Jamie Foxx Joins 'Not Another Church Movie'

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx has joined the highly anticipated film "Not Another Church Movie" playing the role of “God.”  The film also stars Kevin Daniels, Vivica A. Fox, Tisha Campbell, Jasmine Guy, Kyla Pratt, Lamorne Morris, and Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke who is playing the “Devil.” Written and directed by Johnny Mack, the film is a Monty the Dog Production, produced by James Michael Cummings and former Warner Bros. executive Jim Cardwell. The executive producer is Valerie McCaffrey. 

“Not Another Church Movie” is a wild ride through the fabulous world of Taylor Pharry (Daniels), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself (Foxx): to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. His only concern? His family and community. What he doesn't know is that the Devil (Rourke) has plans of his own.

"We are thrilled to have Mr. Foxx be a part of this hilarious comedy and bring his incredible talent to the role of God, working with Foxx and Johnny Mack was a true blessing." says producer Cummings. "This film is a unique blend of new and established talent, and we can't wait to hear the laughs and for audiences to see the magic that happens on the big screen. This movie will not disappoint." 

“The name talent that has come together for this fun comedy is unprecedented. You see all the actors having fun, especially Foxx playing God,” says McCaffrey.

Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer, and comedian. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his work in the biographical film Ray. The same year, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the action film Collateral. Other prominent acting roles include the title role in the film Django Unchained, the supervillain Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and William Stacks in the modern version of Annie.

"Not Another Church Movie" is expected to be released on December 1st. 

 

Gladys Knight At The Hollywood Bowl: A Review

 

Gladys Knight at the Hollywood Bowl

By Darlene Donloe

It’s easy to review a concert performance by Gladys Knight.

I’ve been a fan of Knight’s (GK) since her old Motown days. I’ve seen countless GK concerts, all of which left me an even bigger fan.

Under a balmy, stars-filled August sky, Knight, affectionately known as the Empress of Soul, took the huge, sold-out Hollywood Bowl stage and quickly had the appreciative crowd in the palm of her hand.

With more than seven decades of performing under her belt, Knight proved she’s still got it.  She still looks good, has stage presence, and her vocals….that voice is still full of emotions.

Dressed in all white - Knight, belying her 79 years, filled the air with her patented soulful vocals.  

As her 75-minute set began, Knight was seated in a chair on a platform just above the six-piece band. There were also three backup singers, all of whom were also dressed in white.

Her 17-song set opened with the Gladys Knight & The Pips song, ‘Taste of Bitter Love.’ She moved quickly into ‘Nitty Gritty’ and ‘Make Yours A Happy Home’ from the ‘Claudine’ soundtrack.

Gladys Knight

Knight, moving slowly but elegantly around the stage, while occasionally mixing in some shoulder moves, was pounded with requests from an audience member for nearly every song to ‘Do it Again.’  It became a running bit throughout the night as well as the constant chorus of “We Love You” from the same audience member. Each time Knight simply replied, ‘I love you, too.’

Next up for Knight were some of her signature songs including ‘Every Beat of My Heart,’ ‘Love Overboard,’ ‘Best Thing,’ ‘Oh What A Love I Have Found’ and ‘If I Were Your Woman.”

It didn’t really matter what song Knight was singing, she was performing before her fans who responded enthusiastically to her every twitch and warble.

Her unassailable performance continued with ‘On and On,’ ‘Imagination,’ ‘Save the Overtime,’ ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine,’ ‘Neither One of Us,’ ‘Hey Jude,’ and ‘The Way We Were.’

Knight made it a point to tell the audience how “blessed” and thankful she was for the career she had.

She then let loose with a gospel medley that included ‘Stand’ and ‘Take Me To The King.’  She remained seated throughout the gospel set and allowed her sensational background singers to take the lead.

Knight, known for singing with passion, ended her affecting show with her hit song ‘Midnight Train to Georgia.’

Gladys Knight, who can sing the phone book and make it sound like a hit, continues to be one of music’s royals.

Peabo Bryson

Knight’s opening act was none other than yummy balladeer Peabo Bryson whose singing was clear and strong with his luscious high notes and patented phrase endings.

It was clearly a white-themed night as Bryson and his five-piece band and two female background singers were also dressed in white.

There aren’t many crooners left in the industry who can seduce an audience quite like Bryson, who has already solidified his place with such songs as ‘If You’re In My Arms Again,’ ‘Tonight I Celebrate My Love,’ ‘Can You Stop the Rain,’ and ‘King of Sorrow.’

Bryson, whose sets are always cool and relaxed, kicked off his 40-minute set with ‘Reaching for the Sky.’

He sang two Disney favorites including ‘A Whole New World’ (Aladdin’s Theme), which he originally sang with Regina Belle, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ made famous from his duet with Celine Dion.

He ended his set with the luscious 1977 hit, ‘Feel the Fire,’ which received tremendous applause.

Knight and Bryson make for a great night at the Bowl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything "Goes Wrong" For Actor Ryan Vincent Anderson

Ryan Vincent Anderson

By Darlene Donloe

When ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ opens at the Ahmanson Theater on Aug. 11, 2023, actor Ryan Vincent Anderson has no intentions of playing it straight. 

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is a highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned and inspired slapstick, delivered with split-second timing and ambitious daring stunts.  

The show is a J.M. Barrie classic and Mischief international production from the team behind the Tony Award®-winning hit, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” 

The farcical comedy is co-written by Mischief company members Henry Shields, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Lewis, who met at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. All three also have lead roles in the show.

‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong,’ directed by Adam Meggido, sees the fictional ‘Cornley Drama Society’ back on stage battling technical hitches, flying mishaps, and cast disputes as they attempt to present Barrie’s much-loved story.

In the play, Anderson, the only Black member of the 16-member British cast, and one of only two Americans in the show, plays “Gil,” an assistant stage manager.  Anderson, who was also an understudy in the Broadway production, is replacing an actress who played the role of “Jill” in the Broadway production. 

“This character is a helper that fills in the gaps and keeps the train running,” said Anderson, who played Trevor in more than 850 performances of the previous Mischief show, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” “It’s Peter Pan mixed with Cornley Drama Society. Everything is falling apart left and right. It’s an underdog show. You’re rooting for them to get to the end. The magic in it is how people relate to people who keep trying and don’t give up.  You just keep moving forward – that’s the key that brings it all together.”

Anderson, who was also an understudy in the Broadway production of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” took a detour on his way to his dream of becoming an actor. Realizing his true passion, after a five-year architecture program at Carnegie Mellon, he decided drama was his calling, so he took acting and singing classes for non-majors.

While at Carnegie Mellon, Anderson said, ironically, there was a class he had to take once a semester that required him to “design for theater.” 

“We had to read plays and then design and run a play,” said Anderson, who has made both Queens, New York, and Los Angeles his home. “I was building sets, making masks, pulling ropes, whatever needed to be done. I thought, ‘This is fun, but I want to be on stage wearing the masks I made.’”

After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, Anderson, whose credits include playing firefighter Billy on the 10th season premiere of ‘The Blacklist,’ went to CalArts where he began performing in student films and plays and doing voiceovers, anything to satisfy him artistically.

“I was always creative and artistic,” said Anderson who earned an MFA in acting from CalArts. “I thought about architecture because I drew a lot. But, I always wanted to do something creative. I soon realized that architecture was rigorous and demanding. It wasn't for me. I knew I wasn’t going to do it. It’s interesting. I don’t come from a family of performers.  Three brothers and two parents. I didn’t even see a lot of theater growing up. I liked movies, television, and storytelling. When I got to college, I was surrounded by an amazing drama program.” 

“I love being a part of storytelling,” said Anderson, a budding playwright. “It’s all about connection. It brings people together in one room. In theater, we are making an agreement together. We are going to show this to you and all of us will be present in the moment sharing things.” 

Henry Lewis is one of three co-writers and the artistic director of Mischief.

“I love what I do,” he said. “Acting has become a passion of mine. I love to be in front of a live audience. Writing is satisfying in another way. I love sitting in a room and getting it done. It’s fun to deliver a script.” 

Lewis said the idea for “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” came about 10 years ago.

An Olivier award-winning writer, actor, and producer, Lewis said when he was 15, he worked with writer Michael Green, who had written the book, ‘The Art of Coarse Acting’.

“It was a very funny book about his experiences in amateur theater,” said Lewis, whose writing and acting credits include, ‘A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong,’ as well as the short film, ‘The Man in the Room’ and TV series, ‘The Goes Wrong Show’.  

“His style of comedy was really good,” said Lewis, whose work has been produced in more than 40 countries worldwide. “After I graduated, I mentioned it to Jonathan (Sayer) and Henry (Shields), and I said, ‘Let’s try to write a play that goes wrong. So, we did it at a small theater. It grew from there. It has now been 10 years.  The show is popular because it’s a universal kind of humor that appeals to all ages.”

“It really is a funny show,” said Anderson. “I like being silly. It doesn’t matter that it’s a British comedy. Whether it’s American or British, comedy is comedy. This is great storytelling. There is magic in it.” 

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” made its premiere at the Pleasance Theatre in London in December 2013.  

The play was also adapted into a one-hour television special, which was broadcast on December 31, 2016, on BBC One. 

The play made its North American premiere in 2022 at the "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" Joins the 2022-2023 Ahmanson Season - 2 Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Canada, and will launch a new UK tour later this year.

‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong,’ Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Onyeka Nwelue's Music Helps His Mental Health

International intrigue. Political drama. Heartbreak. The story behind Onyeka Nwelue’s first foray into music has all that and more. His debut world music single, “Break your Heart,” which he wrote and sang while undergoing psychiatric treatment, was produced by Eternal Nnamdi Mbamara (aka Eternal Africa) and released by Walboomers Music accompanied by a video. The song is inspired by true events amidst the academic elite. There’s a lot to unpack here and according to Nwelue, it’s a true story.

A Nigerian scholar who had esteemed positions in academia in African studies at two of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Oxford and Cambridge, Nwelue authored twenty-five books – novels, nonfiction, and poetry, including the award-winning “Hip-Hop is Only for Children.” He’s also a filmmaker and documentarian, talk show host, and teacher who served as the dean of the School of Cinematographic Studies at Université Queensland in Haiti. Among his many academic achievements were studying ancient masterpieces of world literature at Harvard University; a research associate at the University of Johannesburg; visiting assistant professor at the University of Manipur; visiting lecturer at the University of Hong Kong; and visiting researcher at Ohio University. So yes, he’s a world-class scholar of the highest repute.

Earlier this year, an incident at the University of Oxford led to Nwelue’s dismissal. He established the annual James Currey Prize for African Literature and directed the James Currey Literary Festival, which took place at the University of Oxford’s Weston Library. Nwelue said that he was accused of “political incorrectness and slapped with damaging labels owing to the views publicly espoused in my books.”

Nwelue believes that his political affiliations in Nigeria – he openly supports Peter Obi, the leader of Nigeria’s Labour Party - were another reason he was persecuted. Feeling maligned and heartbroken, he sought refuge, using the occasion to address longstanding mental health issues. Nwelue pursued treatment in Mexico where he’s working on a film about Africans in Mexico titled “Dogs of Mexico.” During therapy, he discovered songwriting. “Break your Heart” was inspired by the Oxford incident that damaged his reputation and left him shattered.

“I was diagnosed with a certain kind of mental illness many years ago. It has destroyed many things for me. Recently diagnosed with ADHD, I have been in a psychiatric center in Mexico. Out of a need to heal, I turned to music. I have always wanted to be a musician, but you need courage and confidence to be one. I once read that everyone can sing but you need to learn it over time,” said Nwelue, who studied the business of music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Prior to undergoing care, Nwelue split his time living in Johannesburg, Oxford, and Mexico – three disparate yet rich cultures. He borrowed elements from all three and infused them into “Break your Heart,” an amalgam of African beats, urban soul, and jazz nuances. Not surprisingly, his pain is evident in the song’s lyrics and felt in his impassioned vocals.

“You jazzed my soul and threw me away

You left me broken

So

I will break your heart

I will tear your heart

Run far away

And you’ll never find me.”

Nwelue directed the video for “Break your Heart.”  He’s currently working on his first album titled “Quimbombó,” which he plans to release early next year followed by a concert tour. All the songs he’s written for the collection are inspired by his mental health challenges and life struggles.

“I have faced disgrace and embarrassment among all my accomplishments. I think globally, I was the only person attached to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge simultaneously as an Academic Visitor at 35 years old. I attracted envy - from old and young people alike,” said Nwelue who recently completed a biopic about Emeka Ojukwu, a Nigerian military officer and politician who served as president of the Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War.

Nwelue is fully immersing himself into his recording muse and hopes “Break your Heart” will receive Grammy consideration. In earlier years, he managed recording artists and founded a record label in Paris. He’s especially drawn to jazz and used to organize diplomatic jazz nights in Nigeria before leaving the country. Music, especially jazz, helps him focus. And he’s found a way to use music to stabilize his mental health.   

“In psychiatry, one’s mental illness can be contained through the use of music and visual arts, especially when it comes to ADHD and concentration. One needs to fully concentrate on something to be able to stay sane. Most mentally ill people have creative ways of handling their condition. I find creative ways to stay sane and that is by listening to jazz music.

For more information, please visit https://onyekanwelue.com and https://www.walboomers.com/onyekannwelue. 

Hollywood Bowl Hosts 90th Birthday Party for Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones

By Darlene Donloe

The singular Quincy Jones is a love letter to music.

The music mogul with a notable musical legacy, has been a mainstay in the industry for decades. His contribution to the world of music is legendary.

Jones’ birthday and his influence on music were recognized during ‘Quincy Jones’ 90th-Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration’ a two-day event that took place at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday and Saturday (July 28-29).

Samara Joy

The show’s all-star lineup on Friday included  Samara Joy, BJ The Chicago Kid, Patti Austin, Angélique Kidjo, Ibrahim Maalouf, Siedah Garrett, Alfredo Rodriguez, Sheléa, Avery Wilson, and Stevie Mackey, with Stevie Wonder making a surprise appearance.

Patti Austin

Aloe Blacc

The Saturday lineup included Jennifer Hudson, Samara Joy, Patti Austin, Aloe Blacc, Ibrahim Maalouf, Siedah Garrett, Alfredo Rodriguez, Sheléa, Jacob Collier, Avery Wilson, Stevie Mackey, and more including Jules Buckley (conductor), and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, which included longtime members of Jones’ house band, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and keyboardist/music director Greg Phillinganes.

It was a perfectly magical night on Saturday as Patti Austin looking splendiferous in a gold gown welcomed the crowd.

One by one, during a two and half hour extravaganza, some of the music industry’s most celebrated performers paid homage to “Q” as he’s lovingly called in the industry, singing songs he either produced or arranged.

The top-notch, incomparable Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Alfredo Rodriguez kicked off the night with the ‘Austin Powers Theme’.

Jennifer Hudson

The first half of the celebration included several of Quincy Jones’ classics. Austin sang “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me,” which appeared on his 1981 album ‘The Dude.’

Samara Joy – whose last name is apropos when it comes to her voice, wowed the crowd with “Misty,” while Aloe Blacc looking every bit the entertainer in a powder blue suit – let loose with “Fly Me To The Moon,” a song Jones arranged for Frank Sinatra.

Jennifer Hudson did not disappoint with Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit, “You Don’t Own Me,” while Patti Austin reappeared to serenade the audience with “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”

Jacob Collier

Austin, in a bit of banter with the audience, introduced a man she called “a newcomer,” who just happened to be the one and only Stevie Wonder. And the crowd goes wild!!!

Wonder told stories about meeting Quincy Jones for the first time. Wonder was 14 at the time – running around the Apollo Theater. He called the meeting “magical,” and was impressed that Jones knew Ray Charles.

Wonder thanked Jones “For all the inspiration you’ve given me,” before singing Jones’s arrangement of “You Got It Bad Girl,” a song Wonder included on his ‘Talking Book’ album.

Other standouts during the night included singer Sheléa, who received a standing ovation after singing Tamia’s “You Put A Move on My Heart,” and Stevie Mackey who controlled the audience when he sang James Ingram’s “Just Once.”

Horn player, Ibrahim Maalouf, played “She’s Out of My Life” made famous by The Jackson 5.

After intermission, the second half of the show had a totally different vibe, which made for an unbalanced, but still rockin’ event. It was devoted to the award-winning collaborations between Jones and Jackson.

Vula Malinga, one of the exceptional background singers took center stage to sing Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,’ while Avery Wilson kept the party going with  Rock With You, Off the Wall, and Thriller - knocking it out of the park with his vocals and his thrillin’ moves. Other Jackson/Jones songs included Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough and P.Y.T.

Jackson’s ‘Human Nature’ was sung by Jacob Collier, who played the piano, while his mother, Suzie Collier, conducted the orchestra. 

Siedah Garrett, who has worked closely with Jackson and Jones, sang the 1981 hit, ‘Man in the Mirror,’ which she co-wrote with Glen Ballard for Jackson.

Several of the performers (Ibrahim Maalouf, Samara Joy, Patti Austin, and Jacob Collier) took the stage to sing, Jones’ cover of ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ with Bono, Wonder, and Ray Charles from Q’s Jook Joint - before everyone returned to the stage to accompany Stevie Wonder as he sang his version of ‘Happy Birthday,’ written in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday being designated as a national holiday.

A living legend whose career spans 70 years, Jones, a composer, arranger, songwriter multi-instrumentalist, and one of the best-selling producers of all time, has been credited with changing the face of music.

Whether it was the big band era, which he started out with, jazz, funk, bebop, hip-hop, or rap, Jones made his mark as a true music master.

One of the most respected and influential figures in American music, Jones once said, “I'm probably the only one in the world you can name that's worked with Billie Holiday, Louie Armstrong, Ella, Duke, Miles, Dizzy, Ray Charles, Aretha, Michael Jackson, rappers, Sinatra, Paul Simon, Tony Bennett I'm the only one.”

Some highlights of his career include producing the best-selling album of all time Michael Jackson's “Thriller” album, and producing and conducting the best-selling single of all time at 20 million copies "We Are the World," which raised funds for the victims of Ethiopia's famine in 1985.

Noted for influencing some of the biggest musical talents and opening the door for future generations, Jones also served as a producer on a number of film and TV projects.

A Chicago native, Jones has earned 80 GRAMMY® Award nominations and won 28 GRAMMYs®, including the GRAMMY® Legend Award in 1991. In 2008, he received an NEA Jazz Masters award.

He is one of 22 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) holders in history including seven Academy Award nominations, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.  He was also inducted as a Kennedy Center Honoree.

Happy 90th Birthday Quincy Jones!