WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

There was excitement in the air at the press conference held by the N.C. Black Repertory Company (NCBR) on Monday, June 3, at the Benton Convention Center. The banner behind the podium sported the festival’s new name and logo – The International Black Theatre Festival – to reflect the inclusion of international theatre companies, performers, directors, playwrights, and guests. Jackie Alexander, N.C. Black Rep producing artistic director, noted that 60,000 or more people are expected to attend the festival July 29-Aug. 3 and promised the first International Black Theatre Festival would have the best schedule in its history, including many events that will be free to the public. “We want to make sure all of Winston-Salem celebrates with us,” he declared.

Wende Walker and Dr. Elwanda Ingram announced the upcoming productions. Below are a few highlights on the 2024 schedule.

Musicals:

*Long-time Festival favorite and Broadway veteran Chester Gregory in “A Motown Celebration with Chester Gregory”

*Tina Fabrique in “How High the Moon: The Music of Ella Fitzgerald.”

*Emmy award winner and R&B singer Alyson Williams joins Grammy nominee Terry Steele in “Betcha By Golly Wow! There’s Never Too Much,” a tribute to Phyllis Hyman and Luther Vandross.

*Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater returns with “A Taste of Soul.”

*Black Vision Entertainment presents “At Last: An Etta James Story.”

*New Horizons Theatre presents “Blues is the Roots,” recognizing Muddy Waters as the primary creator of the genre.

*”Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition,” a festival favorite group, presents a new updated celebration of the popular music that ushered in the 1970s new era of soul. Their croon-out rich harmonies and energized choreography will have you clapping and dancing in your seats.

*Crowns,” the inspirational, joyous musical celebration of love and redemption, will be presented by Agape Theatre Project of Durham.

Comedy/Drama:

*NC Black Rep repeats its production of “Coconut Cake,” winner of the Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin Rolling World Premiere.

*Dorian Missick guest stars in August Wilson’s “King Hedley II.”

*Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles of  The Steve Harvey Morning Show performs his one-man show, “Nephew Tommy’s Life After 50.”

*N.C. Central University presents “Chicken & Biscuits,” as the Jenkins family comes together to celebrate the life of the patriarch, hopefully without killing each other.

*”Feed The Beast – The Tuskegee Experiment on the Negro Male” (world premiere) by Layon Gray American Theatre Company.

*Long-time Festival favorite Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents “Float Like a Butterfly,” which pays homage to heavyweight boxer Mohammad Ali, who took a stand against injustice.

*New Heritage Theatre Group brings “Love Warrior” to the stage, highlighting the power of the human spirit to triumph over immeasurable trauma. Daniel Koe Beaty shares his life-changing visit to the plantation where his great, great grandmother was enslaved.

*”Michael Colyar’s Comedy Extravaganza,” presented by The Rayloc Group LLC, is a magical journey of joy, laughter, love and positivity.

*”Paradise Blue,” presented by The Ensemble Theatre, is a jazz-infused, noir-inspired drama where we will meet Blue, a gifted trumpeter who contemplates selling his once vibrant nightclub in Detroit’s Blackbottom neighborhood, set in 1949.

*Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company presents “The Bluegrass Mile.” In 1899 two Black horse jockeys (America’s first athletes) compete for the inaugural running of the Bluegrass Mile.

*The world premiere of “The Claudette Colvin Story” presented by Blackberry Productions in association with Carl Nelson & Associates, is the story of Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old who stood for justice by staying seated on a bus.

*”Who Will Sing for Lena?” The Lexington Players of New England present a captivating one-woman show about Lena Mae Baker, a Black housemaid working in 1940s rural Georgia and how her dream was deferred by the times she lived in.

These are just a few of the spectacular productions to be staged in the 2024 International Black Theatre Festival. For a full schedule, including free events during the week, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.ncblackrep.org.