It's All About Family And Dreams In 'Detroit '67'

Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha and Cherise Boothe

By Darlene Donloe

Picture it – Detroit, 1967. The Motown sound was wafting over the city and literally positioning itself as the sound that changed America.

But 1967 would not only become a pivotal year in Detroit’s history, it would also prove to be a critical year for Chelle and her brother Lank, two siblings who make ends meet by running an after-hours joint in the basement of the home they inherited from their parents.

Chelle (Cherise Boothe) is a practical woman who is focused on the future and has a plan for her life and that of her son.  She uses the money from the parties to raise money for her son’s education. Her brother Langston, who is called Lank, is ambitious, impractical and wide-eyed about the future. He would rather use the money they make to open a bar with his lifelong friend, Sly.

Chelle has a party hearty friend named Bunny (Kellee Stewart) who is quick-witted, street-wise and hilarious.  Lank’s ride or die best friend Sly (Damu Malik) is just as impatient as he is about gaining financial freedom.

Damu Malik and Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha

The world of all four friends changes drastically when Lank and Sly, in an effort to help out a mysterious, bruised and battered white woman named Caroline (Trisha LaFache) decide to bring her to Chelle and Lank’s home to recuperate – even though they have no idea who she is.  One thing leads to another and Lank finds himself getting a little too close to Caroline, much to the chagrin of Chelle.

As luck would have it, this event happens just before those five pivotal days surrounding the Detroit uprising.

Those days would see black neighborhoods in Detroit reduced to rubble. Many homes were lost and even more businesses were burned to the ground. The uprising began after police raided an unlicensed after-hours bar in a black Detroit neighborhood. The devastation would leave 43 people dead.

This is Detroit '67, which is currently enjoying its west coast premiere at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles.   The play is written by Dominique Morriseau, an alumna of Public Theater Emerging Writers Group, Women's Project Lab and Lark Playwrights Workshop.  Her plays include a three-play cycle, The Detroit Projects (Detroit '67, Paradise Blue, Skelton Crew); Sunset Baby and Follow Me to Nellie's.

Kellee Stewart and Cherise Boothe

Morriseau has written a poignant, dramatic play using bits of humor as she weaves her story about the human experience in the midst of chaos and how everyone approaches it differently. There are several stories, plots and subplots intertwined in this social drama – all coming together to paint a human picture.

The show’s first act sets up a riveting story as it shapes characters and slowly peels back each element layer by layer.  

While the show, which takes place solely in the family basement, acknowledges a cast of five, it’s actually a cast of six – as the Motown sound, played throughout the show, is integral to the story and is very much an equal character – adding depth, emotion and ultimately freedom and understanding.  

To Director Joy Hooper's credit, the first act of this production is energetic and awash with possibilities. However, unfortunately, the second act doesn’t really push the story forward.  While the second act is interesting, it drags - disposing of the show’s energy and nearly bringing the story to a halt. 

The first act was so long, it really could have been extended another 20-30 minutes and been presented as a one-act.

Trisha LaFache and Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha

That being said, all of the actors in the show complement each other and the material. Each is vibrant and well developed  - making for a well-rounded and satisfying production – even when the pace wanes. With lesser actors this show could have stalled.

The set, a bit constricting – works well for a Detroit basement.  The dialogue is reminiscent of the time and feel of ’67. However, in 1967 Detroiters called a ‘slow dance,’ a ‘social’. The reference would only be known by someone from Detroit.

Ultimately Detroit ’67 is a celebration of relationships. 

Cherish Boothe and Damu Malik

Detroit ’67 is written by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Hooper and produced by the standard: an artist collective in association with The Latino Theatre Company.

The show stars Cherise Boothe, Trisha LaFache, Damu Malik, Kellee Stewart and Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha.

Detroit ’67, Los Angeles Theatre Center, in The Gallery, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA  90013; 8 p.m., Thurs.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sunday.  Also 7:30, Monday, Oct. 12, through Oct. 18; $22-$37; For information: 866 811-4111 or www.thelatc.org.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no!), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (OK) and E (excellent), Detroit ‘67 gets an O (OK).

Photo Credit: Chaz Photographics.

Stephanie Mills Meets New Dorothy For First Time

(l-r) Stephanie Mills and Shanice Williams

Stephanie Mills and Shanice Williams experience their first time meeting in New York City. Mills, who played Dorothy in the original 1975 Broadway production of THE WIZ and who will be playing Auntie EM in NBC's live telecast December 3rd production of THE WIZ LIVE!, has now officially passed on the torch to newcomer Williams who will be showcasing her talents in a breakout role as Dorothy in the live production.

(l-r) Stephanie Mills and Shanice Williams

18th L.A. Focus First Ladies High Tea A Success

(l-r) Gospel Legend Dr. Bobby Jones, Actress/Singer/Activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Bravo’s Blood Sweat & Heals Daisy Lewellyn, LA Focus’s First Ladies High Tea Founder Lisa Collins, OXGN’s Preachers of LA Bishop Ron Gibson.   Photos by: C-Level Media Group

The 18^th L.A. Focus’ First Ladies High Tea held recently at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills was a grand affair. Over 1,000 attendees were blessed to witness a star-studded event as the women wore their Sunday Best Hats to top it all off.

L.A. County Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas received the prestigious Legacy Award.  Celebrities and tastemakers in attendance or on the program included: Sheryl Lee Ralph; Ray Donovan & Instant Mom, Oscar Nominee Shug Avery; The Color Purple and Being Mary Jane, Edwina Finley-Dickerson and Heather Hemmens; If Loving You Is Wrong, Gaius Charles; Grey Anatomy & Aquarius, Wren Brown; Founder of Ebony Repertory Theatre, Omarosa Manigault, The Apprentice, Alley Mills, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Preachers Of LA’s Myesha Chaney, Bishop Ron & LaVette Gibson, Rev Xavier L. Thompson; Pastor, Southern Baptist Church of Los Angeles & President, Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Los Angeles, Pastor Michael Fisher; Greater Zion Church Family to name a few. Great performances at the First Ladies High Tea were by Stellar Award winner & Grammy nominee Byron Cage and Dove Awards Nominee, Motown Gospel artist Courtney Wilson.

This year’s event was sponsored by, Wal-Mart. Metro, Toyota, Union Bank, and County Supervisor Office of Mark Ridley-Thomas and co-hosted by Gospel Legend Dr. Bobby Jones, BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel and Dr. Beverly “Bam” Crawford, pastor of Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church.

The event honored women and First Ladies who have served the communities well, through their activism and charitable contributions. The First Lady Honorees include: LaVette Gibson; Life Church Of God In Christ, Norma Fisher, Greater Zion Church Family, Rinnita Thompson, Southern Missionary Baptist Church Los Angeles and Kera Tulloss, Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church.

About First Ladies High Tea

This afternoon tea is a red carpet affair for the Who’s Who of women in the church and black community, featuring celebrity guests, community leaders and honorees.  In the decade since its inception, the tea has served to inspire women, both young and old, to join forces and create a movement of service towards each other, the communities in which they live and to God.  Past honorees include former California First Lady Maria Shriver, Oscar Nominee Cicely Tyson, former LA County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, renown vocalist Nancy Wilson, gospel recording duo Mary Mary, TV One founder Cathy Hughes, actor/activist Hill Harper and The Honorable Kamala Harris, Attorney General of California, to name a few.

'The Sound Of Music' Delivers Memorable Melody

Kerstin Anderson

By Darlene Donloe

The Sound of Music emanating from the Ahmanson is melodic, exceptional, magical and most of all fun!

From the acting, directing, costumes, fantastic sets and, of course, music, this lush production successfully puts it all together.

Although it’s a familiar and beloved story, there is a sparkle about this production that makes it feel like you’re seeing it with fresh eyes for the very first time.

The Sound of Music enjoyed extraordinary successes the first live television production of a musical in over 50 years when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013.  2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family continues to delight audiences.

Maria, played by Kerstin Anderson, is a nun who isn’t quite acclimating to the ways of a convent. Mother Abbess, played exceptionally by Ashley Brown, sends her to be the governess for Captain Georg von Trapp (Ben Davis) and his seven children. Maria immediately has a positive impact on the children and the captain – opening up a whole new world to the entire family.

A beloved film and play, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic from a book by Lindsay & Crouse, is directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, who has brushed it with a fresh coat of paint.

Exceptional vocal performances make this national tour an eargasmic experience.  

There is one phenomenal performance after another.

Ben Davis and Kerstin Anderson

Ben Davis (Broadway’s “Violet,” “A Little Night Music,” “La Bohème”) plays Captain Georg von Trapp and Ashley Brown (Broadway’s “Mary Poppins,” NBC’s “The Sound of Music”) plays The Mother Abbess with Merwin Foard as Max Detweiler, Teri Hansen as Elsa Schraeder, Dan Tracy as Rolf and Paige Silvester as Liesl. The von Trapp children are played by Erich Schuett (Friedrich), Maria Knasel (Louisa), Quinn Erickson (Kurt), Svea Johnson (Brigitta), Mackenzie Currie (Marta) and Audrey Bennett (Gretl).

Although this is her first national tour, Kerstin Anderson, an O’Brien discovery, nails it!!!  Her Maria is lively, crisp, flexible and delivers great vocals.

Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown’s performance is out-of-this world. Every time she opens her mouth to sing – the heavens open and rejoice. (pun intended since she’s playing a nun)

Ben Davis is sturdy and effective while Merwin Foard is the comic relief and very nearly steals the show.

Douglas W. Schmidt’s near perfect set, Jane Greenwood’s costumes and Natasha Katz’s lighting, vibrantly bring this production to life.

All of the musical favorites are there (The Sound of Music, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going On Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and So Long, Farewell), plus two new little ditties that were not in the film, How Can Love Survive? and No Way to Stop It.

The Sound of Music ensemble includes: Carey Rebecca Brown, Ronald L. Brown, Cáitlín Burke,

Christopher Carl, Kyla Carter, Austin Colby, Daniella Dalli, Elisabeth Evans, Donna Garner,

Meghan Hales, Jenavene Hester, Adam Hill, Jeremy Michael Lanuti, Darren Matthias, Kelly McCormick, Julia Osborne, Andrea Ross, Brent Schindele, Jim Schubin and Aviva Winick.

Kudos to the orchestra!

The Sound of Music, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles; 8 p.m., Tues.-Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun., through October 31, 2015;  No Monday performances. Exceptions: No 8 p.m. performance on Wednesday, Oct. 14. There is an added 2 p.m. performance on Thursday, Oct. 29. Tickets: $25 - $150; For information: www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or 213.972.4400

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don't bother), O (oh, no) N (needs work) L (likable) O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), The Sound of Music gets an E (excellent).

'Spectre' Set For A November 6 Nationwide Release

Below is a trailer for the next installment of the 007 James Bond franchise, SPECTRE, set for release nationwide November 6, 2015!!

LINK TO TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4UDNzXD3qA

Singer Lisa Fischer Brings Current Tour To VPAC

LISA FISCHER

Lisa Fischer knows her way around a song.

Whether it’s pop, rock, R&B, the classics or anything in between, Fischer can make it do what it do.

Heralded as having one of the best vocalists in the music industry, this music veteran’s voice is rich,  emotional and sultry. 

One of the star’s of the Academy Award-winning documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom and a back-up singer for the Stones since 1989, Fischer brings her envious vocals to the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge, CA, where she will perform with her new band Grand Baton.

The show features a wide range of material including the standards, I Loves You, Porgy and Fever; rock classics like Jumpin' Jack Flash.  It also includes works by Railroad Earth and Amy Grant as well as some originals, including her Grammy-winning record How Can I Ease the Pain.

Although she has been performing with the Grand Baton trio at major jazz venues, festivals and concert halls nationwide, this is Fischer’s first headlining tour since 20 Feet From Stardom won the Oscar in 2014.

20 Feet From Stardom tells the story of the upbeat impact and importance of background singers – who live just beyond the spotlight. Not only do they bring harmony, they support headlining artists by making their songs sound even more fantastic.  Often these singers, who are often more talented than the stars themselves, are overlooked.  The movie highlighted Fischer, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Darlene Love, Jo Lawry and more.

This Friday, Fischer, who is a star, is front and center.

I caught up with Fischer, who is on tour, to talk about her career and her upcoming concert.

DD: What can audiences expect from your latest tour?

LF: I’m hoping that the audience will walk away feeling a sense of release and joy.

DD:  How do you and Grand Baton complement each other?

LF:  Grand Baton featuring JC Maillard, Aidan Carroll and Thierry Arpino are the most lovely souls as well as musicians. I think what I enjoy the most on stage is how they listen to each other and still have a strong sense of themselves as individuals as they cradle me within their sound.

DD: How did this collaboration come about?

LF: My manager Linda Goldstein introduced me to JC and I met Thierry and Aidan through him. I felt right at home with them from the very beginning.

DD:  How did you go about choosing the songs for this tour?

LF:  By listening to my heart and feeling free enough to dream.

DD: What does each song mean to you?

LF:   Each song has a connection through melodies and story for me. It will make more sense once you hear it though.

DD: How has your musical style evolved since you first began singing?

LF:  I like to think that each person I’ve listened to and each musical situation I’ve been blessed to be a part of has inspired and formed me in many ways but I find it difficult to say exactly how.  It’s almost like tasting a hearty stew and trying to name each and every ingredient.

DD: Touring can be hard and grueling. How do you get through it? Any rituals?

LF: So true Darlene.  I try to rest and hydrate a lot. I tend to be very quiet on my vocal rest days and between shows especially if there is a day with two shows. Travel tends to affect me the most with flying and allergies, etc. And sometimes no matter what I do, my body will say, “I’ve had enough! You must stop, think and care for me!”   It’s at that point that I will see an ENT and try to blend herbal remedies with conventional ones according to the need.

DD: Describe the feeling you get when singing before an appreciate audience.

LF:  Wow…it sort of feels like meeting all these beautiful souls that I’ve known forever somehow….but have never actually met. Kind of like a family reunion with the music as the elder.

Jo Lawry, Judith Hill and Lisa Fischer in 20 Feet From Stardom

DD: You were featured in 20 Feet From Stardom. What do you consider Stardom?  Have you achieved it?

LF:  I’m not sure that I actually consider the concept of stardom in the classic sense really. Maybe it’s because of being in the presence of such amazing artists and realizing that they are real human beings that have a passionate love affair and respect for what they do and what they’ve been given.  I think witnessing this makes it easier to balance adoration and work ethic and makes the concept of stardom more about living and giving which I believe we all do in some form or fashion.

DD: You’ve been rockin with the Rolling Stones for a while. Describe working them.

LF:  Unpredictably exhilarating and soul satisfying. Each member is so beautifully unique and together they create and become anew with energy each time they play, which for me keeps them timeless.

DD: What’s next after the tour?

LF: I hope to continue the never ending tour with some stops in the studio along the way.

The concert will be held Friday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m., at the Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330.  Tickets are $30 - $75; VPAC Ticket Office is located in the VPAC Courtyard. For information: (818) 677-3000 or ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org