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| Stogie Kenyatta's Acclaimed One-Man Show on Paul Robeson Stogie Kenyatta brings a unique interpretation to the stage, where he majestically captures the essence of Paul Robeson. Portraying 10 characters he chronologically takes us thru the life of History's 1st Black renaissance man & one of America's most complex & brilliant citizens. Magnificently performed without intermission, with props, several wardrobe changes & an inspiring finger-snapping Jazz, Bebop, Gospel, Big Band soundtrack. The play opens as Robeson's father, a 15 year old runaway slave, rides the underground railroad to freedom. As laugh out loud funny & entertaining as it is educational. Kenyatta ages from a 5 year old to the 70 yr old, world weary warrior that the blacklisted Robeson had become. The show covers the Harlem Renaissance, with music from Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway & Robeson himself. As actor ages; he changes in front of the audience, from shirtless to full tuxedo. The wardrobe from slave outfits to Othello's royal robe was meticulously designed by Designer Tuesday Conner. Kenyatta uses his stand up comedy skills, laughter, satire, singing & brilliant storytelling to introduce us to the scholar, actor, singer, athlete, activist that was Robeson. Kenyatta's portrayal reveals the sense of humor, charm, wit, romantic passion, & human frailties of a life filled with triumphant achievement & the tragedy of hopes unfullfilled. In the final scene, Robeson's spine-tingling account of the horrors of captivity & the Middle-Passage; where sick women & children slaves were tossed into the sea, is so electrifyingly powerfull, it gives you goosebumps. It's the perfect ending to a riveting evening of theatre. Paul Robeson's life exemplified all the qualities that our society holds dear & all the courage & compassion that make America great. This son of a preacherman's life, transcended race & nationality. His dream for a colorblind society, shaped his belief that, if we accept the fatherhood of God; we must accept the brotherhood of man. He spoke out against the Holocaust, visited the Warsaw ghettos in Poland & recorded anti-nazi songs in Yiddish. Before he was blacklisted by the H.U.A.C. hearings, he recieved numerous awards & a mountain in Moscow was named in his honor. This show serves as a classy, cultural artistic centerpiece & complements any social agenda. Our objective is that the show will inspire an appreciation for diversity & propel its audience to greater success & guide them to a more nobel life. The show is currently touring colleges, churches, art festivals, & special corporate events. Jamaican born & Brooklyn bred, Stogie Kenyatta shows his tremendous range as an actor in this tour de force performance. A classically trained character actor with leading man looks; at 6'4" - 220lbs of athletic muscle, he bears a strong physical as well as facial resemblance to Paul Robeson. While his voice is no match for Robeson's bass baritone, it more than adequately serves the production. But it is Stogie Kenyatta's commanding stage presence, charisma & charm, as he effortlessly transitions thru the ages & the 10 characters: It becomes remarkably evident we are witnessing a gifted artist in his finest hour on stage. Stogie has amassed over 25 TV & Film credits from sit-coms, soap operas, to guest starring roles on the series JAG, ER, FBI, Bold & Beautiful and MADD TV, Rengades, etc. He has performed in Europe, Tokyo, Japan & Okinawa. He was invited to perform this show in W.Africa. His wit & sarcasm serves him well as a working Stand- Up Comic and Screenwriter. However his one-man show on Paul Robeson is the work for which he is most proud & hopes it contributes to spreading his legacy. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |