[NEohioPAL]A Special Moment At the MU-Karamu

[Vivian Wilson]

A Special Moment with the MU: New Jack vs. Old Jack Swing: Appreciating The
Past

Karamu Performing Arts Theatre presents a special A Moment with the MU
Symposium titled New Jack vs. Old Jack Swing: Appreciating The Past on
Thursday, January 27, 6PM -7:15PM in the Jelliffe Theatre. The symposium is
in conjunction with the World Premier of St. Louis playwright Gregory S.
Carr's  Johnnie Taylor Is Gone directed by Caroline Jackson-Smith, which
opens January 28th - February 20th in the Arena Theatre.

The panel will include playwright Gregory S. Carr, Oberlin College Associate
Professor of African American Studies and director Caroline Jackson-Smith,
Cleveland Playhouse Artistic Director Michael Bloom, Chuck Patterson,
director for The Piano Lesson at the Cleveland Playhouse and local
playwright, theatre scholar James M.K. Spriggs who will moderate.  Johnnie
Taylor Is Gone will be in it's second preview run at 7:30PM following the
Thursday night symposium. Tickets are $5 for Wednesday and Thursday
previews.

"The title speaks for itself. The discussion is basically about not
forgetting those before you, in particularly, the new generation knowing who
they truly are and where they come from. Some tend to knock down such a rich
heritage that goes across the boards even beyond music.   Johnnie Taylor is
Gone  and  The Piano Lesson  are so parallel in message about holding on to
a legacy, that a dialogue was a  must to engage the community. Everyone can
relate to it. It's universal." states Terrence Spivey, Karamu's Artistic
Director.

The symposium is free to the public. You must RSVP to Karamu Theatre Dept.
at 216-795-7070 ext. 242 by Thursday, January 20, 2005.

Selected from the 12th Annual R. Joyce Whitley Arenafest Festival of New
Plays in 2004,  Johnnie Taylor Is Gone  takes place in the Golden Zodiac
Lounge, a bar in North St. Louis, is a haven for a colorful group of "Old
School" misfits led by the owner Will Strong. In their world, Johnnie Taylor
is king and Koko Taylor is queen until a "New Jack" entrepreneur wants to
settle a score and turn the bar into a Hip-Hop club. Religion, politics,
sports and music provide fodder in this new comedy.

Karamu Performing Arts Theatre
2355 East 89 Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44106