeling, almost conversational delivery, distills this experience into one frantic, infectiously catchy minute, translating that particularly painful meeting into a blistering takedown of the commodification of art.

The play reunites the creative duo of award-winning playwright Levy Lee Simon (The Magnificent Dunbar Hotel; For the Love of Freedom: The Haitian Trilogy) and acclaimed director Ben Guillory (who is also Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Robey Theatre Company).

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) today announced that Norman Lear would receive the AAFCA TV Honors Legend Award as part of its Special Achievement Honoree class during the 3rd annual affair. The virtual ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 21st at 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET.

To bring those sounds to life, Bradbury tapped close friends and band mates Chase Ballenger, Preston Cochran, Ryan Sobb and Scottie Prudhoe to join him in the studio.

The comedy and musicianship displayed by comic/actor Dave Konig and music director Elliot Finkel in Don’t Tell Mama last night was reminiscent of the glory days of Borscht Belt Hotels. 

Here is my interview with Gloria Gifford about presenting LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS live-streamed online as well as her Gloria Gifford Conservatory and how she is managing to keep her students active during the past year.