Lia Chang Multimedia: Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance Opening Night Photos: André De Shields, Mercedes Ellington and Alfred Preisser

The Working Theater kicked off Black History Month last night with a limited two week run of André De Shields’ solo work-in-progress Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance at The Abingdon Theatre.

André De Shields as Mau Mau Bett in The Working Theater’s production of Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance at the June Havoc Theatre, Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex in New York. © Lia Chang

In Mine Eyes, De Shields weaves a narrative in story, song and dance, portraying a praise singer, a slave, JB and Martin Luther King, to tell the story of the great emancipator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

André De Shields as The Slave © Lia Chang

Created and performed by De Shields, and helmed by frequent collaborator director Alfred Preisser, Mine Eyes runs through February 14th, 2010 at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36th Street in New York.

Mark Plesent, producing director, The Working Theater, André De Shields, Mercedes Ellington, and director Alfred Preisser at the opening night party of Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance, at the Houndstooth Pub on February 4, 2010 in New York. © Lia Chang

Choreographer Mercedes Ellington and playwright Paul Carter Harrison were among the well wishers at the opening night party at the Houndstooth Pub in New York.

André De Shields as JB © Lia Chang

Founded in 1985, The Working Theater’s mission is to produce plays for and about working people. “We believe theater should not be a privilege or a luxury, but a staple,” says Mark Plesent. “We want working people who may not be able to afford commercial theater or who feel that it does not resonate with their lives and experience, to make play-going a regular part of their cultural activities.”

Director Alfred Preisser and André De Shields at the opening night party of Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance, at the Houndstooth Pub in New York on February 4, 2010. © Lia Chang

Over the years, the company has commissioned and produced more than 70 world premieres of culturally diverse new plays; garnered widespread recognition and critical acclaim for writing, acting, directing, as well as their pioneering efforts in audience development.

The performance schedule for Mine Eyes is Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Friday, February 12th at 2pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. All tickets are $25 and can be ordered online at www.smarttix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. For special group discounts call (212) 244-3300. www.theworkingtheater.org.

Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, June Havoc Theatre
312 W. 36th Street (btwn 8th & 9th Aves)
http://www.andredeshields.com

André De Shields as Frederick Douglass in The Working Theater’s production of Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance at the June Havoc Theatre, Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex in New York. © Lia Chang

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachang@hotmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
A night out with Gordana Rashovich, Flora Goforth in The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
André De Shields Set for World Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Indiana Rep, 3/22-4/10
Photos: A.B. Cruz III and Lillian Kimura Receive 2011 AALDEF Justice in Action Awards
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang: André De Shields Celebrates Black History Month starring in The Working Theater’s Production of Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory at The Abingdon in February 2010

André De Shields in Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance. © Lia Chang

In celebration of Black History Month 2010, two-time Tony nominee André De Shields will perform his solo work-in-progress, entitled Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance , for 12 performances only from Thursday, February 4 through Sunday February 14 at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36 St. in New York.

Presented by The Working Theater, Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance was created, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, and will be directed by Alfred Preisser.

André De Shields in David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre at the Alliance in Altanta. © Lia Chang

Mr. De Shields notes that the months of January and February 2010 host the following historic events: Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday (Jan 19); the first anniversary of the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama (Jan 20); Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb 12) and the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth (Feb/1818). “In my performance, I explore the life and achievements of the Great Emancipator, Frederick Douglass. Douglass began his life as a slave, through heroic efforts, became one of America’s most important and historically influential African American leaders.”

De Shields just returned to New York from Atlanta, where he was starring in the Alliance Theatre’s production of David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre opposite Ariel Shaffir, to attend the 37th Annual Audelco Awards ceremony at Aaron Davis Hall on November 16. His turn as the title character in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s production of ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE, garnered him his 6th Audelco, “The Viv” award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical, Male.

AUDELCO (Audience Development Committee, Inc.) was established and incorporated in 1973 by the late Vivian Robinson, to stimulate interest in, and support of performing arts in black communities. The annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition, “The VIV”Awards are the only formally established awards presented to the black theatre community.

AUDELCO winner André De Shields (center) flanked by Tyrone Davis, Charletta Rozzell and Reji Woods in the Classical Theatre of Harlem's ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE at The Clurman in July, 2009. © Lia Chang

ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE, co-written by Alfred Preisser and Randy Weiner, received three other Audelcos, including Musical Production of the Year, Outstanding Performance in a Musical, Female (Kim Brockington) and Outstanding Musical Director (Kelvyn Bell).

Six time Audelco award winner André De Shields (Outstanding Performance in Musical, Male) and Julia Breanetta Simpson at the 37th Annual Audelco Awards at Aaron Davis Hall in New York on Monday, November 16.

Loosely based on Moliere’s classic work Tartuffe, and inspired by the fabulously unorthodox ministries of Daddy Grace, Reverend Ike and Rasputin, ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE enjoyed a successful sold out run at The Harold Clurman on 42nd Street in the Summer of 2009. The musical is set to reopen later this season for an open commercial run.

Click here for a full list of AUDELCO winners.

De Shields has appeared in numerous Broadway, Off Broadway and regional productions as well as television and film. This summer, in addition to the wildly successful Off-Broadway production of The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE, he appeared in The Public Theatre’s production of Euripides’ The Bacchae in Central Park. On Broadway, he appeared in Impressionism as well as the original Broadway casts of The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On!, The Full Monty and Prymate, among many others. He also conceived, co-wrote, directed, and starred in Haarlem Nocturne.

André De Shields in Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance. © Lia Chang

In August, he was presented with The National Black Theatre Festival’s “Living Legend” Award. He won the coveted OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance in 2007. His television credits include Cosby, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle and Life on Mars.

André De Shields’ Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance will run from February 4 through 14, 2010 at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36 St. in New York. The performance schedule for Mine Eyes is Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Wednesday, February 10th at 2pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. All tickets are $25 and can be ordered online at www.smarttix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. For special group discounts call (212) 244-3300. www.theworkingtheater.org.

André De Shields as Frederick Douglass (Photo by Lia Chang)

Founded in 1985, The Working Theater’s mission is to produce plays for and about working people. “We believe that theater should not be a privilege or a luxury, but a staple,” says Mark Plesent. “We want working people who may not be able to afford commercial theater or who feel that it does not resonate with their lives and experience, to make play-going a regular part of their cultural activities.” Over the years, the company has commissioned and produced more than 70 world premieres of culturally diverse new plays; garnered widespread recognition and critical acclaim for writing, acting, directing as well as their pioneering efforts in audience development.
www.theworkingtheater.org
Click on the arrow below for an excerpt of André as Frederick Douglass.



All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog. Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

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Lia Chang: André De Shields Stars in Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe

André De Shields Photo by Lia Chang

André De Shields plays the title character in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s production of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe by Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner, at The Clurman @ Theatre Row in New York, from June 12 – July 19, 2009.  Opening night is June 25.

Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe is an original play with music, inspired by Moliere’s great comic classic and informed by the gloriously unorthodox ministries of Reverend Ike, Daddy Grace and Rasputin.  Set within a fabulously theatrical Harlem Renaissance-era “church,” the play explores the outrageously creative criminal mind of the title character through a series of songs, dances, sermons and feats of divine inspiration. Helmed by Alfred Preisser, the cast also stars Ted Lange and Kim Brockington, and features Lawrence Street, Reji Woods, Tyrone Davis, Jennifer Akabue, Gina Marie Rivera, Kisa Willis, Charletta Rozzell, Soneelea Nankani, Jabari Brisport and Gerron Atkinson.

The multiple Tony Award nominee has appeared in numerous Broadway, Off Broadway and regional productions as well as television and film, and just completed a run on Broadway in Michael Jacobs’ Impressionism, starring Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. On Broadway, he appeared in the original casts of The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On!, The Full Monty and Prymate. He also conceived, co-wrote, directed, and starred in Haarlem Nocturne. In 2007, he won the coveted OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence in Performance. His television credits include Cosby, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle and Life on Mars.

Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe will play Tuesdays 7pm, Wednesday through Friday evenings at 8pm, Saturdays st 3pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm & 7pm. Tickets will be $51.25 (including restoration fee) and can be purchased at http://www.TicketCentral.com or by calling 212.279.4200. The Clurman Theatre is located at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St., between 9th and 10th Aves.
Click here to purchase or 212.279.4200

Group Rates & Reservations Email: info@Classicaltheatreofharlem.org

From the Classical Theatre of Harlem stage, De Shields heads outdoors to the Delacorte Theater, where he’ll portrays Teiresias in The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of The Bacchae from August 11-30, with an opening on August 24. Joanne Akalaitis will direct.

Presented in a translation by Nichoas Rudall, and featuring original music by Philip Glass, the production re-imagines the classic story about what happens when a government attempts to outlaw desire.

The cast will feature George Bartenieff as Cadmus, Jonathan Groff as Dionysus, Karen Kandel as Chorus Leader, Joan MacIntosh as Agave, Steven Rishard as Cowherd, and Rocco Sisto as Messenger. The Greek chorus will include Marisa Echeverria, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Ikeda, Jennifer Nikki Kidwell, Alexa Kryzaniwsky, Vella Lovell, Nana Mensah, Ereni Sevasti, Elena Shaddow, Han Tang, and Idara Victor.

André De Shields as Frederick Douglass (Photo by Lia Chang)

Over the Labor Day weekend, De Shields will embody Frederick Douglass in his solo show Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance, at the Yard in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard on September 4, 5, and 7.

Conceived, researched and written by De Shields, in Mine Eyes, he explores the life and achievements of the Great Emancipator, Frederick Douglass. Douglass began his life as a slave, and through heroic efforts, became one of America’s most important and historically influential African American leaders.

For more information, visit www.dancetheyard.org.

Click on the arrow below for an excerpt of Andre as Frederick Douglass.

From October 28-November 15, De Shields will star in David Mamet’s two-hander A Life in the Theatre, directed by Robert O’Hara at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Ga.

For tickets and information, call 404-733-4600 or visit www.alliancetheatre.org.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, VIBE, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
A night out with Gordana Rashovich, Flora Goforth in The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
André De Shields Set for World Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Indiana Rep, 3/22-4/10
Photos: De Shields, McClendon, Elisa, Glasco, Nemser, Phillips, Thompson at The Sovereign State of Boogedy Boogedy Reading
Photos of Lion Dancers in Los Angeles Chinatown
Photos: A.B. Cruz III and Lillian Kimura Receive 2011 AALDEF Justice in Action Awards
Photos of Lion Dancers in Los Angeles Chinatown
Photos: Chinese New Year Festival at The Huntington in San Marino
Photos:The Working Theater’s Off-Broadway production of HONEY BROWN EYES by Stefanie Zadravec at The Clurman
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet,Tracee Chimo opening night of Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon
André De Shields leads cast of Charles Smith’s Knock Me A Kiss at Abrons Arts Center
STORIES FROM CHINESE AMERICA: The Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 2 as 4 disc DVD Box Set
Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Photo Call: BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society
cllick here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.