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PEOPLE OF NOTE: Van Peebles tells the “Unmitigated Truth” while the Sisters say “Amen”
*Melvin van Peebles rested his sweet sweet back, looming large, against the backdrop of the tiny Parker Theatre within the greater Algonquin Theatre, located at 123 East 24th Street, in Manhattan. He continues his baadasssss song via his latest play “Unmitigated Truth: Life, A Lavatory, Loves, and Ladies.” Via melody and verse and the musical talents of William “Spaceman” Patterson, as well as the equally sweet refrains of Carmen Barika, the cast carries off this parody of love, amusing tales, and the great zampoogie of life, at least until July 1st that is.
William Patterson, Melvin Van Peebles, and Carmen Barika
Melvin’s tales present an assortment of characters which includes Old Brother, Sweet Lucy, Lily, and Sloppy 2 to name a few. He goes from the lavatory to the electric chair, from lust to love and from the mean streets to his mother’s arms just chippin away at life, one adventure at a time.
The audience play the bystander to Van Peebles antics as he travels down the highway of his life, a complicated life filled with adventures and misadventures that exposes the triumphs of the human endeavor and the seedier side of human nature.
Whatever the Unmitigated Truth is, it can be found via a life-time filled with lessons and experiences, knocks and taps, laughs and tears. Truth can sometimes be found in a lavatory as one tries to clean up the mess they made of it. It can be found aboard a ship, or via the means streets and even within the gentle caress of a woman’s arms. According to van Peebles we are all simply adrift in the currents of life letting it pull us along via the mind streams of our own perception.
“Unmitigated Truth: Life, a Lavatory, Loves and Ladies,” is running Sunday through Wednesday each week until Wednesday, July 1st. For information about the play visit www.algonquintheater.org or call 212-868-4444. The show starts at 8PM. Make sure you catch it!
“AMEN SISTER,” a Hadley Players presentation, is an award-winning comedic production written and directed by Roger Parris. Show cased at the Harlem School of the Arts, located at 646 St Nicholas Avenue (near 142nd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue) “Amen Sister” runs through June 28th.
Gertrude Jeannette'- Founder & CEO of the HADLEY Players
The audience gets a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes as the ladies of the Church decides on whether to replace a member whose work in the church was unequaled until her passing. However, Sister Aisha Newman, played by Taeonna Ancrum, is willing to step up to the challenge and take over the vacant spot, albeit with a younger mindset and new ideas that has Sister Esther (Olivia Williams) eager to keep the status quo. Strong in her opinion and eager to keep things the way they are, Sister Esther is not above stepping on the sensibilities of others to get her way. While the ladies love to hold their meetings in the comfort of Sister Ruby’s home (Kimberlee Monroe), it turns out their lives are not always so comfortable. The ladies have become so entwined in the Church that to a large degree the workings of the church has replaced the rigors of ordinary life, which at least, one or two of the ladies, have come to see as ungodly, especially when it comes to sampling the brew.
Sister Viola (Alice Boarman Garcia) is so imbued with the spirit of God she is remiss in her worldly responsibilities such as making sure she keeps a roof over her head. She keeps the secret of her homelessness from the other church members who finally wrestle it out of her over a bottle of wine. Something Viola never touched. But homelessness and fear makes Viola realize that sometimes one just has to live for the sheer sake of living. Viola finds a good friend in Sister Lucille (Lateefah Abdul-Jabbaar), who is a willing roommate and feisty soul. Filled with the spirit of the Caribbean and a love of life, Lucille is not willing to let Esther always get her way. She rallies the ladies, especially Ruby, who has not always lived the way of the Church, and convinces them all to use their voice for more than the singing of psalms.
This play is a slice of life that should be taken with a cup of tea. It’s a sweet and amusing production that is well worth the go see.
Grace L. Jones, William Patterson, Melvin Van Peebles, Carmen Barika, and Ken Webb
For tickets call 1-866-388-4-TIX or 866-388-4849 or online via www.TicketAnnex.com or visit the Hadley Players website at www.hadleyplayers.com (Photos by Charles Rogers)
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