Local Actor Phil Elam to Light Up the Stage in LILIES OF THE FIELD

After winning six honors at a variety of national and international film festivals with his debut producing effort, "SWING LOW," Detroit native Phil Elam is taking to the stage to play his most personally inspired role as the lead in the stage production of the beloved film, "Lilies of the Field."

The 1963 motion picture, "Lilies of the Field," earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Writing Screenplay, but its historical significance was the milestone performance of Sidney Poiter. His portrayal of handyman Homer Smith won the 1964 Oscar as Best Actor, making Poiter the first African American man to win the Best Actor Academy Award.

Elam will perform the role of Homer Smith in the stage production on Saturday, April 8 at the A.D. Hinds Performing Arts Theatre located at 8801 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Tickets will be available at the Theatre Box Office and on www.Eventbrite.com.

"I have admired Mr. Sidney Poiter, both as an actor and as a man, my entire life," said Phil Elam. "As an African American man living in a new generation, the significance of this role and Mr. Sidney Poiter's Oscar win is not lost on me, especially in these recent times. The story of Homer Smith still resonates as loudly now as it did in 1963. I am proud to be part of bringing it to the stage in Detroit."

The stage production will follow the film's plotline as a traveling handyman who becomes the answer to the prayers of nuns who wish to build a chapel in the desert. The film was adapted by James Poe from a 1962 novel of the same name by William Edmond Barrett. The stage production is part of an ensemble cast directed by Naytarsha Berry and executive producer LeDene Lewis.

The starring role adds to Elam's growing resume of notable accomplishments which began as a student at Detroit's Henry Ford High School and continued during his studies at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee.

"Each project is done out of love that will hopefully find a home and be of service to the audience," Elam said. "It is an extreme honor and a blessing to be a part of this ensemble production and, in some small way, help to be a part of sharing this historic story to a new generation."

Elam is now making his mark as both an actor and producer, in films, television and stage as evidenced by last year's release of the horror short "SWING LOW," directed by Marvin Towns, Jr. Elam not only wrote and starred in the film, but it was also his debut as a producer. "SWING LOW" went on to garner six honors at numerous national/international film festivals including: Best Actor Short Film (Elam) at the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival in Charleston, South Carolina; Best Original Song at Genre Blast in Richmond, Virginia; and the Best Director/Gold Award (Marvin Towns, Jr.) at the International Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.

"I love to be involved in any and all aspects of production," continued Elam. "I find the entire process fascinating and challenging. Down the road, I am very interested in doing more of this and I have several projects in mind I would like to produce. I still love to act, and acting is the point most of us enter the business, it keeps me involved and I am still learning along the way."

Other film acting credits include "The Citizen" (2012) and "Amerikan Violence" (2014).

Elam has also acted in several television series including "Lee Martin's The MidnightHour" (2012) and "Horror Hotel" (2016). He has also appeared in a number of music videos including two by fellow-Detroiter Eminem, "Detroit vs. Everybody" and "Rap God."

Photo Credit: Nicholas Yu

Need more Michigan Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...