LeRoi Jones News

Events have been announced for October at National Sawdust. See the full lineup below!

National Sawdust curator and Grammy-winning writer, actor, and artist Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) will broaden the scope of new music and hip hop curations by programming four multimedia events at the performing arts institution in Williamsburg, Brooklyn from October 7 a?" 10.

The 2019 National Black Theatre Festival has ended with memories of grandeur and spectacular stage plays. Here is my review of the productions I attended.

The OBIE and New York Innovative Theatre Award-winning Peculiar Works Project, under the co-artistic direction of Ralph Lewis, Catherine Porter, and Barry Rowell, is pleased to announce Afterparty: The Rothko Studio, a site-specific immersive performance in and around the former studio of legendary painter Mark Rothko.

The OBIE and New York Innovative Theatre Award-winning Peculiar Works Project, under the co-artistic direction of Ralph Lewis, Catherine Porter, and Barry Rowell, is pleased to announce Afterparty: The Rothko Studio, a site-specific immersive performance in and around the former studio of legendary painter Mark Rothko.

Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) is venturing into an exciting, collaborative approach to subscription ticket sales this season. A true partnership with local presenters, the Mix & Match program saves patrons 25% on tickets and gives them the flexibility to choose from TCA 19-20 Season AND Resident Artist offerings. "We are grateful for the relationships we have with our resident companies and the support of the arts community. Collectively, our goal is to create equity by providing diverse, inclusive and accessible art to the Tempe community," says Ralph Remington, Tempe Center for the Arts' Producing Artistic Director and Deputy Director for Tempe Arts & Culture.

Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) is venturing into an exciting, collaborative approach to subscription ticket sales this season. A true partnership with local presenters, the Mix & Match program saves patrons 25% on tickets and gives them the flexibility to choose from TCA 19-20 Season AND Resident Artist offerings. 'We are grateful for the relationships we have with our resident companies and the support of the arts community. Collectively, our goal is to create equity by providing diverse, inclusive and accessible art to the Tempe community,' says Ralph Remington, Tempe Center for the Arts' Producing Artistic Director and Deputy Director for Tempe Arts & Culture.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) has scheduled talk backs to follow five matinee performances of 'Looking for Leroy' by Larry Muhammad, a two-character play that reflects on the legacy of the late Leroi Jones/Amiri Baraka.  Baraka was a leading dramatist the 20th century who defined the role of the Black playwright for our age.  NFT is presenting the world premiere of this play February 28 to March 31 at Castillo Theater, 543 West 42nd Street. 

What is Black theater? How is it defined and by whom? What is the relationship between the Black dramatist, their creation and the Black community at large? 'Looking for Leroy' by Larry Muhammad explores these questions through the legacy of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, who was one of the most important dramatists the 20th century and who defined the role of the Black playwright for our age. This two-character play imagines five encounters between Baraka, a literary lion now in his 60s, and an intern in his 20s who idolizes him, challenges him and aims to be like him.

American Blues Theater announces the addition of five new Ensemble members and one new Artistic Affiliate to the Blues family. Joining the Ensemble is director, designer and Associate Producer Elyse Dolan, who directed several works in past Ripped and Blue Ink festivals; designer Jared Gooding, lighting designer of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; actor Philip Earl Johnson, who is slated to appear in the upcoming Chicago premiere of Steven Dietz's On Clover Road; director Chuck Smith, director of the recent American Blues production of Pearl Cleage's Flyin' West; and actress and playwright Wandachristine, who won many awards for her solo performance Beauty's Daughter. Actor Zachary Stevenson has been named an Artistic Affiliate. Stevenson recently made his Chicago debut as 'Buddy Holly' in American Blues Theater's Joseph Jefferson Award-winning musical Buddy - the Buddy Holly Story, in which he also won a Jeff Award for Performance in a Musical.

From November 8 to 18, Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will present 'The November Readings Series,' with readings of eight plays at Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd Street.  This series is devoted to brilliant one- and two-character plays, a dramatic form that most theaters neglect.  It will be used to develop African-American writers and to select plays that New Federal Theatre may present as full productions in its 2019-20 season.  The lineup includes works by Trevor Rhone, Howard Craft, Edgar Nkosi White, J.E. Franklin, Ivy Omere, Larry Muhammad, Richie McCall and Reginald T. Jackson.  Suggested donation is $10 and tickets can be purchased at www.castillo.org. The box office number is 212-941-1234.  For complete info, visit:  www.newfederaltheatre.org.

Primary Stages (Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Shane D. Hudson, Executive Director; Casey Childs, Founder) is proud to announce complete casting today for the first two productions of their 2018/19 season: Final Follies, by A.R. Gurney (Love Letters, Sylvia, Black Tie at Primary Stages) and directed by David Saint (Clever Little Lies), and Downstairs by Theresa Rebeck ("Smash," Dead Accounts, Poor Behavior at Primary Stages), directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt (What We're Up Against). All performances will take place at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St, New York, NY, 10014).

The final off-Broadway performances of Hannah Gadsby's critically acclaimed and multi-award winning show, Nanette, are scheduled for June 20 - 30 at SoHo Playhouse.  Presented by WestBeth Entertainment, SoHo Playhouse, Barrow Street Productions and Token Events, tickets are on sale now for all performances. 

Hannah Gadsby's critically acclaimed and multi-award winning show, Nanette, has been extended for the third time running off-Broadway at The SoHo Playhouse. The new set of NYC performances will run June 20 through June 30 following two Los Angeles performances at Largo on June 6 and 7, 2018. Presented by WestBeth Entertainment, SoHo Playhouse, Barrow Street Productions and Token Events, tickets are on sale now for all performances.

The Actors Studio Drama School 2018 Repertory Season opened Week Six of its seven-week series of exciting and challenging theater productions with The Slave by LeRoi Jones and The Mistress of Wholesome by Jacob Appel. The season features the work of the graduating MFA Acting, Directing, and Playwriting students who collaborate on professionally produced productions presented at 3LD Art & Technology Center.

Hannah Gadsby's critically acclaimed and multi-award winning show, Nanette, has been extended for the second time running off-Broadway at The SoHo Playhouse. The final NYC performance is set for Saturday, May 26, 2018, followed by two Los Angeles performances at Largo on June 6 and 7, 2018. Presented by WestBeth Entertainment, SoHo Playhouse, Barrow Street Productions and Token Events, tickets are on sale now for the additional performances.

In celebration of Black History Month, co-producers Megan Smith and Alphonso Walker Jr. present a fresh revival of Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, an emotionally charged and highly symbolic version of the Adam and Eve story. Directed by Broadway performer and director, DeMone, this production has an immersive concept, leading the audience into a recreation of the subway atmosphere and seating audience directly in the train car. The play runs February 8-11, 2018 at The Secret Theatre; tickets on sale now.

In celebration of Black History Month, co-producers Megan Smith and Alphonso Walker Jr. present a fresh revival of Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, an emotionally charged and highly symbolic version of the Adam and Eve story. Directed by Broadway performer and director, DeMone, this production has an immersive concept, leading the audience into a recreation of the subway atmosphere and seating audience directly in the train car. The play runs February 8-11, 2018 at The Secret Theatre; tickets on sale now.

Due to popular demand, YouTube sensation Katie Goodman's Broad Comedywill return to the SoHo Playhouse (sohoplayhouse.com) beginning January 29, 2018. The internationally-touring riotous, ridiculous, and in-your-face all-women troupe, Broad Comedy, stars Danielle Cohn, Molly Kelleher, Tana Sirois, Carlita Victoria and Katie Goodman. Broad Comedy played the SoHo Playhouse last May in a limited three-show run and is being welcomed back for an official Off-Broadway run, playing Mondays at 7:30pm through March 26 at the Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street). Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by visiting www.sohoplayhouse.com

Australian comedian, Hannah Gadsby, will make her New York City debut with her multi-award winning and critically acclaimed show, Nanette,opening Friday, March 9 at SoHo Playhouse and running for five weeks only. Presented by WestBeth Entertainment, SoHo Playhouse, Barrow Street Productions and Token Events, tickets go on sale on Thursday, January 25 at 10:00 AM.