Will Power Interviewed at Princeton Public Library

Will Power: The Plot of Fetch Clay, Make Man

Sonequa Martin, Ben Vereen and Evan Parke in Fetch Clay, Make Man

Fetch Clay, Make Man Review: The Star-Ledger

Enjoy!

Will Power

Fetch Clay, Make Man review: Philadelphia Inquirer

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

VIEW TRAILER HERE

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 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~!

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