LOS ANGELES—It was all about Linda Hopkins, Savion Glover, Debbie Allen, Dawn Lewis, Lorretta Devine, Lacy Phillips, Jenifer Lewis and so many other performers who have graced the Broadway stage as well as the cameras of Hollywood. The African American Museum of Los Angeles rocked with the musical sound of a hundred voices of Broadway singers and actors who gathered to pay tribute to all the brilliant, talented Afro American entertainers who came before them.
Debbie Allen.
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I found myself quietly reminiscing about my time spent with legendary actress Ethel Waters who starred not only on Broadway but in numerous films as well. When she asked if I would be interested in appearing with her in a revival production of her award winning play “Member of the Wedding,” I was thrilled. As an actor, it resulted in being a master-class in acting as well as a precursor for artistic survival. Working with this great lady is one experience that I will never forget. It turned out being stormy on-and-off stage, with the great lady, who displayed how she could hurl a chair at you during a scene. In retrospect, it was terrifying, stormy and yes, dramatically exciting!
In the '50s, any credible musical or play offered to artists of color was always something to take very seriously. I could not but wish that Ms. Waters could have been at the museum tribute to enjoy all the new talent and faces who have won tremendous favor since her time. As a sidebar, my dear old friend would have gotten a kick out of watching all the would-be divas making their entrance to the affair. However, I must acknowledge that the older actors who are quite aware of the realities involved with sudden public recognition, contained themselves with tremendous dignity and professionalism. Yes, being among this beautiful group of entertainers was fun and rather special.
Chapman Roberts (who produced the affair) is also a veteran of Broadway shows, and noted that he was prompted to create this kind of acknowledgment for theater people of color because nothing has been done, historically, to make the public aware of their existence or what they created artistically. “We produced the same kind of gathering in New York,” Roberts noted, “and it was fantastic. Actors, singers, dancers, all of them showed up and it was one helluva party of theater gypsies. Now it seems that Los Angeles is experiencing the same effect. It’s wonderful!” When speaking with him about the gathering, we had an opportunity to share our respective experiences with the likes of Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Carmen DeLavallade, Josephine Premise, Eartha Kitt, Melba Moore, Diana Sands, Geoffrey Holder, Vivian Reed and so many other performers of the theater and film. We found ourselves struggling to fight back tears when delving so deeply into our, respective, personal journey with so many of the theatrical legends.
Christopher Cavalier represented Sub Zero Motion Films, covering the Broadway celebration. His quiet and unassuming demeanor behind the camera makes it so easy to help him reach his film objectives. Carmen Jesus, the noted East Coast photographer, is one of the insightful, powerful artists who is able to view far beyond the surface of everything or object she shoots.
It was quite an occasion holding hands with all my Broadway sisters and brothers who have shared and still do, the special feeling that only a Broadway baby can. And I thank Ethel Waters ("Member of the Wedding"), Shirley Booth ("The Desk Set") and David Wayne ("Finian’s Rainbow") for making it happen for me.
