Portland Observer DECEMBER 6,1989 Page 5
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PORTLAND OBSERVER
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‘ The Eyes and Ears of the Community'
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Bound Report
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by Garland Lee Thompson
SIX NEW PLAYS AND MUSICAL
SELECTED FOR PRESENTATION
BY AT&T: ONSTAGE AT SEVEN
LEADING AMERICAN THEATRES
“ The AT&T New Plays for the Nine­
ties Project;” 35 Theatres Submitted Pro­
posals
AT&T has selected six new plays and
musical for mainstage presentation by AT&T
OnStage, its national theatre program, and
will provide production grants totalling
$300,000 to seven leading American the­
atres, along with advertising, marketing,
and public relations/promotion support.
The new works were chosen from pro­
posals submitted by 35 theatres through
Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop for a
number of years in the seventeen years
since this writer founded the Workshop in
New York for development of new play­
wrights and the theatre.
The other selected plays and producing
organizations are as follows;
* “ Search and Destroy” by Howard
Korder — South Coast Repertory Theatre of
California.
* “ Square O ne” by Steve Tesich -
Second Stage Theatre of New York.
* “ Johnny Pye and the Foolkiller,” a
musical by Mark St. Germain and Randy
Courts — George Street Playhouse of New
Jersey.
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M U 5 IC
M IL L E N N IU M
E lain G raham , LaTanya Richardson and M a rie Thom as (le ft to rig h t) in a
scene from the M anhattan Theatre C lub p ro du ction o f R ichard Wesley’ s
‘TH E TALEN TED TENTH.
“ The AT&T New Plays for the Nineties
Project," a first-time special initiative
designed by AT&T to indentify new plays
and musicals for presentation under its
AT&T OnStage program.
One of the plays selected by the AT&T
OnStage program is “ TheTalentedTenth”
by Richard Wesley-Manhattan Theatre Club
of New York. At the November 20, 1989,
17th Annual AU DELCO Black Theatre Rec­
ognition Awards in New York, this new
play won seven AUDELCO Awards for
Best Play, Best Dramatic Production, Best
Actress, Best Supporting Actress, etc.
“ The Talented Tenth,” is the latest
play by Richard Wesley, who has been
writing primarily for film and television in
recently years (“ Uptown Saturday Night,”
“ Let's Do It Again” and "N ative Son,”
etc.) His last play to reach Broadway in
New York was “ The Mighty Gents,” which
this writer first produced Off-Off Broad­
way in 1977, under the title of “ The Last
Street Play,” for the Frank Silvera Writers’
Workshop. Both the Workshop and the
Eugene O ’Neill Playwrights’ Center were
given credit for assisting the development
of that powerful Richard Wesley play.
Richard Wesley is a founding member
and was on the board of directors of the
* Each day Dies With Sleep” by Jose
Rivera - a joint production of Circle Rep­
ertory Company o f New York and Berkeley
Repertory of California.
* ‘ ‘Once on This Island,’ ’ a new musi­
cal with words by Lynn Ahrens, music by
Stephen Flaherty and choreography by
Graciela Daniele - Playwrights Horizons
of New York.
AT&T is delighted to announce the
selection of these exciting new plays and
exemplary theatre organizations,” com ­
mented Marilyn Laurie, AT&T Senior Vice
President, Public Relations. “ We are proud
to continue our role of leadership in the
presentation of exciting new works. Our
commitment to theatre is an extension of
our belief that new ideas are vital to the
growth of our ever-changing world.” Write
on, AT&T.
An advisory committee of distinguished
members of the theatre community who
assisted in the selection process included
Cora Cahan, producer/choreographer;
Graciela Daniele, Choregraphcr/director,
William Finn, composer/lyricist; Albert
Innaurato, playwright; Harold Prince, di-
rector/producer; and Harold Scott, direc­
tor.
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Eaat Portland
NW Portland
32nd & E. Burnside
23rd & Johnson
231-8926
248-0163
E X P IR E S 1 2 /1 7 /8 9
T R U E W O R S H IP -R a y Tellis, Dion P errym an, L in d a Abel, B ria n F oxw orth, (left to rig h t), Ronald H arriso n, Wade
W eakly and M a rye tta C o llie r (top row , left to rig h t).
By Dante Che
True Worship, a local based gospel
group. The groupmakes s tiring andmoving
spirtual music and effects those who are
young and alike. True Worship is com­
posed of 12 members who range in age
from 18 to 35, seven who are musicians and
five vocalists.
The main movers in the band are Dar­
nell Tellis and Ronald Harrison Darnell
indicated that True Worship evolved from
his association with Aida Reed who is no
longer a performer in the group, but stilt
contributes material to them. Having started
with these two original members the group
has now evolved to 12 members. The name
True Worship is derived from the title of
one of Reed's compositions.
True Worship has existed in various
forms since February of 1986.
Recently they have played with such
localiy known artists as Curtis Salgado.
B ehind -
T he -S cenes
by Lisa Collins
W arn er Bros. Bash Welcomes Q uincy Jones Back T o The B lo ck-Q u in cy
Jones just can’t lose w ith his latest recording a tte m p t-” Back On The B lock,”
partly due to his music, but mostly due to the incredible crew o f friends he enlisted
to back him up on the project. Many o f them -Luther VanDross, Andrae & Sandra
Crouch, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Hancock, Take Six, Siedah Garrett, were on hand
along w ith Quincy for a grand reception recently thrown on his behalf in Los
Angeles. As i f the list o f those who came out wasn’t impressive enough, others who
backed him up on the project included Ray Charles, Kool Moe Dee, M iles Davis,
George Duke, James Ingram, Ella Fitzgerald, Barry white, A1 Jarreau, Big Daddy
Kane, Chaka Khan, A1 B. Sure, and Bobby McFerrin . . . Ironically, it was back in
1981 that Jones agreed to do the album for Warners, which was conceived as a
follow up to “ The Dude.” O bviously, he got a little sidetracked. . . Everyone is still
talking about the great time that was had by all attending the g litz y prem iere p a rty
fo r “ H arlem N ights.” There was Debbie Allen, fresh from her “ Pollyanna”
triumph for Disney) on hand w ith her hubby Norm Nixon, Herbie Hancock (who
scored the film ), Jasmine Guy, Henry W inkler, Jackee, W hitney Houston, M ike
Tyson, Vanessa W illiam s, “ magic” Johnson, Berlinda Tolbert Noticeably absent
was scene stealer Della Reese, who had been unable to attend due to a scheduled
run at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. When asked how it was to work w ith “ Harlem
N igh t’ s’ ” big guns, Reese had this to say. “ How could you not enjoy getting up in
the morning knowing that you would work with Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor,
Redd Foxx, Arsenio Hall, you k n o w . . . all o f these people live to make you laugh,
and they d id .” Reese, who portrays the foul-mouthed, yet up-standing madamc,
conferred with the over 100 members o f her Universal Foundation for Better
L iving, after accepting the role. Todaya, an ordained minister, she says “ the role
was wonderful because this lady had many layers to her. That was interesting to do.
She was a madame, but she was a woman who was very proud o f her work . . . and
a lady that demanded respect.” Reese, who had taken a great deal o f time o ff, is
‘ ‘ready to go back to work. I want to be able to practice my art, and also to obey what
I feel God has asked me to do. I don’t see why I can’t have the best o f both worlds.
1 don ’ t believe you can’t have everything. ’ ’ Come January, she begins work on a T V
series for Paramount.
Jackson Lends M agic Touch F or Vegas Crow ds-Supcrstar Michael Jackson
is getting down to Vegas quite a bit lately, but not because he’s performing. In fact,
he’s been contracted to put together “ The Jackson Attraction” fo r the newly
opened $630 m illion Mirage Hotel. I t ’ s the first such attraction for Jackson since his
“ Captain E O ” spectacular for Disney. Not much is known about the project-a
custom-made, special effects display, slated to open in the summer o f 1990, except
that it w ill be big.
Round Tw o F or Todd B rid g e s -A c to r Todd Bridges w ill be retried on a felony
assault charge stemming from the Feb. 2nd shooting o f a convicted drug dealer.
Bridges, 24, was acquitted o f attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter
charges, and after spending nine months in ja il, is free on $25,000 bail. A m istrial
was declared on the remaining charge o f assault with a deadly weapon after jurors
deadlocked. Bridges, who is now engaged, hopes to get back to acting soon.
In Short: Jim Brown is back in front o f the cameras with “ Crack House,” which
centers around one teenager’s willingness to fight back against neighborhood
gangs. The movie also stars Richard Roundtree. . . Black film m aker Euzhan Palcy
( “ A Dry White Season” ) was chosen by Glamour Magazine as one o f 12 “ Women
o f the Year.” ... Next Week: F ind out why you haven’ t been hearing much from
A l B. Sure.
The ever changing complexion of the
group has them rehearsing right now, pre­
paring for an opportunity to perform.
Their performances in that environ­
ment is evidence of a true spiritual experi­
ence.
Darnell Tellis, band leader for the group
brings a wealth of musical experience and
knowledge to the group. He envisions moving
up the ladder in the gospel music arena and
is actively seeking avenues to present True
Worship's message.
The group plays a diverse range of
spiritual music ranging from traditional to
comtemporary.
It is timely that during the commemo­
ration of the birth of Jesus Christ that a new
voice is being added to the Praises in his
name.
To those in the Christian community
you would be well advised to contact Mr.
Tellis via the Portland Observer so you and
your brethen can join True Worship in
musical fellowship.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar
& Grill Held-Over
The Portland Civic Theater has ex­
tended the play “ Lady Day at Emerson’s
Bar and Grill’' two additional weeks due to
popularity of sold out audiences. The play
will run through Dec. 30, with show time at
8:00 p.m., Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sunday at
7:00 p.m.
The play is a true story about the life of
the great, legendary jazz singer Billy Holi­
day in the last year of her life 4 months
before her death in 1959. The starring role
is filled by Jeanette Russell Brown portray­
ing Billie Holiday. Billie Larkin, keyboard
player of organ and piano, also recording
artist of the late '60s plays Jimmy Powers.
The play is Filled with humor, songs talking
of events of her life and sadness.
For ticket information call 266-3048,
1530 S.W. Yamhill, Portland.
Jeanette Russell Brow n
'Actress'
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & G r ill
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