Rain Pryor Archives - Broadway Black

The National Black Theatre TEER Spirit Awards

Broadway Black — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 19:44:03 +0000

The Seventh Annual National Black Theatre TEER Spirit Awards Gala will take place on June 18th and will be hosted by Russell G. Jones. June 18th is NBT’s Founder’s Day as it is the birthdate of founder, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer. The Spirit Awards began as a commemoration of Dr. Teer after her passing in 2008 with a purpose of honoring those who continue the legacy set by the pioneers of the National Black Theatre.

In addition to visionary, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the creators of NBT also included Adetunde Samuel, and Fredrica L. Teer; each with an award to be given at the gala. In addition to those three awards, there is also recognition for contributors to NBT and the community.

This year’s Trailblazer recipient is playwright, Dominique Morisseau (Detroit ’67). The Pioneer Award will honor Carmen de Lavallade, Rosalba Rolón, and Sydne Mahone. The Adetunde Samuel Award will go to directors Kwame Kwei-Armah and Kamilah Forbes. Mary Schmit Campbell and Roberta Uno will receive this year’s Frederica L. Teer Award; and the Honorable Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye will receive the Dr. Barbara Ann Teer Spirit Award. Live entertainment for the evening will feature music led by Bert Price, Nsangou Njikam, and Rain Pryor who is currently performing her one-woman show, Fried Chicken and Latkes, at NBT now until June 28.

For tickets and more information about the TEER Spirit Awards Gala and the National Black Theatre, visit www.nbtf.org.

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Rain Pryor Brings Fried Chicken and Latkes To National Black Theatre

Broadway Black — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:45:50 +0000

Growing up Black and Jewish in the late 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Oh, and your father is Richard Pryor. If that ain’t a good show, then what is? Rain Pryor’s one-woman show, “Fried Chicken & Latkes” will play in NYC this June. This autobiographical cabaret-styled show explores her childhood as she navigates a life filled with diversity. While portraying almost a dozen characters she tells personal stories that gives true insight to racial identity, family history, and grief as it relates to the loss of her father, Richard Pryor.

Iterations of this piece have seen great success in L.A., Chicago, Ohio, Virginia, Texas, Atlanta, and Scotland as well as being called a NY Times “Critic Pick”. Now, under the direction of Kamilah Forbes, it will make its official world premiere at the National Black Theatre.

Throughout Rain Pryor’s career as an actor, comedian, director, producer, educator, and activist, she has been diligent in being true to who she is and all that she is. Refusing to be defined by industry labels, her unique and impactful voice has won her critical acclaim as well as delighted sold-out crowds nationwide.

One of the exciting things about the presence of this type of production is its rarity. Too often seen in the theater are replications of phallocentric narratives that so seldom allow the presence of those belonging to the “other” and when they are seen, they are all too frequently stereotyped. Pryor explores some of those stereotypes as they appeared in her own family and brings the cultures together to show the unifying humanity. In a time where the voices of women and people of color are still struggling to be heard in this country, Pryor stands out as more than a source of humor or entertainment, she is an artist who educates and heals with plenty of laughs along the way.
The world premiere of “Fried Chicken & Latkes” will run June 2-28 at the National Black Theatre 2031 5th Ave. New York, NY 10035. For tickets and more information visit www.nationalblacktheatre.org

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2013 National Black Theatre Festival

Broadway Black — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:01:38 +0000

It’s that time again! The 2013 National Black Theatre Festival kicked off in Winston-Salem, NC with a star-studded black-tie gala. This biennial festival is billed as “An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit” and will include six days of dynamic performances from over 35 professional Black theatre companies.

Broadway Black stars have shown up and show out this year!

Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change, Jelly’s Last Jam) is the 2013 celebrity co-chair, along with actor Dorien Wilson (The Parkers). Pinkins will also perform her new solo show Tonya Pinkins: Unplugged.

Tony nominees S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba, The Piano Lesson) and Paul Tazewell (A Streetcar Named Desire, The Color Purple) are among the 2013 NBTF honorees

The legendary Tony Award winning Lillias White (Dreamgirls, Fela!) will perform BIG MAYBELLE: Soul of the Blues, written and directed by Paul Levine.

Two-time Tony Award nominee André De Shields (The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’) will star in Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theatre production of Knock Me a Kiss.

Chester Gregory (Sister Act, Hairspray) is back with his new play The Eve of Jackie: A Tribute to Jackie Wilson.

Actor and Playwright Regina Taylor’s (I‘ll Fly Away, The Unit) gospel musical Crowns will be staged by the North Carolina Black Repertory Company

Rain Pryor will perform her off-Broadway hit Fried Chicken & Latkas.

The Negro Ensemble Company presents Women in the Pit starring the 2013 NBTF Sidney Poitier Lifelong Achievement Award Recipient Hal Williams (227, Sanford & Son).

Tony Award nominated Norm Lewis (Porgy & Bess, Les Misérables) and Hattie Winston (The Tap Dance Kid, Hair) are also in attendance along with many other film and television stars.

For more information about the National Black Theatre Festival visit: www.NBTF.org

We’re actually here at the festival this year and we’ll be bringing to reviews and sightings here! Check our instagram as well!

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