NEW
FEDERAL THEATRE HOME PAGE
The National Black Touring Circuit, Inc. was founded in 1974 by Woodie King, Jr. The purpose of the organization
is to make existing Black Theatre productions available to a larger audience by touring to clollege, Black art centers,
community organizations and resident professional theatres.
For further information on these and other Black Theatre productions
produced by the National Black Touring Circuit, Inc., please write or call
Kim Weston-Moran, Assoc. Producer NBTC
C/o New Federal Theatre
292 Henry Street
New York, NY 10002
Tel: 212-353-1176
Fax: 212-353-1088
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Amiri Baraka’s
BLACK HISTORY MUSIC
Poets
Amiri Baraka/Leroi Jones Amina Baraka Halim Suliman
Musicians
Robert Banks, Piano
Rudy Walker, Drums
Herbie Morgan, Saxaphone
Rachim Sahu, Bass
James Orange, Vocals
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BROTHER MALCOLM X
Reminiscences Of A Black Revolutionary
Written by
Frank G. Greenwood
Directed by
Ron Milner
Featuring
Duane Shepard
“Shepard’s performance is inspired...He is in short, Malcolm, more than we knew him....dramatically compelling”
John C. Mahoney, LA Times
“Adults will be proud, children will be inspired”
Lil Fisher, Hollywood Scratchpad
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THE CONFESSIONS OF STEPIN FETCHIT
Written by
Matt Robinson
Directed by
Bill Lathan
Starring
Rosco Orman
Stepin’ Fetchit became the comic relief for a number of Hollywood scripts in the 20’s and 30’s. Intellect and depth, anger and contempt are the true substance driving the clown. Roscoe Orman removes the mask in this masterful piece. With gracious smile and unassuming guile The Confessions of Steppin’ Fetchit is a real depicition of the struggle of an African-American legend.
“The play was alive with warmth, good humor and wit…the full house was mesmerized...The standing ovation was the true testament to the spectacular performance of the versatile Roscoe Orman.”
Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC
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CURTAIN CALL, MR. ALDRIDGE, SIR
Written by
Ossie Davis
Directed by and Starring Eric Coleman
The great African American Shakespearean actor, Ira Aldridge was born in 1807 and achieved success as a performer and respect as a human being on stages all over Europe. He played comedies, farces, operettas, and most famously Shakespeare’s tragedies including Hamlet, Richard III, Titus Andronicus and Othello. This fascinating work examines the talent of the man set against a backdrop of oppression and discrimination in America and the world. World–renowned actor, director, playwright, Ossie Davis has captured the times and the talent in this stunning work. |
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FLY
Written by and Featuring Joseph Edward (Fly Lewis)
Directed by
Wyn Handman
In one Manic Soul, Joseph Edward turns out a powerhouse performance in FLY, a beautifully crafted, original comedy. Fly is a young man so tightly wound by energy, anger, longing and confusion that he seems like a hilarious whirling dervish on a midair platform. This one-man play recounts the story of one black man, the influences of the white world and an exploration of a spiritual force that may well transform his life forever. Fly moves like a high-speed chase—so when the end comes like an explosion, a looming question remains; “Can the Black Man Really Fly? |
GOD’S TROMBONES
Vinnette Carroll’s Gospel Musical Adaptation of James Weldon Johnson’s Classic
Directed by
Woodie King, Jr.
“A richly moving experience….electrifying, jubilant! It should not be missed." V.A. Williams, The Review
“... God’s Troumbones makes such stirring theater out of its Sunday-go-to-meeting source material… triumphs in its modesty and in the strength of its cast. ...The Bible stories they tell are familiar, but you’ve probably never heard them told quite this way before. Even if you have, it wouldn’t hurt you to hear them again" Joe Brown, Washington Post |
GRANDMA'S QUILT
The journey of an African woman from slavery to freedom
Written and performed by Karen Annette Brown
Fearing she is approaching her end, Grandma, the title character, begins work on a quilt as a legacy for her granddaughter. Grandma’s Quilt begins in the post-slavery era of the 1920’s, winds through two World Wars, explores the innocence of America in the 40’s and 50’s, and completes in present day
“Playing the grandmother as a young girl witnessing her entire family’s brutal death at the hands of Ku Klux Klansmen, Brown’s tearful, gut-wrenching portrayal of the tragedy is by far…moving…A natural born storyteller, Brown performs her role with a warmth comparable to that of the patchwork comforter that shares the stage wit her – more a supporting character than a prop”
Janet Jones, Kalamazoo Gazette
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GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL
Written by
Lady Peachena
Starring
Debbie Sergent, Anne Sinclair, lady Peachena, Betty Cooks and Nadine Simmon
“Great Divas comes in the form of a train ride across the country, with the passengers stopping in the cities where the female evangelists live. At each stop, a story is told about a diva-including the hardships each faced as they climbed their way to stardom. Their pain was real” “Through verse and song the cast chronicles the hardships and triumphs of gospel’s brightest females”
Denene Miller, Daily News |
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HOLD FAST TO DREAMS
In Homage to Langston Hughes
Starring
David Mills
Hold Fast to Dreams lovingly resurrects Langston Hughes’ Harlem Renaissance Hepcats and Sassy Sirens. From the roaring 20’s through the riotous 60’s, from the “New Negro” to “Black better be beautiful!” David Mills as Hughes captures each era. He is a brilliant one-man tour de force in this riveting tragicomic homage. Mills explores Hughes deferred, deterred and unheard dreams for himself and his people. Hold Fast to Dreams is for all people feasting on Sass, Blues, Jazz, R&B and even hip-hop. |
LOVE TO ALL, LORRAINE
A portrait of Lorraine Hansberry
Adapted by, Written by and Starring
Elizabeth Van Dyke
Directed by Woodie King, Jr. & Elizabeth Van Dyke
“In “Love to All, Lorraine’, Elizabeth Van Dyke presents a protait of Lorraine Hansberry that sums up a great range of Black experience in this century…What she evokes best is the almost terrifying intelligence and honey of Mss Hansberry, and the peculiar mixture of humor and anger that were hers”
New York Times
“The piece we view is clean, neat and there is not a moment to be bored”
N.Y. Amsterdam News |
MARIAN ANDERSON
THINGS OF THE HEART
Written by
Shauneille Perry
Directed by
Elizabeth Van Dyke
This piece brings to life he woman, the music, her times; the young girl swinging in the adult choir at the age of eight, singing, touring, learning her craft in Europe, facing Nazi Germany, partying with Alberta Hunter and Paul Robeson; soloing with the great Roland Hayes, the first Black at the Metropolitan Opera; her love affair with Orpheus King Fisher who became her husband; her artistic relationship with Kost Vehanen, her pianist; the controversy with DAR refusing to allow her to sing at the Constitutuion Hall resulting in an outdoor concert for 75,000 at the Lincoln Memorial; and always the music; songs that bring joy, tears and pride.
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MONK 'N BUD
Written by
Laurence Holder
Directed by
Jasper McGruder
With
Alvin Alexis, Marie McKinney and Tony Jackson
Presented by
Omnificent Ink Productions
Today, people cheer Jazz musicians. 40 years ago, the police beat, arrested and jailed them. Based on a true incident, this powerful play honors the innovative spirit and intimate friendship between Jazz Greats, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. What happened, that summer night in 1951, to these musicians, who deeply loved each other’s work? Did they refuse to play the game?
“Fine performance…Astounding"
Dallas Morning News
“Rich with rough poetry, MonkN’Bud plays like a Jazz/Theatre piece….with a sound track to die for. Outstanding”
The Independent/Scotland
“A thought provoking, action packed performance…”
Joli Harris/Evening News
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GREAT MEN OF GOSPEL
Written and
Directed by
Elizabeth Van Dyke
A tremendous ensemble of
actors and singers take the audience on a journey through the
evolution of gospel music in America, celebrating the African
Continuum, that spirit which is the foundation of music in the world
today. They portray the slaves, the Jubilee Quartets, sin the
songs of Tindsley, Dorsey, the Five Blind Boys, the Pilgrim
Travelers, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Soul Stirrers, James
Cleveland and more.
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ROSA PARKS
More Than A Bus Story
Written and Directed by Von H. Washington, Sr.
Original
Music by
Curtis Gulledge, Sr.
Music
Selections from
“A Tribute to Mrs. Rosa Parks” by Verity records
Starring
Fran Washington
Featuring
Alicia and Von Washington
This play reveals
why Rosa Parks refused to move from her bus sent in 1955, why
she left the city she loved – when she had fought so hard to
save it, and her life after leaving Montgomery and moving to
Detroit. It highlights the music she loved and the memories
that kept her strong, during the good times and the bad. Not
always sweet and charming, this fascinating and insightful story
was personally approved by, Ms. Rosa Parks herself, “The Mother
of the Civil Rights Movement.”
"...Fran Washington acturally captured the spirit of Rosa
Parks. Her physical mammerisms voice and speech patterns
arevery much like Mrs. Parks. The comfort, grace and dignity
Mrs. Parks gives to one when she meets them transcended into
Mrs. Washington's performance. It is obvious that Fran
Washington was not only technically involved but, emotionally
and spiritually."
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Elaine Wason Steele, Director, Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute
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MELBA MOORE: SWEET SONGS OF THE SOUL
an autobiographical play with music
Written and Performed by
Melba Moore
Consulting Director:
passion
Melba Moore is a famed singer-actress. Lauded for her historic
work on Broadway, Moore won a Tony Award for Best Supporting
Actress in a Musical in 1970, for her role as Lutibelle in the
musical "Purlie". The win made Moore the first African
American to receive the award.
Where has Melba Moore been in the 35 years since she garnered the
Tony? The answers, along with all the ups and downs of her
career, are revealed in her autobiographical play "Sweet Songs of
the Soul", a well-balanced diary that illustrates reflections of
youth and growing pains with a fervently heady mix of Gospel, Jazz
and Broadway songs.
The narrative chronicles growing up in rural Alabama while her
mother sang with the big bands of Count Basie , Dizzy Gillespie
and Duke Ellington to her show stopping Broadway legacy including
"Hair", "Your Arms To Short To Box With God", to being the first
black Fantine in "Les Miserables."
"The lady is a
buoyant force of nature. She has lost none of her spunk and has
retained the escalating strength of her remarkable four-octave
range. Ms. Moore is delightful, full of persuasive clarity of
purpose and enveloping personal warmth."
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Robert L. Daniels, Daily Variety Gotham (Variety.com)
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Kevin Maynor
in Phillip Hayes Dean's
PAUL ROBESON
Directed by
Shauneille Perry
From his New
Jersey childhood to his global successes on stage, screen and
recording, to his excellence in academia, sports and political
advocacy, Robeson's contributions to the Black Diaspora and overall
American culture are unparalleled.
World-class
operatic bass vocalist Kevin Maynor's performance captures Robeson
the man, myth and the motivator of Black and oppressed people around
the world. Mr. Maynor's silky voice captures much of the profound
resonance of Robeson's voice.
"Inspiring portrait...Robeson shines through as a staunch,
understanding, heroic American."
- Richard L. Coe,
The Washington Post
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