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Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Leon to stay on in ‘Ceremonies’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s official. Kenny Leon will be playing the part of the ominous Blue Haven for the rest of the True Colors Theatre run of “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.” E. Roger Mitchell, who gave a searing performance as the villain of the Lonne Elder III classic, was taken sick a couple of weeks ago, and won’t be returning for personal reasons.
The show, starring the wiley Glynn Turman (HBO’s “The Wire”) and real-life brothers Brandon and Jason Dirden, had already been extended to Aug. 19 before Mitchell became ill. After the National Black Arts Festival closed Sunday, the show was dark for a few nights while Turman performed his one-man tell-all, “Movin’ Man,” at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Now it’s on to Chapter 2. On Friday night (Aug. 3), “Ceremonies” will have a “re-opening,” followed by a party at Slice pizza parlor around the corner from Theatrical Outfit’s Balzer Theater at Herren’s downtown. (Tickets and info: truecolorstheatrecompany.com)
Leon, lest you don’t recall, directed “Ceremonies,” and his pitch-hitting for Mitchell was first reported on this blog on July 21. Last week, AJC staff writer Michelle Hiskey wrote about the high-profile Broadway director’s rush to learn his lines in her Celebri-Tee feature. Hiskey’s profile is highly recommended.
Also: Photos: Celebri-Tee with Kenny Leon
Marietta’s answer to the Tonys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fresh news from Marietta. Theatre in the Square’s inhouse awards for artistic excellence were announced Monday night, and the big winners for the 2006-2007 season were Phillip DePoy’s Celestine Sibley tribute, “Turned Funny,” and Sonja Linden’s “I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me By a Young Lady From Rwanda.”
“Turned Funny,” the wildly popular world-premiere season opener that recently enjoyed a summer revival, picked up five Jennie Awards, while “Young Lady From Rwanda” earned three and “Mount Pleasant Homecoming,” the latest in the Sanders Family saga, garnered two.
Marietta’s answer to Broadway’s Tonys, the Jennies are given in two categories: for productions on the theater’s Main Stage and its smaller Alley Stage.
Amongst Alley troupers, Randy Maggiore and Farida Kalala won in the lead actor and actress categories for “Rwanda,” which was also named “favorite” Alley production. Jessica Phelps West won top featured actress for “Crooked.” (West’s performance was truly one of the best of the Atlanta season, in my humble opinion.)
Back on the Mainstage, the entire cast of “Turned Funny” won Jennies: lead actress Linda Stephens (who played Sibley); Jill Jane Clements (who played her mother and other roles) and Rick Reitz (who created all the male parts in DePoy’s play with music, including that of Sibley mentor Ralph McGill).
Clements reportedly was in tears, but irrepressible as always. Her exact words were said to be: “I’m not gonna lie to you, I really wanted this!” Directed by Fred Chappell, “Turned Funny” was designated favorite mainstage show, and Johnny Thigpen’s set and Todd Wren’s lighting were also cited.
Rounding out the Jennies, David Milford was named best mainstage actor for “All the King’s Men,” and “Mount Pleasant Homecoming” earned design citations for J.P. Peterson’s costumes and Brian Patterson’s sound.
Now would someone please tell me: Who was Jennie?
