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Portland Observer NOVEMBER 29,1989 Page 5
itaa ENTERTAINMENT
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Oregon Symphony To Present "Holiday POPS”
Broad Report
by Garland Lee Thompson
TH E 17TH ANNUAL AUDELCO
BLACK THEATRE
RECOGNITION AWARDS
The seventeenth Annual AUDELCO
Black Theatre Recognition Awards was held
at the Aaron Davis Hall - City College of
New York Monday night, November 20,
1989.
The star-studded gala event honoring
the best of Black Theatre was packed with
emotions as the award for “ Best Drama”
went to "T h e Talented Tenth,” a new play
Richard Wesley. It was produced by the
Manhattan Theatre Club at the City Center
Theatre of New York. In addition to “ Best
Playwright Award,” other AUDELCO Awards
were won by the Manhattan Theatre Club
production of “ The Talented Tenth;”
“ Dramatic Production of the Year,” “ Best
Director/Dramatic Production” (M. Neema
Barnette), “ Best Sound Design” (David
Lawson), “ Best Supporting Actress” (La-
Tanya Richardson), “ Best Lead Actress”
(Marie Thomas), and ‘ ‘ Dramatic Production
of the Year.”
EIG HT AUDELCO AWARDS
FOR TH E NATIONAL
BLACK THEATRE
The National Black Theatre’s musical
production, “ Song o f Sheba,” has captured
eight 1989 AUDELCO Awards including:
“ Best Musical Production of the Year;”
“ Outstanding Performance in a Musical by
a Female” (Johanna Daughtrey). Clarice L.
Thompson received "Outstanding Musical
Director.” Elmo Terry-Morgan received
“ Best Director for a Musical Production.
“ Outstanding Musical Creator” went to both
Clarice L. Thompson and Elmo Terry-Mor
gan. “ Best Choreography” was presented to
Judith Samuel. “ Best Lighting Design” went
to Melody Beal.
* * The Talented Tenth,” is the latest play
by Richard Wesley, who has been writing
primarily for film and television in rocently
years (“ Uptown Saturday Night,” “ Let’s
Do It A gain” and “ Native Son,” etc.) His
last play to reach Broadway in New York
was “ The Might Gents,” which this writer
first produced Off-Off Broadway in 1977,
under the title of * ‘The Last Street Play,” for
the Frank Silvera W riters’ Workshop. Both
the Workshop and the Eugene O ’Neill Play
wrights’ Center were given credit for assist
ing the development of that powerful Rich
ard Wesley play.
Richard Wesley is a founding member
and w as on the board of directors of the Frank
Silvera W riters’ Workshop for a number of
years in the seventeen years since this writer
founded the Workshop in New York for
development of new playwrights and the
theatre.
The AUDELCO “ Outstanding Pioneer”
Award for this year went to actress/pro-
ducer/director, Cynthia Belgrave, whose career
in the theatre spans more than thirty years
She has appeared in the original New York
production of “ Take A Giant Step,” “ The
Blacks,” "Funnyhouse o f a Negro,” and
Nobel Prize winner, Wole Soyinka’s “ the
Trials of Brother Jero.” Ms. Belgrave has
directed and produced a number of impor
tant plays at her CBA Studio Theatre in
Brooklyn, New York.
It was ‘ ‘old hom e’ ’ night for this writer,
who had not attended the New York
AUDELCO Black Theatre Awards presenta
tion since 1985, when we, at the Frank Sil
vera W riters’ Workshop, won AUDELCO
Awards for “ Best Actor” and “ Best Sup
porting Actor” in the production of “ Tous
saint L’Overture, Angel-warrior of Haiti,”
starring Anthonio Fagas.
The AUDELCO Recognition Awards
was founded in 1973 by Vivian Robinson,
who was formerly with the Amsterdam News,
the largest African-American weekly news
paper in New York. The concept of the
AUDELCO (Audience Development Com
mittee, Inc.) is to salute and pay tribute to the
many African-American artists and Black
Theatre productions that ate produced in the
New York and the Tri-state area of New
Jersey, Conn, and New York.
The Colored Museum Back By
Popular Demand At The IFCC
Last season The Oregonian called it "audacious
theatre, challenging politics, and one of the best
shows in town." Now the IFCC's critically acclaimed
production of The Colored Museum returns, Nov. 15
through Dec. 17, complete with the original cast
including Willie Award winner Brenda Phillips and
jazz singer Shirley Nanette.
Eleven "exhibits" or sketches unfold against a
museum background in this searing, satirical revue by
George c. Wolfe. Sophisticated wit, song and chilling
drama combine to explore and explode the stere
otypes and myths surrounding Black America.
If you saw it last year, you'll want to come back and bring a friend. If you
missed it last year, here's a second chance to enter one of the funniest, most
enlightening museums around!
There are performances available to fit everyone's schedule and pocket
book: The preview on Nov. 14 at 8:00 p.m. is only $5. Special performances
on Nov. 15 and 16 are gala benefits for the IFCC to help replace funds lost in
this year's City budget cuts. Tickets are S25 per person and the event includes
a post-show champagne reception with entertainment on Wednesday night by
Art Alexander, and Thaursday night by Janice Scroggins. The Colored
Museum continues through Dec. 17, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m.
and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are going fast so call 243-7930 for
reservations today!
Unity o f Love.
6720 N.E.
Martin Luther King Blvd.
(Formerly Union Ave.)
283-5440
h o l id a y
S P E C IA L
SPECIAL ON ALL CURLS
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D e s ig n e r C url
Touch Up
$55.00
$45.00
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$25.00
Ask for Daryl For Discount!
The Oregon Symphony’s Merrill
Lynch Pops series presents “ Holiday
Pops” featuring the Portland Symphonic
Choir and soprano Amy Dothman at 8
p.m. on Sat., Dec. 9, at the Arlene Sch-
nitzer Concert Hall. Oregon Symphony
assistant conductor Frank Diliberto
conducts, to be repeated at 3 p.m. and 8
p.m. on Sun., Dec. 10; and at 8 p.m. on
Monday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 12,
at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The program combines a full blend
of Christmas season favorites for the
entire family including excerpts from
Tchaikovsky’s “ The Nutcracker Suite”
and a medley of music from the movie
“ Miracle on 34th Street.” Other tradi
tional tunes such as “ Winter Wonder
land,” “ Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas,” “ We Wish You a Merry
Christmas,” “ O Santissima,” “ Joy to
the W orld,” and “ Away in a Manger,”
followed by a Christmas carol sing-along
will surely bring on good cheer.
Tickets are nearly sold out for all
performances except the Saturday eve
ning concert. Tickets are $10 to $23 and
are available at the Oregon Symphony’s
ticket office in downtown Portland at
719 SW Alder, open weekdays from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets may be charged by
telephone at 228-1353. Tickets also are
available at the Performing Arts Center
Box Office, Monday through ticket
centers.
The Portland Symphonic Choir, di
rected by Dr. Bruce Browne, is the offi
cial choir of the Oregon Symphony
Orchestra.
M o v ie R e v ie w s :
by Danny Bell
Harlem Nights and Sidewalk Stories
Harlem Nights is Eddie Murphy’s lat
est effort in cinema, it also marks his first
time as a director, along with increasing his
credits as a producer, and leading man.
Harlem Nights has some of the ele
ments of the godfather. Sting, and a little
know Black film Baby needs a new pair of
shoes. Harlem Nights is rated (R) primarily
for the use of profanity. The film also has a
lot of off screen violence, and death. Con
sidering the subject matter, which is a white
ganglord uninvited take over of a posh
”A Celebration Of Duke Ellington” Is A Triumph
For The Schomburg Center
Black owned speakeasy. The story seems
credible, and holds the viewers interest.
In defense of Harlem Nights which has
received some strident reviews, this is es
sentially adult entertainment and the screen
play is plausible and there are some unex
pected, but interesting turn of events.
Richard Pryor gave an understated and
fine performance as Sugar Ray. Further
more Red Foxx and Della Reese both turn
adequate performances in their respective
role as a croupier and madame.
On a whole Harlem Nights is entertain
ing, albeit it deals with an era that was less
tolerant than today, and with the subject of
crime during the 1920s.
The film "Sidewalk Stories” is a rare
endeavor, in that is it a silent movie. Char
les Lane writer, producer, and central char
acter has produced a film that is intellectu
ally engaging, whose story line is remin-
scent of a children’s fairytale.
"Sidew alk Stories” is about a home
less Greenwich Village street artist who
inadvertently becomes a guardian of a child
whose father is murdered.
The film also observes some of the
dilemmas of living a homeless life.
The fairytale effect comes from the
manner in which reality is suspended in
otherwise bleak existence, and the relation
ship of the artist and woman baby boutique
owner.
This is definitely an art film for those
who appreciate visual metaphor and lyri
cism.
“ Sidewalk Stories” musical score lends
a lot to the movie, and shows a expansion of
diversity accenting the various moods of
the film.
If one is interested in a fib experience
from the ordinary "Sidewalk Stories” is
mentally stimulating and provocative piece
of cinema.
by Lisa Collins
From left, Howard Dodson, Chief of the Schomburg Center, Mrs. Felix Rohatyn,
.Mercer Ellington and Mrs. Edgar Bronfman, Jr., gather at Sardi’s following “ A
Celebration of Duke Ellington.” Mrs. Bronfman and Mrs. Rohatyn were General
Chairmen of the event, which raised more than $240,000 for the Schomburg
Center’s historic expansion Project.
NEW YORK, N Y -th e Schomburg
Center for Research in Black Culture re
cently held a 90th birthday tribute to ac
knowledge and celebrate the rich legacy of
music left by composer, performer, con
ductor and arranger Edward Kennedy Elling
ton-better known as “ The Duke.” Con
noisseurs of fine music from business, social
and artistic fields came together for “ A
celebration of Duke Ellington," which raised
more than $240,000 for the Schomburg
Center’s historic expansion project.
The celebration was truly a family affair.
Mercer Ellington, the only child of Duke
Ellington, conducted the orchestra named
for his father, while Mercedes Ellington,
one of The Duke’s granddaughters, directed
and performed with her troupe, “ DancElling-
ton. ” Early in the evening, Gaye Ellington,
another of The Duke’s granddaughters,
displayed a series of her paintings inspired
by her grandfather’s varied musical themes.
Astor Hall, an elegant setting within
The New York Public Library, was the site
for the opening cocktail reception for 800
guests. A sold-out performance featuring
The Duke Ellington Orchestra followed at
the Shubert Theatre. Celebrities who par
ticipated in the program included John Blake,
Ed Bradley, Rosalind Cash, Honi Coles,
John Garcia Gensel, Savion Glover of
Broadway’s “ Black and blue,” dick G re
gory, Phyllis Hyman. Morgana King, Den
ise Nicholas, Bill Taylor and Leon Thomas.
In his autobiography. Music Is My
Mistress, Duke Ellington wrote: “ Jazz is
based on the sound of our native Heritage.
It is an American idiom with African roots-
a trunk of soul with limbs reaching in every
direction . . . ”
“ Duke Ellington’s contribution to the
world of America’s classical music, also
called jazz, cannot be measured simply by
his thousands of published and unpublished
compositions,” said Howard Dodson, Chief
of the Schomburg Center. “ Although the
quality and quantity of his work indeed add
up to a monumental legacy, that legacy is
all the more intriguing once one begins to
appreciate Duke the person. This evening,
we are saluting Duke the artistic genius and
Edward Kennedy Ellington, the human
being.”
The Schomburg Center, a research library
affiliated with The New York Public Li
brary, is a national symbol of the struggles,
achievements and aspirations of Black people.
It is one of the most widely used research
facilities in the world devoted to collecting,
preserving and providing access to materi
als that document Black life and promote
the study and interpretation of Black his
tory and culture. The Center has a vast
collection of materials on Duke Ellington,
whose work included more than 1,500
compositions, in a variety of formats (in
cluding records, cassettes, books and vide
otapes.)
What A Week! It started with a star-
studded tribute to Sammy Davis Jr., and
just about everybody was there. There was
Michael Jackson (who sang a song h e’d
written especially for Sammy), Frank Si
natra, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy (who served
as host), Richard Pryor, Anita Baker, Shirley
MacLaine, Steve Wonder, Jasmine Guy,
Goldie Hawn (who recited a song), W hit
ney Houston, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Paula
Abdul, Clint Eastwood, Dionne Warwick,
Mike Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Ella Fitzger
ald, Gregory Peck, Dean Martin, and be
lieve it or not, the list went on. Proceeds
from the event, honoring his 60 years in
show business, went to benefit the United
Negro College Fund. The highlight of the
evening came when Davis took to the stage
for a little tap routine with none other than
Gregory Hines. Davis couldn’t say much
due to surgery for his throat cancer, but all
could see how very touched he was “ I got
good news from the doctor,” Davis said
backstage in a barely audible voice. “ In
about four or five weeks of recovery, I ’ 11 be
back yelling and screaming again.” After
the show, he invited 50 or so of the guests
back to his Beverly Hills home for a more
intimate celebration. (Incidentally the show
was taped for broadcast on ABC sometime
in January).
Just two days later, a star-studded crowd
turned out for the 1 Oth Anniversary of the
UNCF's Parade O f Stars telethon.
Honorary Chairman Eddie Murphy came
accompanied by (just good friend) W hit
ney Houston. O f course, Lou Rawls was
also there, and it was so crowded you
couldn't breathe. But what else can you
expect when the type-written invitations
signed by Murphy, imparted that he would
be on hand to personally greet guests. Those
who came out included Vanessa Williams,
Suzanne DePasse, Sidney Poitier, Nell Carter,
Quincy Jones, Jeopardy’s Alex Trabec (who
received a special award), Jackee, Rapper
Jazzy Jeff, Marilyn McCoo, and Sheryl Lee
Ralph. Later that night, Murphy turned up
at pal Arsenio H all’s promo party in con
junction with the release of his new MCA
album, “ Large And In Charge.” Hall, as
Chunky A, videotaped a special message to
guests at the chicken-ai . ci.< mpagnebash
The very next nig; . M 'iphy ’s “ Hat
lem N ights” opened to. ix I eviews.The
film which just could ¡"e.. ie life into the
career o f Richard Pry — a 1 co-stars like
Delia Reese and Redd t vx But M urphy’s
first attempt at directing has not met with
critical acclaim. Once major complaint has
been the language, reminiscent of the humor
that has at one time or another given him
self, Pryor and Foxx bad reps on the touring
circuit.
Honoring R&B Pioneers: Percy Sledge,
Mary Wells Etta James and Ruth Brown
were among those honored with Career
Achievement Awards from the Rhythm &
Blues Foundation at the Smithsonian Insti
tution's National Museum of American
History. Speaking o f awards, the Holly
wood-Beverly Hills chapter of the NA ACP
announced nominations in the categories of
recording, movie and television industries
for the 22nd Annual Image Awards Pro
gram. The awards ceremony, which is slated
for Dec. 9 in Los Angeles, will be broadcast
on NBC in January Oprah Winfrey was
named “ Entertainer of the Y ear," while
Sammy Davis Jr., Ruby Dee and Ossie
Davis will be inducted into the Hall of
Fame.
In Short: " In The Heat of the N ight”
star Howard Rollins is taking it easy after
chest pains left him hospitalized in Atlanta.
The actor underwent tests to ueterminc the
cause but was released in “ good condi
tion” . . . Oprah Winfrey admitted to re
gaining 17 of the 67 pounds she lost last
year in her celebrated diet. Still, however,
she refuses to say just what her weight is .
.. Whoopi Goldberg’s daughter Alexandria
gave birth to a six pound, 1 ’»-ounce baby
girl on her mom’s birthday. (Goldberg turned
40 on November 6)!