BUDDY DREW - THE MUSICAL Brings New Meaning to the Black and White Cookie, 8/12
According to producer Adam Levowitz (www.adamlevowitz.com), "the Black and White Cookie symbolizes the harmony that opposites can have when forced together in the same way that BUDDY DREW – THE MUSICAL depicts. In fact, if there were ever two groups with more tragic histories in common than blacks and Jews, it would be hard pressed to find them. The hero of this one-of-a-kind musical embodies both cultures, overcoming horrendous odds to be able to declare 'Today I am a Man' on the day of his bar mitzvah."
The Black and White Cookie gives one the best of both worlds in every bite, and BUDDY DREW – THE MUSICAL gives the audience the reality of both worlds. There is no sugar-coating there. But there is hope that out of the most unfortunate circumstances, with history and public opinion weighed against him, the main character rises above it all to become a respectable man.
Based on the real life story of Drew Brown III, BUDDY DREW – THE MUSICAL is a coming-of-age tale about a black kid from Harlem raised by his white, Jewish grandparents in Brighton Beach right smack dab in the middle of the prize fight known as the Civil Rights Movement. His black father, Bundini Brown, a street hustler from Harlem and also the corner man for the heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali, married Rhoda Palestine, a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn who reveled in the sights and sounds of the Harlem nightlife that Bundini reigned over. Together they made history and Drew Brown III.
Growing up with a life as shaky as a yarmulke on an Afro, Buddy Drew must contend with an absentee father who spent the better part of his life fostering the career, affection and respect of his "other" son, Muhammad Ali. Buddy Drew finds himself sparing with the world's greatest boxer for the love of Bundini. Like many father/son, love/hate relationships, Buddy Drew searches for his own identity and when is finally able to forgive, though he can never forget, fulfills his destiny prophesied at his own Bar Mitzvah speech and himself becomes a Real Jew. And today he is a man.
BUDDY DREW – THE MUSICAL features a rock score by DC based composer Adam B. Levowitz and book filled with wit and charm by and Houston based playwright Ashley Whitrock. This modern day Gilbert and Sullivan collaborating from different time zones, but unlike the infamous hate/hate relationship of the 19th century between G & S, L & W are good friends who have collaborated on a variety of projects including HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID, a not-yet-produced musicalization of the classic film Casablanca. And yes, the two dared to replace AS TIME GOES BY with their own modern day classic with the title song.
This is not a Jewish musical like FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, or a black musical like THE WIZ, but an American musical because as Buddy Drew will tell you: "I am not an African American! I am not an African American! I am not an African American! I am an American who happens to be black and Jewish and I keep Kosher and I eat pork rinds."
Like BUDDY DREW on Facebook! www.facebook.com/buddydrewthemusical
More information at: www.buddydrew.com
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