Will Power Interviewed at Princeton Public Library
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Video: The Plot of Fetch Clay, Make Man
Posted in FETCH CLAY, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, NEWS, VIDEO Tagged FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, McCarter Theatre, Playwright, theatre, Will Power Leave a comment
Fetch Clay, Make Man Review: The Star-Ledger
Sonequa Martin, Ben Vereen and Evan Parke in Fetch Clay, Make Man
Posted in FETCH CLAY, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, NEWS Tagged Ben Vereen, Des McAnuff, drama, Evan Parke, FETCH CLAY, Make Man, Playwright, Sonequa Martin, The McCarter Theatre Center, The Newark Srar-Ledger, The Star-Ledger, theatre, Theatre in teh New York area, Theatre in the New Jersey area, theatre in the Tri-State area, Will Power Leave a comment
Fetch Clay, Make Man Review: Philadelphia Inquirer
Review time is always an exciting and anxious time for a writer. Luckily, we received stellar notices and some mixed ones, but nothing too bad which is very cool. I’ll post a few of my favorites here. To read the rest, please go to the “press” section of the site.
Enjoy!
Will Power
Posted in FETCH CLAY, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, NEWS Tagged Back Stage, Ben Vereen, Des McAnuff, Evan Parke, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, John Earl Jelks, McCarter Theatre Center, Playwright, Richard Masur, Sonequa Martin, Theatre in New Jersey, Theatre in the New York are, Theatre in the New York Area, Will Leave a comment
A ROLE BEN VEREEN WAS BORN TO PLAY
Fetch Clay, Make Man has been up and running now for two weeks, and I’m just now starting to reflect-although the full vibe of what’s happened and what’s to come for the piece won’t be known until after we close. Still, been reflecting a bit. You know, this one has been a truly blessed experience for me-to work with a director so gifted as Des McAnuff, not to mention all the legendary designers AND my man Justin was right there doing the music like always-what more can a playwright ask for? How about a stellar cast, 5 actors receiving standing ovations every night and in the lead role-the one and only Ben Vereen.
When I was writing this piece, very early in its development, I knew I wanted Mr. Vereen to play the complex and controversial role of Stepin Fetchit (whose real name was Lincoln Perry). I didn’t know if it would ever be possible, but you can only try right? We asked Ben to come on board for a workshop, which he did and then let us know that he loved the role and wanted to be a part of the production. However, six weeks (only six weeks!) before we were to start rehearsals he called me to say he was pulling out. The reason? He was concerned, understandably so, that people wouldn’t understand what he was trying to do, and caste him off as some kind of Uncle Tom. This had happened to Ben before, as it happened to Lincoln Perry and other Black actors who were working with what they had within a specific era, and then judged (understandably or not) outside of the historical context in which they lived. I had to really talk to Ben, and tell him that the role was all about going deeper, not letting anyone of the hook, but really exploring the complexities of race, image, and the ever-elusive American Dream. He agreed but insisted that people still wouldn’t understand. I told him that I honestly felt that times had changed, and that folks were ready to look back on these older eras with more balanced eyes. And I told him that I didn’t know anyone who understood the role and could bring it to life the way he could (not to mention that he actually knew Stepin Fetchit, for more on that see the article). Finally, after a very stressful week in which we were on the verge of losing our lead, M. Vereen decided to play the part.
And oh how he plays it! And oh how amazing the cast is that plays the play with him! And oh how much love they are getting from critics and audiences alike! It is a true joy for me as a young African-American man to have been a part of creating a piece of theatre that allows one of my elders, and one of the great icons of the American stage to shine so bright. Thank you God for it all
READ ARTICLE HERE: Toronto Star: A role Ben Vereen Was Born to Play
Posted in FETCH CLAY, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, NEWS Tagged 1965, Ben Vereen, Boxing, Des McAnuff, FETCH CLAY, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, Hillywood in the 1920s and 1930s, Hollywood the Golden Era, Lewiston Maine, Lincoln Perry, McCarter Theatre Center, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston II, Old Black Hollywood, Old Hollywook, Stepin Fetchit, Theatre in New Jersey, Theatre in the New York are, Theatre in the New York Area, Will Power Leave a comment
BEN VEREEN TO STAR IN WILL POWER PLAY
I’m so excited that Mr. Vereen is now officially a part of the production! He joins the amazing Evan Parke, Tony Nominated actor John Earl Jelks, Theatre and screen veteran Richard Masur and Shonequa Martin. This one has been a long time coming-over three years in the making and now we’re two weeks from the first rehearsal-away we go! Check out the preview articles announcing the play in The New York Times, in Variety, Theatermania and Playbill.
For show info and go to The McCarter Theatre’s website
Will Power given Yellow Roses
Will Power in rehearsal with James Lapine
This past week I was in Texas having a grand ole’ time. DJ Reborn and I performed a swift 25 minute set in celebration of the AT & T Performing Arts Center down there in Dallas. It was the big gala opening. Our set was part of a larger set, and I found myself sharing the stage and hanging out back stage with the likes of Debra Monk, Alan Menken, Greg Kinnear and Bruce Willis who hosted the event (and whose hand I was holding at curtain call-the surprising, strange life of show business). The whole event was directed by James Lapine and produced by the great Lou Adler (who I was able to speak with briefly and I asked him about his time in the studio with Sam Cooke). It was a great experience, 1st class all the way including the flights. And it’s true they do everything big in Texas. One afternoon before rehearsal for the show, me and Reborn inquired about maybe getting a little brown rice to go with our meal, and I swear they brought out a HUGE tray, enough to feed like 15 people-we ate brown rice for three days straight~!
Posted in NEWS Tagged Alan Menken, AT & T Performing Arts Center, Bruce Willis, Dallas, Debra Monk, DJ Reborn, Greg Kinnear, hip hop, Hip Hop Theatre, James Lapine, Lou Adler, Texas, Theater, theatre, Will Power, Wyle Theatre Leave a comment
South Africa
The trip to South Africa was one of the most incredible experiences of my professional and personal life to be sure. I was on a U.S. State Department sponsored, barnstorming 12 day/4 city tour-first to Johannesburg, then Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. Got the opportunity to speak to so many different kinds of people, all with unique, inspiring stories to tell. I collaborated with theatre artists, MCs, poets, dancers, even taught a workshop for 25 librarians! Also lectured at several Universities including the University of Cape Town and Rhodes U, did some performing at several festivals and spoken word jams, did work in various townships-all amazing experiences.
After workshop in Johannesburg township
South Africa was thus far the country outside of America that I felt most connected to and here’s why. There was something strangely familiar about it. Their struggles with the Apartheid system, while very different from the struggles here, had some parallels that many folks there pointed out. I was shown places where historic battles had gone down, and I swear it was like when my father recounted his days in the Civil Rights Struggle as a member of SNICC. Also, it’s Africa, but it’s also a country with a western feel, in the technology, road construction, etc. It is a highly developed country that is led by black people, a democracy that is trying to be truly democratic and represent all the cultures (and there are so many) that define modern South Africa
Soweto, South Africa
Of course it’s not all harmony and people singing kuumba ya. There are massive issues of crime, poverty not to mention AIDS and still racism. But the opportunities are limitless. There exists a whole generation of young South Africans over there who have never experienced Apartheid first hand. They are coming of age and coming into their power. What kind of future will they create?
During Workshop in Durban
Des McAnuff set to direct Will Power’s Fetch Clay, Make Man
As many of you may know, the choice of director is key to having a successful production-especially when you’re working on a new play, as this is. The story behind this is-Emily Mann, the artistic director of the McCarter Theatre was going to direct the piece. About six months ago she phoned me to say that her schedule was such that she didn’t think she had the time necessary to do the play justice-she was to direct a revival of her critically and commercially acclaimed play “having our Say,” plus a new Edward Albee play she was slated to direct was headed to Broadway. She told me that she still planned on producing the work, but didn’t think she could direct. Bummer…but what can you do? I could only think of one person that would understand the piece, in its complexities and in its rhythm, and that was Des McAnuff.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. McAnuff on several occasions, and I always dug his energy. He was the one responsible for bringing my musical “The Seven” to the La Jolla Playhouse when he was the artistic director there. I didn’t know if he had the time to direct the play, due to the fact that he runs the biggest theatre in Canada, and frequently produces and directs on Broadway. But all you can do is ask right? And after reading the script and working out his schedule, I am happy to say that he has signed on to direct the world premiere of “Fetch Clay, Make Man.” Rehearsals begin in December for a January 8th opening. I’m excited to work with Des on this project. Read the announcement here.