South Florida- African American Performing Arts Community Theatre (AAPACT)proudly presents its production of "The Amen Corner," written by James Baldwin. "The Amen Corne" is a three-act play that addresses the role of a church and African American family the effect of poverty born racial prejudice on African American community. Directed by Teddy Harrell, Jr.
For years Sister Margaret Alexander (Seward) has moved her Harlem congregation with a mixture of personal charisma and ferocious piety. But when Margaret's estranged husband Gainey, a scapegrace jazz musician, comes home to die, she is in danger of losing both her standing in the church and the son Cason, she has tried to keep on the godly path.
"The Amen Corner" is a play about faith and family, about the gulf between black men and black women and black fathers and black sons. It is a scalding, uplifting, sorrowful and exultant masterpiece of the modern American theater. "The Amen Corner" was produced at Howard University in 1955, and later on Broadway in the mid-1960s. "A compelling play on faith and the hypocrisy of the church". J. Lopez - Goodreeds"
"The Amen Corner" performances run from February 20, 2013 through March 17, 2013 at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center located at 6161 NW 22nd Avenue, Miami-Dade, Florida. Visit www.aapact.com
"The Amen Corner" stars Brandiss Seward, Janet Toni Mason, Sarah Gracel Anderson, Carolyn Johnson, Regina Hopkins Hodges, Lamar Hodges, Jeffery Cason, Jr., Andre' L. Gainey, Ajia Williams, Yvonne Strachan and Toddra Brunson-Solomon. Featuring: Adrian Bell, Hasani Morey and Leondra Mitchell.
James Baldwin (Playwright) 1924-1987was born in Harlem, New York City. He offered a vital literary voice during the era of civil rights activism in the 1950s and '60s. The eldest of nine children, his stepfather was a minister. At age 14, Baldwin became a preacher at the small Fireside Pentecostal Church in Harlem. In the early 1940s, he transferred his faith from religion to literature. Critics, however, note the impassioned cadences of Black churches are still evident in his writing.
Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), his first novel, is a partially autobiographical account of his youth. His essay collections [Notes of a Native Son (1955), Nobody Knows My Name (1961), and The Fire Next Time (1963)] were influential in informing a large white audience. From 1948, Baldwin made his home primarily in the south of France, but often returned to the USA to lecture or teach. In 1957, he began spending half of each year in New York City.
His novels include Giovanni's Room (1956), about a white American expatriate who must come to terms with his homosexuality, and Another Country (1962), about racial and gay sexual tensions among New York intellectuals. His inclusion of gay themes resulted in a lot of savage criticism from the Black community.
Eldridge Cleaver, of the Black Panthers, stated the Baldwin's writing displayed an "agonizing, total hatred of blacks." Baldwin's play, "Blues for Mister Charlie," was produced in 1964. "Going to Meet the Man" (1965) and "Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone" (1968) provided powerful descriptions of American racism. As an openly gay man, he became increasingly outspoken in condemning discrimination against lesbian and gay people.
Teddy Harrell, Jr. (Director) conceived AAPACT in 1999 and produced its debut production, The Island written by Athol Fugard in 2001. Harrell has produced and directed many of the company’s productions including last season’s "Jelly Belly," "Fathers and Other Strangers" and "Dutchman". As an actor he has been featured in numerous productions in South Florida including AAPACT’s "The Island, Sizwe Bansi is Dead" and "Zooman and the Sign".
Regular evening performances are 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee Performances are Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Regular Admission is $20. Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 21, 2013, AAPACT is offering PREVIEW Performances at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $10. Friday, February 22, 2013 Florida Humanities Council Special Talk Back Nite Performance. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15.
"The Amen Corner" Official Opening Performance Saturday, February 23, 2013. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Admission is $25. Sunday, February 24, 2013 Arts Industry/Social Media Friends Performance. Showtime is 3:00 p.m. Admission is $15.
March tickets are $20 with Performances on March 1, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., March 2, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., March 3, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., March 8, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., March 9, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., March 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., March 15, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., March 16, 2013 8:00 p.m. $20, March 17, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.
Discount Rates for Groups of 10 or More beginning at $15 per person for all shows except the February 23, 2013 which is "The Amen Corner" Official Opening Performance. To RSVP or your seats or purchase tickets call 305- 456-0287 (Leave A Message), Send an email to: theatre@aapact.com or Visit AAPACT online at: www.aapact.com.
Visit AAPACT at www.facebook.com/BlackTheatreMiami. Follow AAPACT on Twitter at: twitter.com/aapact
The African American Performing Arts Community Theatre (AAPCT) was founded in 1999. The company is composed of local black actors, directors and stage technical professionals who strive to enhance and promote cultural awareness and education through the performing arts to inner city youth and theatergoers in the surrounding Miami-Dade County community. AAPACT is a not-for-profit 501(3) c organization, all contributions are tax deductible. AAPACT "Building better communities through theatre"
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