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Broadway Black History Musical

Karamu House: Celebrating 100 Years

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This past Saturday, there was a huge celebration for Karamu House; home to the Karamu Theatre for the past 95 years, the event was held at the Cleveland Museum of Art to celebrkaramu logoate its first century.  The event, “Karamu: 100 Years in the House,” friends and alums were honored for their work.  The honorees included founders Rowena and Russell Jelliffe (Oberlin College sweethearts with the vision and connections to make the community arts and resource center a nationally celebrated model), Cleveland political legend George Forbes (who helped lead numerous campaigns to raise monies for improvements to the House throughout its life), the late Reuben Silver and wife Dorothy (stewards of the Jelliffes’ cultural mission who shaped generations of actors and directors during Reuben’s tenure as artistic director of Karamu Theatre from 1955 to 1976), and “Grey’s Anatomy” star James Pickens Jr. (an East High School grad who started his acting career on the boards at Karamu).

In 1915, Russell and Rowena Woodham Jelliffe, graduates of Oberlin College in nearby Oberlin, Ohio, founded what was then called The Neighborhood Association, and it was created as a place where anyone, regardless of race or religion could find common ground, and soon, it was obvious that the arts was the best way to bring people together, and in 1917, plays at the “Playhouse Settlement” began.

Shortly after, large numbers of African Americans moved to Cleveland from the south in the 1920s.  Resisting pressure to exclude their new neighbors, the Jelliffes insisted that all races were welcome, and the Playhouse Settlement quickly became a magnet for some of the best African American artists of the day. Actors, dancers, print makers and writers all found a place where they could practice their crafts. Karamu was also a contributor to the Harlem Renaissance, and Langston Hughes was a frequent visitor.

The Playhouse Settlement was officially renamed Karamu House in 1941, and it’s name was intentionally chosen to reflect the strong influences of African American culture. Karamu is a word in the Kiswahili language meaning “a place of joyful gathering,” and is a place where families can gather, share stories, feast, and enjoy.  Karamu has a tradition of allowing the audience to meet, and greet actors in a reception line, the “gathering place” extends itself into the community through such face to face encounters.

In 1940, Eleanor Roosevelt, in the language of the times, called Karamu Theatre “the most outstanding colored little theatre in the country.”  In June of 1951, Life magazine heralded Karamu House as standing as “a milestone in the progress of U.S. race relations.”

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Broadway Black History Musical

Isaiah Johnson Joins Reading of “Reginald”

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Isaiah Johnson is set to lead a reading of Reginald: From Baltimore to Billionaire, which is based on the life of Reginald F. Lewis.

In case you missed this day in history class, Reginald F. Lewis is the first Black billionaire. He rose to affluence in the ’80s and died at the age of 50. Over his 5 decades of life, Reginald attended Harvard Law and achieved his status through his corporate acquisitions. He left his legacy through philanthropic efforts, donating millions of dollars each year to a number of institutions, from homeless shelters to neighborhood churches.

Written by Kevin Ray Johnson, Reginald takes us on a journey from childhood to billionaire status, and the struggles of life he faced in between. Isaiah joins the cast as Reginald F. Lewis. Lora Nicolas will play Loida Nicolas-Lewis, the wife of Reginald F. Lewis. The rest of the cast includes: Jessica Frances Dukes (Booty Candy at Playwrights Horizons), Savannah Frazier (Amazing Grace), Troy Hopper, Matt Welsh, Joe Sergio, Emily Bailey and Timothy-Michael Chastain.

The reading will be held Monday August 15th, 7:00 pm at Shetler Studios Penthouse 2.

Johnson is currently wondering how a man can do good, when all he knows is bad, under “Celie’s Curse” as Mister in the Tony-winning best revival of The Color Purple. Before The Color Purple, Johnson was seen in The Winter’s Tale, Peter and The Starcatcher, and The Merchant of Venice as Prince of Morocco.

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A Must See

Smokey Joe’s Cafe Sets Broadway Return

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The longest-running musical revue to play Broadway is making a triumphant return this summer as producers announced the comeback of hit revue Smokey Joe’s Cafe.

The Jukebox musical that garnered Tony award nominations for Broadway Black stars Victor Trent Cook, B.J. Crosby and the illustrious Brenda Braxton, is set for a revival, with rehearsals starting around the end of May, according to an Actors Equity audition posting.  Previews are scheduled for July 19

Original producers Richard Frankel, Steve Baruch, Tom Viertel and Marc Routh are joining original cast Tony-nominated director Jerry Zaks to revive the hit revue.   The show features songs by writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, including fan favorites “Hound Dog,”  “Jailhouse Rock,” “I’m a Woman,” and “On Broadway.”  After Midnight Choreographer,Warren Carlyle, has also signed on, along with musical direction by Sonny Paladino.

Smokey Joe’s opened on Broadway March 2, 1995 and despite harsh critical reviews, had substantial commercial success.   The revue earned five Tony award nominations in 1995 including Best Featured Actress, Best Featured Actor, Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Musical.  It also won the Grammy for Best Musical Show Album in 1996.  After a nearly five year run and a bevy of special appearances, including Gloria Gaynor, Lou Rawls and Gladys Knight, the show closed Jan of 2000 after 2,036 performances.

In 2014, nearly 20 years after the first performance, Braxton directed original cast members for reunion concert performance of Smokey Joe’s at the famed Feinstein’s/ 54 Below.

“There’s so much history with us,” Braxton shared with the second of two sold-out crowds. “We weren’t just [together] on Broadway, we were a family.”

Production has yet to announce a venue.

Be sure to check in with Broadway Black for all the latest information!

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