TV: Daniel Beaty Brings 'Emergency' to Geffen

Daniel Beaty, actor and playwright, has brought his well received one-man show Emergency to the Geffen Playhouse, having originally premiered it at New York's Public Theatre in 2006 where it was titled Emergence-SEE! Under the direction of Charles Randolph Wright, the production is currently previewing with opening night set for April 23.

Beaty is a Yale graduate, an activist, a classically trained musician, an award-winning actor and playwright, a slam poet champion. Emergency "artfully blends comedy, music, slam poetry and social consciousness as Beaty fluently transforms into more than 40 characters throughout the course of the show, each reacting to a single awe-inspiring event: a historic slave ship has risen out of the Hudson River in front of the Statue of Liberty," state press notes.

"The juxtaposition of these two politically charged symbols sends New Yorkers into a whirlwind of emotion, exploration and ultimately, inspiration, as Beaty embodies his characters - a Republican business executive, a park-dwelling transsexual, a distinguished college professor, a 'slavologist,' a precocious child - with authenticity, passion and humor."

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims joined Beaty at the Geffen Playhouse and spoke with the multi-talented creator of Emergency about the play's origins and social relevance in this continually changing political landscape.

Emergency will perform through May 25, 2008 at the Geffen Playhouse. Tickets can be purchased online at GeffenPlayhouse.com, by calling 310-208-5454 or at the box-office, located at 10886 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood. And for more from James Sims visit www.simsscoop.com.