BWW Reviews: Mike Tyson Takes NJ PAC Audience Through the Rounds in UNDISPUTED TRUTH

Mike Tyson performed, "Undisputed Truth," at NJ PAC's Prudential Hall on Thursday Night. It was a one show only performance and Newark audiences were able to experience a window into the world of one of the most controversial figures in American Pop Culture. While Tyson provided the full narrative, sometimes acting out moments in a fight or a personal encounter, a large projection screen served as an excellent backdrop to highlight his discussion.

Seated on a stool center stage, Tyson started the show by greeting his audience, "Welcome to my living room." He continued by chronicling the events of his 46 years including his troubled youth, his rise to fame as the youngest Heavyweight Champion of the World at age 20, the havoc he reaped in and out of the ring, and his financial failing; squandering a reported 300 million before declaring bankruptcy in 2003.

Directed by Spike Lee, "Undisputed Truth" had a successful run at the MGM in Las Vegas and on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre. Tyson is now taking it the road across the country and around the world. The show reveals a personal magnetism that has not dimmed over the years. Spike Lee said, "It's a story about redemption. Where you can change things. Where you can turn things around. It takes courage to get in the ring, but it takes courage to get on stage." And Tyson showed that courage to an enthusiastic NJ PAC audience that laughed, empathized, and were at times shocked by Tyson's raw experiences. Laced with profanity, Tyson delivered "Undisputed Truth" with a thoughtful honesty.

Those of us who had preconceptions of Tyson character bolstered by media frenzy and tabloid news learned another side of a man who could be humorous, self-reflective, and truly loving to those he cared for. A tender Tyson was in full view when he talked about the loss of his mother and his sister, and most recently the accidental death of his four year old daughter.

Tyson spoke a good deal about his troubled youth growing up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. Speaking of the company he kept, Tyson said, "We were like a pack of wild wolves." Tyson had 38 arrests on his record by the age of 12. He was a "street fighter" who garnered a good deal of attention for his natural skill. His boxing ability attracted the attention of his first professional mentor, Bobby Stewart, while Tyson served time in a youth detention center as a teen.

Clearly, one of the most influential characters in forming his professional boxing career was the well known boxing manager and trainer, Cus D'Amato, who not only worked with Tyson's on his career, but also in became his guardian and gave him a sense of family. Yet, Tyson admitted the dilemma of being pulled between D'Amato's "white world" and that of his own background. Tyson was clearly indebted to D'Amato for the role he played in his life. Speaking of his boxing career, Tyson said, "In the ring, I was invincible."

Tyson defended himself to the audience against the rape charge that sent him to an Indiana Prison for 3 years. Yet, he talks of this prison time as a chance to be "still" and the good personal decision to convert to Islam. In prison, Tyson was visited by many people including JAmes Brown, Spike Lee, and Al Sharpton. His most humorous prison anecdote was about the unexpected visit from Florence Henderson of Brady Bunch fame. His comments accented the stark contrast between himself and Henderson.

Tyson expressed no affection for his one-time boxing promoter, Don King, as he talked about a financial "audit" that found King was charging him $8,000.00 a week for towels. Tyson prevailed in a law suit against King.

Tyson recounted some of his famed matches including the one against Holyfield in 1997 that resulted in his disqualification when he bit Holyfield's ear. Yet, since the much publicized event, the two men have been friendly.

In 2006, Tyson went to rehabilitation for his cocaine addiction calling it, "The best forced decision I ever made." He admits to being high on drugs and overweight when he filmed his breakout cameo in The Hangover. Tyson is proud now to be three years sober.

As the show neared the close, Tyson spoke about the importance of being good father to his children as he displayed their pictures. A gracious final moment in the show occurred when Tyson thanked the audience for allowing him to share his story and this brought the NJ PAC's audience to their feet. And what a story it is.

NJ PAC's presentation of "Undisputed Truth" proves their deep interest in providing a wide variety of cultural experiences for the public. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center is conveniently located in the Arts District of Newark and is easily accessible by mass transit and car. The month of May will feature an excellent line-up to suit every theatergoer's taste. Tickets for all performances may be purchased by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722), in person at the NJPAC box office, or online at www.njpac.org.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Artist

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