Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 June 2004 — Page 22

Comics • Super Crossword • People & Trends

C SECTION FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2004

Phylicia Rashad excels in Hansberry's classic 'Raisin in Hie Sun

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Wrltar

Many of us have read Lorraine Hansberry’s play “Raisin in the Sun.” We know how deep the “struggles of the Black family” story line runs in the blood of all Black people and how Hansberry gave us hope and taught us to believe in each other. Before “Raisin” appeared back on Broadway in April at the Royale Theater in New York City, on March 11,1959, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre it made its debut starring Sidney Poitier as Walter Lee Younger. This time around, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has the responsibility of portraying Walter Lee Younger, alongside Audra McDonald (Ruth Younger), Sanaa Lathan (Beneatha Younger), Phylicia Rashad

(Lena Younger) and Alexander Mitchell (Travis Younger). Although a stomach ailment sent Combs home during intermission, his understudy Billy Eugene Jones stepped into Poitiers shoes with ease and was even more enjoyable to watch, being a trained actor and all. “Raisin” is heart stopping. Although it’s obvious Combs is the least talented and Rashad steals the show (proof is her Tony Award for best lead actress in a drama), the entire cast is amazing. In the intimacy of the Royale it’s difficult to feel like you’re not a part of the lower middle class Younger family on the southside of Chicago in the 1950s. When the stage lights shine as the play begins, it’s an early weekday morning and Ruth is cook- ► See RAISIN, PaqeC?

Above: Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan play the Younger women, Lena, Ruth and Beneatha in Lorraine Hansberry's play "Raisin In the Sun.” Rashad and McDonald recently won a Tony Award for their performance. Left: Sean “P. Diddy" Combs plays Walter Lee Younger In his first Broadway play alongside Alexander Mitchell who plays 12-year-old Travis

Younger.

• * a, v, • v v jKffdfryftv "T "Raisin In the Sun” will be on Broadway at the Royale

Theater In New York

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CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTH A hip down memory layne'

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer

Lately it seems as if she is everywhere. Performing on Thursday nights at Club 421, singing at the Jazz Kitchen, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and a host of other random venues. To celebrate June, as Black Music Month, Cynthia Layne, a vocalist who sings all genres of music, seemed fitting for the third week of the monthlong celebration. Layne, a native of Dayton, Ohio, relocated to Indy back in the early 1990s. As she was settling into her new hometown, of which she relocated with her husband at the time, she continued to sing and perform to eventually become what is she today. Layne said in an interview with The Recorder, “My favorite genre of music is jazz. Jazz is a more free form and there are more liberties with

Cynthia Laynt will ptrform at the Indy Jazz Fast on Saturday, June 19 on tha main staga at 12:45 to 130 pjn.*^ jazz, more of an art and a lot more expressive.” As a child she enjoyed rock n’ roll music but admits that she did enjoy the vocals of Tina Marie and Natalie Cole. ► See LAYNE, Page C5

BOOKMARK Truth Be Told is too good to sit on bookshelves IfSTStllING AUTHOI OF rfMITITION INI JOi

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

The beginning of Victoria Christopher Murray’s latest novel Truth Be Told finds Grace Monroe on top of the world. She has just been named councilwdman of the 18th District in Los Angeles, her husband Conner has a successful law firm with his twin brother and loves her to pieces, her two daughters, 15-year-old Jayde and 7-year-old Amber are healthy and happy, and she won the election promoting Christian faith and values. But as the saying goes: what goes up must come down. Truth Be Told is a novel filled with faith, betrayal and ethics while teachingyou howto forgive and heal through God. Grace's world is turned upside down when she receives devastating news from her husband that when he was dealing with her infidelity, he had sex with his former employee, Pilar. At first thought you may think thisisasmall problem since Grace stepped outside of the marriage first, but as the plot thickens it becomes huge. Pilar announces to Conner that she has a 12-year-old son named Solomon that also belongs to him. She wants Conner to take Solomon into his home and raise him because she has full blown AIDS and is dying. Her family is from Cuba and disowns Solomon because he is part African American. Grace's personal, professional and spiritual journey begins as she is faced with how to accept her husband’s child into their home, informing their daughters that ► Sm TRUTH, Pag# C6

Get away for a weekend in Chicago

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Wrltar

Now that summer is right around the corner (June 21) many people are beginning to

plan trips and vacations out of Bloomingdale’s in New York City

was that I was about 30 years younger than anyone else there. The show' is about, obviously, menopause and what women deal with when they go through “the change.” The setting was

town.

However, even though summer is an ideal time for travel, everyone isn’t always able to take long vacations. But, ifyou want aquick weekend trip to get away for a little while, I have a suggestion for you. This past weekend I took a short three-hour drive to Chi-

cago.

I had tickets to see three popular productions in the city, “Menopause: The Musical,” “Blue Man Group” and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” This gave me the chance to see a play per day starting on Friday, and I also had time to do other things in the city. I started with “Menopause” Friday evening. The first thing I noticed when I entered the theater before the play even started

and four women, all of whom are going through menopause, meet and share stories of what it’s like. The cast’s voices were terrific, especially Lori Holton-Nash who played the part of Power Woman. The acting left little room for improvement as the women flowed flawlessly across the stage bringing you into their world of hot flashes, weight gain, memory lapses and anti-depression medi-

cation.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a single joke in the play. In order to find humor in this you have to be able to relate, and since I haven’t been through menopause, nor have I been around anyone who has, I was completely lost. The women in the theater thoroughly enjoyed the performance, however. I’ve never seen a group of elderly women rolling on the floor with laughter like that.

i lovf you. BLUE mpw MAN Now Change group

The second production I caught was the nowfamous phenomenon “BlueMan Group.” lean saywithout hesitation this is a must-see performance. The show itself is hard to describe. It’s a mixture of performance art, music, comedy and commentary on life. “Blue Man Group” challenges the audience to question what really is art? It is an interactive show, so be prepared to participate somehow. I have to say if you make it to Chicago, seeing“Blue Man Group” should be a priority. The final show I went to was “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” This is another musical comedy, but unlike “Menopause” the reason I didn’t laugh is because it wasn’t funny, not because I didn’t get the jokes. This show featured two women and two men interchanging characters exploring what it’s like to be in relationships. The clever, original title made me believe I was going to view a clever, original play. I was wrong. The jokes were, for lack of a better word, corny. The acting was mediocre, as was the writing. Unfortunately this was the last play I saw for the weekend, but it didn’t spoil the other performances I watched. While I was there, I got the opportunity to stay at the brand new Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile. The hotel was beautiful with large rooms, a pool for the kids, a workout room, restaurants and some of the best service I’ve ever experienced. So if you’re trying to get away for a weekend, I suggest giving this trip a try.

Harrison Center Music and Arts Festival The Harrison Canter for the Arts held the Indianapolis Music and Arts Festival recently. Photographer Bill Rasdel (left) discusses his recent trip to Cuba as local artist Bruce Armstrong listens intently to the tale. (Photo/J. Hurst)

Jazz on the Avenue

Billy Wooten plays the xylophone during Jazz on the Avenue at the Madame Walker Theatre. Wooten has performed In Indianapolis for over 30 years and is often remembered for his jingle In the local Cash Bargain Center commercial. (Photos/J. Hurst)

Showin’ Off!

Urban Arts of Indianapolis Inc. sponsored the Fifth Annual Showin’ Off performance at Crispus Attucks Middle School auditorium. The libada Dance Company performs an ensemble piece.

Middle East belly dancers offer a bit of International flavor to Showin* Off. (Photos/J. Hurst)