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Curtain Calls

Preview: 'Hastings Street'

Veteran actor inspires Mosaic Youth

After tackling Motown in the 1960s, the energetic young actors of Mosaic Youth Theatre are moving backwards through time to "Hastings Street," an original play with music that explores teenage life in 1940s Detroit, and in particular, the excitement and danger that existed in the once-popular neighborhood known as Black Bottom. Based on oral histories and staged originally as part of Detroit's tri-centennial celebration, this revival offers theatergoers – and more importantly, the young thespians – something the earlier production did not: the talent and wisdom of celebrated local actor Council Cargle.
In "Hastings Street," Cargle portrays poet Langston Hughes, a role the actor says was added to the show this year. "Before, it was a girl who came back to the area and she was trying to relive it," Cargle told Curtain Calls prior to a rehearsal last week. "But this time, they're using Langston Hughes who actually did pay a visit to the 'Y-Gees,' I understand. They're getting ready to perform at the Jabberwock (an annual talent competition), and I inspire them to get it together. It's a fun role."
The award-winning Cargle – possibly the nicest, sweetest actor currently working on a Michigan stage – is the first member of Actor's Equity – the professional actor's union – to ever appear in a Mosaic production. "I'm very privileged and proud about that, because they could get anybody to play Langston Hughes. Well, almost anybody," Cargle laughed.
Long a favorite at the Detroit Repertory Theatre and Plowshares Theatre Company, Cargle brings to "Hastings Street" not only his much celebrated talents, but also his many decades of experience that he gladly shares with the youngsters both on stage and off. "They don't dote on me like they do Langston in the play, but I know they appreciate me being here."
One such youngster is Harold Adam Harris, the play's antagonist. The two first met earlier this year while working together on a Super Bowl project, but Harris – an outgoing ball-of-energy – had never heard of him before. So when he learned they were reuniting for "Hastings Street," he went home "and got on Google and said, 'Whoa! I'm working with Council Cargle!' It's nice to be on stage with experienced actors, especially someone who's so well respected. You learn all these different tips just by talking to him."
Although Cargle brushes off the notion that he serves as the cast's elder statesman, he is pleased with "Hastings Street." "It's going to be most enjoyable, and yet, at the same time, it's a very powerful show. There are moments that will have you gasping or crying. But it's got great music, wonderful voices and great dancing.
"I don't do any singing or dancing, thank-you!" he added with a laugh.
For Part Two of this story, see Curtain Calls ONLINE.
Mosaic Youth Theatre presents "Hastings Street" Fri.-Sun. at the Detroit Film Theatre/Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit's Cultural Center, May 12-21. Tickets: $12-$18. For information: 313-833-4005 or http://www.mosaicdetroit.org.

Preview: 'Studio 2g"

Plowshares celebrates works, words of August Wilson

Detroit's Plowshares Theatre Company will make history later this month when it becomes the first theater to present all 10 of August Wilson's "20th Century Cycle Plays" back-to-back as the opening program of its latest initiative, "Studio 2g."
The plays, presented as staged readings over a two-week period, depict the African-American experience decade-by-decade throughout the twentieth century. Wilson's work will be performed in chronological order, said Gary Anderson, Plowshares' producing artistic director. "Not when they were developed or produced, but in the time periods of each piece."
The series will open Thursday, May 25 with "Gem of the Ocean," set in the 1900s, and close Sunday, June 4 with the 1990's "Radio Days." "After the ten-play marathon, you really ought to get a sense of what [August] was trying to get at, what he was really trying to say in his examination of African-American life through the twentieth century," Anderson said. "This is a great opportunity to look at the body of an artist's work and really look at what he contributed to the examination of African-American life through the arts."
It's the power of words that helped compel Anderson to create "Studio 2g." "My passion is about plays – words – things that say something. When I look back at the past 16 seasons, the plays I'm most proud of are all the plays that really have a point of view. So that's exactly what 'Studio 2g' will do. It's not about spectacle; it will be about the text."
To launch his innovative project, Anderson chose to produce Wilson's plays as staged readings rather than full productions to better concentrate on the playwright's words. And to speak those words, Anderson has asked several actors from earlier Plowshares productions to repeat their roles; others will be filled by a "second generation" of actors, including Janee Ann Smith who recently received rave reviews for her one-woman performance in Plowshares' "Pretty Fire." ("She's phenomenal," Anderson said.) Established veterans reprising their roles include Council Cargle, Charlotte Nelson, Herman McCain, Rhonda Freya English and Lynch R. Travis.
Plans call for "Studio 2g" to be an annual event, probably placed at the end of each season. "Next year will actually be a brand new script I'm really excited about," Anderson teased.
But for now, Anderson is excited about his upcoming 10-play marathon. "I can find no better way of kicking off this new initiative than by celebrating [Wilson's] life and career. But I think people need to be prepared to listen – and we don't do that enough."
For Part Two of this story – and to find out what "Studio 2g" stands for – check out Curtain Calls ONLINE at https://www.pridesource.com.
"Studio 2g" presents "August Wilson's 20th Century" at the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway in downtown Detroit, beginning May 25 and running through June 4. A special discount "Wilde Carde" performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" will be held Saturday, May 27 at 3 p.m. See ad elsewhere this issue for details. For complete schedule information, call Plowshares at 313-872-0279 or watch future editions of Theater Events.

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