1/9/15 O&A Shall We Dance Friday: Black and Blue- The Musical

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Black and Blue is a musical revue celebrating the black culture of dance and music in Paris between World War I and World War II.  Choreographed by Henry LeTang, Cholly Atkins, Frankie Manning, and Fayard Nicholas the cast of forty-one singers, dancers, and musicians included Ruth Brown, Linda Hopkins, Carrie Smith, Savion Glover, Claude Williams, Roland Hanna, Grady Tate, Jimmy Slyde, Bill Easley, Jimmy “Preacher” Robins, Lon Chaney (the jazz tap dancer, not the actor) Bunny Briggs and  Dianne Walker. The Broadway production opened on January 26, 1989.  Continue reading

11/26/14 O&A Theatre: Ritual (REVIEW)- “The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank”

By Walter Rutledge

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Off Broadway is to live theatre, what the concept car is to the automotive industry. It allows the public to participate in the process of creation, where memorable productions transition into unforgettable theatre. Ritual, a play conceived and produced by Stanley Bennett Clay is a clever one-act drama that reveals the secrets of an “ideal” upper middle class Africa American Family. 

To everyone on the outside looking in, the Becker Family of Baldwin Hills was living the American dream. Leon (David M. Raine), a successful lawyer, and his beautiful wife Sylvia (Q) are the proud parents of two children daughter Teresa (Latresa Baker) and son Mason (Reginald James Albert). Teresa is a dutiful daughter and younger brother Mason is the brilliant son attending an Ivy League School. From the moment we are invited in to their living room we quickly discover humorist, the late Erma Bombeck, was correct; “The grass is always greener over the septic tank.” Continue reading

10/10/14 O&A Review: Ain’t Misbehavin- Fats Waller’s Harlem

 By Walter Rutledge

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Harlem original Fats Waller returned uptown to the community he loved via the Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin presented at Faison Firehouse Theater. This version of the high-spirited, and high-energy musical revue is directed by A. Curtis Farrow; and presented in collaboration with Irving Street Rep. and FaisOne Productions. The first thing that becomes apparent is how well the intimate setting complements Waller’s songbook; which has become a compass articulating the Harlem Jazz era of the 1930’s and 40’s. Continue reading

10/8/14 O&A Its Saturday Anything Goes: Our Weekend Picks

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Its Saturday and as the autumn leaves continue to fall the arts are getting that exciting seasonal lift. There is music uptown, musicals celebrating Harlem and Brooklyn, and dancers dancing downtown. Here are our weekend picks in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About.   Continue reading

10/2/14 O&A: Interview with Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman- Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical

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A video interview with the co-producers and co-directors Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman of the Off-Broadway musical Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical during the run of the show at the Theatre at the Church of St. Clement’s. Continue reading

9/30/14 O&A REVIEW: Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical

By Walter Rutledge

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Before RuPaul, or Boy George the crown of cross-dressing performers was wore by Sylvester the “Queen of Disco”. He reigned over the androgynous 1970’s and 1980’s dance and club culture with visual daring and signature gospel infused falsetto vocals. The new off-Broadway musical Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical now playing at The Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street pays tribute to the iconic and trailblazing songwriter and performer. Continue reading

9/23/14 O&A This Week: September 22 thru 29: Places To Go and Things To See

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Fall is here! As we bid summer a fond farewell the new season ushers in a whirlwind of arts events. We have classic cars in the Bronx, a watershed moment in dance in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the “Queen of disco” is re-crowned Off Broadway and there are Killer Heels in Brooklyn that would make Nancy Sinatra “walk all over you”. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

(Repost) 10/9/20 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Sammy Davis Jr.- The Original Triple Threat

Shall We Dance

Sammy Davis Junior

Samuel George “Sammy” Davis, Jr. was born on December 8, 1925. He was an African- American entertainer who broke many barriers and paved the way for entertainers in all  disciplines. Davis was primarily a dancer and singer, but he also received acclaim as an actor of stage and screen, musician, and impressionist. Davis died at age 64 in 1990, after spending 61 years in the profession he loved.  Continue reading

O & A This Week: Tuesday, August 5 through Monday, August 11, 2014 Art, Dance, Film, Theatre … And More

By Walter Rutledge
Evan_Joseph_NYC34The first week of August is the height of the summer, and the same is true for the arts. This week an old master of modern art returns to midtown, while an up and coming dance company debuts in Central Park. Here are a few of the many events taking place in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to get you Out and About. Continue reading

Hollywood Monday: Chicago- Cell Block Tango and When You’re Good To Mama

Hollywood Mondays

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Chicago (2002) is an American musical comedy-drama film adapted from the satirical stage musical of the same name. Both the movie and the stage play explore themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Jazz Age Chicago. The film stars Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Catherine Zeta-Jones and also features Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Mya Harrison and Desmond Richardson.  Continue reading