It’s fitting that the conversation will include a discussion on Black theatre as Domingo, who starred in the historical dramas “The Butler” and “Selma,” is no stranger to topics regarding equal rights for African Americans and the LGBT community. Last December, he was photographed with “Selma” director Ava DuVernay and fellow “Selma” cast members David Oyelowo, E. Roger Mitchell, Wendell Pierce, Omar Dorsey, John Lavelle, Stephan James, Kent Faulcon, Lorraine Toussaint, Andre Holland, and Tessa Thompson at the film’s New York premiere wearing “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirts and raising their arms in the “don’t shoot” pose in a striking statement against police brutality.

In a previous interview for “The Advocate,” Domingo, who is gay, spoke on his role in social activism. “What my community asks of me, what the world asks of me, is to be useful and to use my gifts, and to hopefully shine a light on something which hasn’t been said, or to write something I feel needs to be added to the experiences not only of African-Americans, but of humans and human nature,”

The Tony nominated actor is currently appearing in a recurring role as “Strand” in the AMC series “Fear the Walking Dead” and is slated to appear in the Cinemax series “The Knick.” Domingo’s stage credits include Scottsboro Boys, for which he received his Tony nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. He also was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical when the show opened in London. Domingo also starred as “Billy Flynn” in the Broadway revival of Chicago. He most recently directed the Actors Theatre of Louisville’s production of August Wilson‘s Seven Guitars.

Domingo also is a heralded playwright, penning a one-man autobiographical play A Boy and His Soul, for which he won GLAAD Award: Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off–Broadway. He also wrote and starred in Wild with Happy in which New York Times reviewer Charles Isherwood called him a “ magnetic, versatile actor.”

In addition to his roles in “Selma” and “The Butler,” Domingo also has appeared in “Lincoln,” and the Spike Lee films “Red Hook Summer,” “Passing Strange,” and “Miracle at St. Ana.”

The Live & Outspoken series features live music, theatrical readings, dance, and provocative interviews and conversation. Tickets can be purchased here.

The post Colman Domingo on Live & Outspoken appeared first on Broadway Black.

August Wilson‘s Seven Guitars will be performed at Two River Theater from September 12, 2015 to October 4, 2015. The play, part of Wilson’s famous Pittsburgh Cycle, chronicles the story of Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton following his release from jail and a subsequent offer to sign a recording deal due to one of his songs becoming a musical sensation. A classic and timeless production that explores themes emblematic of Wilson’s work such as African-American masculinity and a search for success even in the midst of a racist society, Seven Guitars is an incredible play that still holds relevance in today’s society.

A part of the New Jersey theatre world for twenty-one years, Two River Theater has entertained audiences of over 55,000. The theatre is also known for producing new work and new plays, committed to “cultivate a new generation of theatregoers.”

Seven Guitars will see the directorial debut of Two River veteran, Brandon J. Dirden. Dirden is no stranger to the stage as he is best known for portraying Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Tony Award-winning play, All the Way. Additionally, Dirden has starred in Clybourne Park and Prelude to a Kiss on Broadway and also done some amazing work Off-Broadway. August Wilson’s Piano Lesson at the Signature Theatre & Detroit 67 at The National Black Theatre are definitely at the top of that list for us. The production, in addition to Dirden’s directing, hosts a fabulous cast of Broadway talent. Taking the stage is Dirden’s wife Crystal Dickinson  (You Can’t Take It With You, Clybourne Parke) as Louise, as well as his brother, Jason Dirden (A Raisin In The Sun, Fences) as Canewell. Also Brittney Bellizeare as Ruby, Brian D. Coats as Hedley, , Charlie Hudson III (A Raisin In The Sun) as Red Carter, Kevin Mambo (Fela!) as Floyd Barton and Christina Acosta Robinson as Vera.

Here at Broadway Black, we are thrilled to see a classic production with a new perspective and are sure that this will be a hit. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased here.

Watch an interview with Brandon J. Dirden down below where he talks about what inspired him to direct, among other things!

The ever so lovely Crystal Dickson did a really great interview with Theater Mania and it seems that the couple have other Wilson pieces they would like to conquer together.

Are there any roles on your August Wilson bucket list?
Brandon and I talk about this all the time. We would love to do Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and play Seth and Bertha. I would adore playing a married couple to Brandon onstage.

Read the entire interview HERE. It’s a treat!

The post Brandon Dirden Makes Directoral Debut with August Wilson Play appeared first on Broadway Black.

August Wilson’s work is getting a lot of much-deserved love and attention this upcoming theatre season. Actors Theatre of Louisville, one of the United States’ most prominent Tony-Award winning regional theatres, will be producing Seven Guitars, directed by accomplished theatre artist, Colman Domingo. Seven Guitars is one of the plays in Wilson’s well-known Century Cycle. It follows the story of blues musician Floyd Barton as he tries both to gather the pieces of his life he left behind as well as navigate the world as a Black man in 1940s Philadelphia.

Domingo leads a powerhouse cast that includes Joniece Abbott-Pratt (The Good Negro at the Public Theater), Joaquina Kalukango (Holler If Ya Hear Me, Godspell), Forrest McClendon (The Scottsboro Boys), J. Alphonse Nicholson (Autumn’s Harvest at Lincoln Center), Harold Surratt (Impressionist, Serious Money), Sharon Washington (The Scottsboro Boys) and Bowman Wright. Seven Guitars features original music and composition by Jon Spurney.

#Repost @j_fonz with @repostapp.
・・・
As we finish our last note session with our fearless, brilliant director @kingofbingo, we take a moment to bless the stage and invite our ancestors to join us. I’m so blessed to share this powerful story given to us by August Wilson with some of the most talented artist I know. @geecheegal @forrestmcclendon @jabbottpratt @joaquinakalukango @bowmanwright #HaroldSurratt All of you are true Queens and Kings of your craft. Thank you for sharing your gifts and allowing me to be apart of your family. Much love to everyone. Happy Opening! xoxo #lifeofanartist #blessed #steadygrind #family #bite #callmeFloyd @actorstheatre

A photo posted by Actors Theatre of Louisville (@actorstheatre) on Sep 3, 2015 at 12:14pm PDT

#Repost @kingofbingo with @repostapp. ・・・ The women of Seven Guitars at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Each one thrills. I am honored and blessed with each one. Happy Opening Night. @geecheegal @jabbottpratt @joaquinakalukango @actorstheatre A photo posted by Sharon Washington (@geecheegal) on Sep 3, 2015 at 7:20am PDT

#Repost @kingofbingo with @repostapp. ・・・ The men of Seven Guitars at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Happy Opening Night. I think you make Mr. Wilson proud. I know I am. So much love. @actorstheatre @forrestmcclendon @j_fonz @bowmanwright #haroldsurratte

A photo posted by Sharon Washington (@geecheegal) on Sep 3, 2015 at 7:18am PDT

Missing my brother-director-collaborator-friend. The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate @kingofbingo. We’ll have to play without him for the next two weeks! #SevenGuitars #AugustWilson @actorstheatre #classic #Repost @aktanov_domingo with @repostapp. ・・・ This man… So grateful to be inspired by his brilliance. He is KILLING it as a director of August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” #Louisville #actorstheatre #multifaceted #polyglot A photo posted by Sharon Washington (@geecheegal) on Sep 7, 2015 at 6:24am PDT

Domingo, whose extensive resume includes Academy-Award nominated film, Selma, as Reverend Ralph David Abernathy and starring on AMC’s hit television series, Fear The Walking Dead, is also an accomplished playwright. Domingo’s play, A Boy and His Soul, has been performed for both British and Australian audiences to rave reviews. Additionally, his play Wild with Happy made its debut at the Public Theater. When he is not writing, gracing the stage or screen, or directing, Domingo is on the Board of Directors of the Vineyard Theater in New York and has taught in many theatres around the country, including UNC Chapel Hill, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and University of Wisconsin.

Here at Broadway Black, we know that Domingo will bring a refreshing view to this classic entry in African-American theatre. To receive more information about Seven Guitars, as well as ways to purchase tickets, visit the Actors Theatre of Louisville website.

Sound off in the comments with your thoughts about the focus on August Wilson’s plays and whether the Century Cycle continues to remain relevant.

The post Colman Domingo Leads Powerhouse Cast of Seven Guitars at Actors Theatre appeared first on Broadway Black.

On today: we celebrate the 70th birthday of the “distiller of the Black experience,” #AugustWilson. #AllAUGUSTAllDay. pic.twitter.com/lcWXEGfIrF

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) April 27, 2015

Our followers jumped at the opportunity to join in the praise…

 

“All of human life is universal…it is theatre that illuminates the ability to speak for all man” #AllAUGUSTAllDaypic.twitter.com/3JKP18WfW8

— Mind Bar (@by_Meghan) April 27, 2015

#AugustWilson wrote the Black voice for all decades… You think “outchea” would be included in a cycle for today? #AllAUGUSTAllDay — Congo Square Theater (@congosquareCHI) April 27, 2015

Cherished memory. The cast of 7Guitars @CENTERSTAGE_MD with The Man. Happy Birthday #AugustWilson #AllAUGUSTAllDay pic.twitter.com/IBRKsNC4aQ

— Linda Powell (@lindapnyc) April 28, 2015

#AugustWilson #quotes #AllAugustAllDay https://t.co/eMWT2IAT9w

— Goodman Theatre (@GoodmanTheatre) April 27, 2015

Happy Monday! Loving this #AllAUGUSTAllDay in celebration of August Wilson.

— ReBecca Theodore (@FilmFatale_NYC) April 27, 2015

4/27/45 — Frederick August Kittel is born. The world grew to know and love him as #AugustWilson. #AllAUGUSTAllDay. pic.twitter.com/HOzTAU1pDR

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) April 27, 2015

August Wilson was an American playwright who did the unheard of- penning ten plays. One for each decade of the twentieth century for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. The Century Cycle gave a glimpse into American history through the lens of the Black experience. It included: Fences, Jitney, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Gem of the Ocean, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Two Trains Running, Radio Golf, and King Hedley II. What made Wilson’s work so incredible is that he did not write the plays sequentially. In fact, the last play he wrote and staged, Gem of the Ocean, is actually the first in the cycle.

Many of today’s most successful black actors and actresses have been a part of August Wilson’s work. Talents like Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, James Earl Jones, Taraji P. Henson, Courtney B. Vance, Phylicia Rashad and too many others to list have all had the opportunity to live in Wilson’s worlds and obtain great success.

“I think the play offers (white Americans) a different way to look at black Americans… For instance, in ‘Fences’ they see a garbageman, a person they don’t really look at, although they see a garbageman every day. By looking at Troy’s life, white people find out that the content of this black garbageman’s life is affected by the same things- love, honor, beauty, betrayal, duty. Recognizing that these things are as much part of his life as theirs can affect how they think about and deal with black people in their lives.”

-“August Wilson, Theater’s Poet of Black America, Is Dead at 60” The New York Times, October 3, 2005.

August Wilson understood the power of the theatre and used it to its full potential by inserting honesty and realism into every play. The lines read like poetry- exuding love, pain, tragedy, joy, slight, and pride. There is a resounding truth in all of Wilson’s work. It connects us, not only to the Black experience, but to the human experience.

To Mr. Wilson we say thank you for loving our people as a whole. For not censoring our lives, but articulating the meanings to help us better understand ourselves. Thank you for your integrity and empowerment. For allowing your characters to be vivid, complex, angry, happy, confused, arrogant, and gracious. Thank you for creating substantial and sustainable work that is constantly giving to every generation until the end of time… Much love, sir.

The post All Hail King August Wilson! appeared first on Broadway Black.