National Black Theatre

This unbelievably true story begins when Brooklyn's own Nuyorican Grand Slam Poetry Champion, Bryonn Bain ("60 Minutes," "The Village Voice," BET-J's "My Two Cents"), is wrongly imprisoned in NYC jails --while studying law at Harvard. Weaving together the critical and comedic voices of his seemingly dysfunctional Caribbean immigrant family, and a California choir boy sentenced to Death Row in Texas at 17, this multimedia solo performance tackles America's unresolved contradictions with a virtuosic sense of humor and breathtaking lyricism. Thought-provoking and hilarious, 40 characters speak through one man on stage as this hip hop theater, spoken word poetry, calypso, classical music and blues-infused concert experience has you on the edge of your seat. Developed in prisons, public schools and on college campuses during the past decade, the production is a "musical and verbal hurricane" (The Straits Times) featuring a video DJ, beat-boxing cellist, virtuoso guitarist and percussionist. Lyrics from Lockdown premiered last fall to a sold-out crowd at The Public Theater in New York City -- as the grand finale of the NYC Hip Hop Theater Festival.

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The National Black Theatre is proud to announce the celebration of its 42^nd season. The season opens with an original work written by David D. Wright, entitled  “OSHUN. A Yoruba Dance Drama” OSHUN represents the pinnacle of feminine power through drama, dance, song and music. The production is a biographical, and historical account of the often underestimated and misunderstood female orisa.

OSHUN promises to usher in the spirit of theatre founder, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, through layers of color, folklore and healing power (all of which the “Pearl of Harlem” was known to add to the Harlem community). By dramatically revealing the rich legacy of Yoruba mythology, OSHUN’s director Roderick Giles explores the many manifestations of Oshun and makes it relevant to audiences young and old.

 The show kicks off a pivotal season for the NBT as it continues the legacy of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer with a commitment to excellence and healing of our communities of which we serve.

 

“OSHUN” (OSUN) will be running from April 17^th thru May 9th, 2010. Show times are Friday, and Saturday at 8:00pm, and Sunday at 4:00pm. Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre is located at 2031-33 Fifth Avenue (125^th & 126^th Street).  For the limited run, all tickets are $35 for general admission and  group sales are available. To purchase your tickets using your credit card call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 or visit our online box office at www.brownpapertickets.com.  For reservations and information about group sales please call 212-722-3800. 

 

Featuring an outstanding ensemble:

 

Creative team includes: David D. Wright (Musical Director), Chris Cumberbatch (Set Design), James Carter (Light Design), Colin Nchako (Animation Design), Reece Crawford Tocho-Duchine (Mask Design)

 

About the Company: National Black Theatre (NBT)  www.nationalblacktheatre.org

 

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre holds the largest New Sacred Yoruba Art Collection in the Western Hemisphere.  National Black Theatre’s (NBT) Institute of Action Arts offers three programs: Communication Arts, Theatre Arts and Entrepreneurial Arts. NBT represents a collective creative energy that offers alternative learning in an institution that represents a global cultural perspective.

 

Special Guest Stars John D. Thompson and Stephanie Berry join the TWAS Classical Actors of Color as they close the 2009 Classical Lab Reading Series with Shakespeare's tragic tale. 

Behind every successful man is an ambitious woman, and behind the Scottish Thane of Cawdor is his wife, Lady Macbeth. Together they will plot the death of a king, and all else who stand in their path towards absolute power.

But guilt-stoked madness and paranormalvisitation lie ahead, and the man who kills in the night will come to understand that what begins in blood will end in blood.
 

Harlem’s Take Wing And Soar Productions in association with London’s Hackney Empire Ltd present The Hackney Harlem Theatre Company in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S MADNESS, Directed by Susie McKenna at The National Black Theatre in Harlem | A group of 17 young emerging artists aged 16 to 21 plan to take Harlem by storm with their production of A Midsummer Night’s Madness a modern production based on William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's the year 2068, the war for resources is over and Hackney is about to celebrate the marriage of their hero. We meet the invisibles as they play havoc with the lives of the mortals around them. Come and see this young ensemble of actors and musicians as they present their version of this classic tale through music, dance and drama.

TICKETS for this LIMITED ENGAGEMENT are available at Smarttix.com (212) 868-4444 | General Admission: $10 | Visit us online at online at www.takewingandsoar.org
 

The Rivals is Richard Brinsley Sheridan's rollicking comedy of manners and mistaken identities where anyone will go to the greatest of lengths to conquer true love.

Join us after the performance a special closing after party at JUDI's Bar | Lounge; 2308 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd (7th Avenue near 136th Street)

Massinissa And The Tragedy of The House of Thunder is the true story of Massinissa, Rome's Africa king; and his great love that sparkerd a war that changed the color of power of the world. This performance is part of The Take Wing And Soar Classical Lab Reading Series.