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Kecia Lewis Assumes The Role of “Mother Courage”

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10 years ago

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I don’t know about y’all, but I was biting my nails waiting to see who was going to step into the role of “Mother Courage” in Classic Stage Company’s production of Mother Courage and Her Children. The answer to that question is six-time Broadway alum, Kecia Lewis.

Making her Broadway debut as “Effie” in Dreamgirls at the age of 18, Lewis has gone on to lead a rich career on the Great White Way. She originated the role of “Aska” in Once on this Island, “Trix” in The Drowsey Chaperone, and “Ida Mae” in Leap of Faith. Additionally, Lewis has been seen in Big River, Ain’t Misbehavin, Gospel At Colonus, and Chicago. On screen, Lewis has a recurring role on “Law & Order: SVU” and “Limitless.” She’ll also be featured in the new season of Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

There’s no beating around the bush. Tonya Pinkins left the cast before the show opened. Some called her angry, some called her courageous, and some debated over her decision with summaries written by people who clearly didn’t read her statement. It was controversial. And while my opinion falls on the side of praising a woman who knows her worth, creative value, and duty to protect and depict a sincere portrait, I realize that this is merely MY opinion, as this decision was HER decision.

But none of these revelations outweigh the fact that, as Pinkins so eloquently pinned, #BlackPerspectivesMatter.

The show clearly had to go on, but I have a word for Mrs. Lewis: As you join this company, the tremendous talent that you are, don’t let the show go on without your voice and vision infused into your portrayal of this role.

“Mother Courage” is a woman that takes the highs with the lows, and, in fact, turns the lows into a version of energetic strength. This is a woman determined — fueled with indomitable willpower, resourcefulness, and courage – and on a relentless journey to keep herself and her children alive.

This production takes a story, which was originally set to depict a European wartime, and deliberately molds it to give relevance to the modern-day conflagration in the Congo. Our culture is supposed to be woven into this play, and I challenge you, Mrs. Lewis, to defend the integrity of our people.

CSC artistic director, Brian Kulick, wanted to grow Mother Courage’s character from soils of “delusion,” but I challenge you to allow your character to soar in a way that reflects your perspective and truth as a Black woman and mother.

Lewis has big shoes to fill. And they’re laced with consciousness and bravery.

As we get settled into the new year, there’s one thing we’re not settling on– our representation. We’re going to continue to fight to have our voices heard and our stories shared in creative spaces.

Break a leg, Mrs. Lewis.

Mother Courage And Her Children began previews December 10 and Lewis starts January 8.The cast also includes Joshua Boone, Curtiss Cook Jr., Kevin Mambo, Jacob Ming-Trent, Geoffrey Owens, Michael Potts, Deandre Sevon, Mirirai Sithole and Zenzi Williams. The score is written by Duncan Sheik, set design by Tony Straiges, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Justin Townsend and sound design by Matt Stine.

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  1. Pingback: Kecia Lewis & Rebecca Naomi Jones to Star in Marie and Rosetta

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Events and Happenings

Erika Dickerson-Despenza Addresses Flint Water Crisis with Cullud Wattah

Published

7 years ago

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March 7, 2019

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Playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza

There is limited seating left for Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s new play CULLUD WATTAH at The Public Theater. Opening today, Thursday, March 7th and running until Sunday, March 10th in the Public Studio is about three generations of Black women living through the current water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

“It’s been 936 days since Marion’s family has had clean water. When local activists file a class action lawsuit against the city, Marion—a third-generation employee at General Motors—must decide how best to support her two daughters, sister, and mother while lead seeps into the community, their home, and their bodies. As corrosive memories and secrets rise among them, the family wonders if they’ll ever be able to filter out the truth.”

2018 Relentless Award Semifinalist and poet-playwright makes her Public Theater debut with CULLUD WATTAH directed by Lilly Award winner Candis C. Jones; the cast includes Deonna Bouye (Marion), Alana Raquel Bowers (Reesee), Caroline Stefanie Clay (Big Ma), Nikiya Mathis (Ainee), and Kara Young (Plum).

The creative team includes Production Stage Manager Gregory Fletcher, Stage Manager Priscilla Villanueva, and Movement Director Adesola Osakalumi. Along with scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, Costume Design by Ntokozo Fuzunina Kunene, lighting Design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, and sound design by Megan Culley

We believe in this work so much we’re giving away 4 tickets to the performances on March 10th. 2 tickets to the matinee and two the evening performance thanks to our founder Drew Shade and actress/playwright Jocelyn Bioh. Go to our Instagram to find out how!

Also, find out more about how you can help the Flint Water Crisis and support this show HERE.

Listen to Erika talk about her work on an episode of Off Book Podcast below

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Events and Happenings

Surely Goodness and Mercy by Chisa Hutchinson Begins Off-Broadway

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7 years ago

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February 26, 2019

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Performances begin today, Tuesday February 26th, for the New York premiere of  Surely Goodness and Mercy, presented by Keen Company. A story about an exceptional boy living a troubled life in Newark, NJ who does a good deed for an often unnoticed person.   Sarita Covington, Jay Mazyck, Brenda Pressley, Courtney Thomas, and Cezar Williams star under Jessi D. Hill’s direction.

Set in an under-funded public school in Newark, Surely Goodness and Mercy by rising playwright Chisa Hutchinson, tells the story of a bible-toting boy with a photographic memory who befriends the cantankerous old lunch lady. Against all odds, Tino and Bernadette help each other through the mess of growing up and growing old.  

Surely Goodness and Mercy has spent the last year charming audiences across the country: “Notably absent from Hutchinson’s frank and sobering story: cynicism” – Chicago Reader; “(Surely Goodness and Mercy has) a soul-stirring quality, touching audiences with its sincerity” – Daily Utah Chronicle; “it’s impossible not to like it” – The Salt Lake Tribune. Now, Keen is honored to bring this big-hearted new play to New York for the first time.

Performances for this limited Off-Broadway engagement of Surely Goodness and Mercy will continue through Saturday, April 13th only, with opening night set for Wednesday, March 13th.

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