The 64th Annual Tony Awards is perhaps the most important night for Broadway, highlighting excellence in various categories of theatre. The event took place last Sunday at Radio City Music Hall with host, Sean Hayes. Other winners included Memphis for Best Musical, and John Logan's drama Red, for Best Play.
Fences is a play by August Wilson set in 1950-60's Pittsburgh, and follows the struggle of a former Negro League baseball player, Troy Maxson, who becomes a garbage collector. The first time this play was staged, it earned a Tony Award for Best Play as well as a Best Leading Actor award for James Earl Jones, Best Featured Actress for Mary Alice, Best Direction for Lloyd Richards and the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Bill T. Jones, winner of the 2010 Tony for Best Choreography in a Play (Fela) *Photo: imdb.com. Denzel Washington & Viola Davis, winners of the 2010 Tony for Best Actor & Actress in a Play, (Fences) Photo: WireImage.com
I didn’t get to see this but I have read August Wilson’s plays, and it is no wonder how much recognition this man has received as a playwright. Fences is only one of ten plays that Wilson wrote to document a different decade of the African-American culture during the 20th century. Wilson is the only African-American playwright to have a Broadway theatre in his name. His work has accomplishment written all over it.
Fela is a play by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones that chronicles the life of Nigerian musician, Fela Juti, and how his sound influenced the nation. First-time theatre producers, Will & Jada Smith were attached to this project as well as Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
I saw this play, and let me tell you, 'Best Choreography' is an understatement! Every move is deeply African, and it is rich with fluid arm movement, and high jumps. During the production, the lead actor allows the audience to share in on the experience as well by teaching how to rotate your hips in a clockwise motion - a nice way to feel like you can dance too.
Want more? Visit The Tony Awards Website & Fela On Broadway.
UrsTrulee,
KareemaBee
Spread Love. Live Life. Be Inspired.
Proud supporter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Fences is a play by August Wilson set in 1950-60's Pittsburgh, and follows the struggle of a former Negro League baseball player, Troy Maxson, who becomes a garbage collector. The first time this play was staged, it earned a Tony Award for Best Play as well as a Best Leading Actor award for James Earl Jones, Best Featured Actress for Mary Alice, Best Direction for Lloyd Richards and the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Bill T. Jones, winner of the 2010 Tony for Best Choreography in a Play (Fela) *Photo: imdb.com. Denzel Washington & Viola Davis, winners of the 2010 Tony for Best Actor & Actress in a Play, (Fences) Photo: WireImage.com
I didn’t get to see this but I have read August Wilson’s plays, and it is no wonder how much recognition this man has received as a playwright. Fences is only one of ten plays that Wilson wrote to document a different decade of the African-American culture during the 20th century. Wilson is the only African-American playwright to have a Broadway theatre in his name. His work has accomplishment written all over it.
Fela is a play by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones that chronicles the life of Nigerian musician, Fela Juti, and how his sound influenced the nation. First-time theatre producers, Will & Jada Smith were attached to this project as well as Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
I saw this play, and let me tell you, 'Best Choreography' is an understatement! Every move is deeply African, and it is rich with fluid arm movement, and high jumps. During the production, the lead actor allows the audience to share in on the experience as well by teaching how to rotate your hips in a clockwise motion - a nice way to feel like you can dance too.
UrsTrulee,
KareemaBee
Spread Love. Live Life. Be Inspired.
Proud supporter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
I missed it but I did see Fila. It was great