Transitions

NAACP Theatre Festival - TRANSITONS!

2010-09-21T12:13:00.000-07:00

Transitions was chosen by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Chapter to be showcase during the 2010 Theatre Festival!!!Check out the pictures below!

Playwright of Transitions: Kellie Roberts

Director Dwain A. Perry, Actress Amentha Dymally, Actress Kenyetta Lethridge,
Stage Manager Debora A. Morris, Actor Lamont Thompson, Actress Cydney Davis,
Actress Joyce Lee, and Actress/Playwright Kellie Roberts.

Artisitic Director Ben Guillory, Stage Manager Debora A. Morris, Actress Rosie Lee Hooks,
Actress Cydney Davis, Actress Kenyetta Lethridge, Actor Lamont Thompson, Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP 2010 Festival Director Karen Chappelle, Playwright/Actress Kellie Roberts, Director Dwain A. Perry, Actress Joyce Lee, and Actress Amentha Dymally.

Production Stills!

2010-07-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

Actresses Amentha Dymally & Rosie Lee Hooks

Set design by Victoria Bellocq and Lighting by Jonathan Acuna

Actresses Amentha Dymally & Rosie Lee Hooks

TRANSITIONS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

2010-07-01T16:00:00.002-07:00

(L to R) Actress Joyce Lee and Amentha Dymally; Actor Lamont Thompson; Director Dwain A. Perry; Actress Kenyetta Lethridge; Harry Lennix (Sound & Music) , Actress Rosie Lee Hooks; and Actress and Playwright Kellie Roberts.

Actress Kellie Roberts and Kenyetta Lethridge, along with a Robey supporter.

Robey Supporters with Actress Kellie Roberts and Amentha Dymally.

‘Transitions’ in Three Acts

2010-06-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

‘Transitions’ in Three Acts

BY DARLENE DONLOE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Transitions are a natural flow of life.

You’re born, you grow, you go to school, you graduate, you get a job, you get married, you get divorced, you have children, you get sick, you get well, you die.

Whether transitions are brought on by external or internal forces, they’re nevertheless essential for one’s growth and development.

What’s important is how a person chooses to either resist change or embrace it.

There’s a little of one and a lot of the other happening in Kellie Roberts’ comedy/drama, aptly named “Transitions,” a stage production presented in three one-acts, playing at the Los Angeles Theatre Center through June 27.

In the first act, Kani (Kenyetta Lethridge), has withdrawn from society after the death of her fiancé, a man whose melodic singing voice she swears to her sister, Hope (Joyce Lee), is still audible even though he’s been dead for two years.

Through frustration, coupled with patience, Hope tries to bring her sister back from the brink through familial reassurances, care and love. She tries to distract her with wedding plans for her forthcoming marriage. But Kani, who is only reminded about the wedding she never had, is too mentally broken to be genuinely interested in her sister’s impending nuptials.

On the surface, this piece could easily be dismissed. It could be looked upon as just a one-act about a woman losing her mind and hearing voices. But, it’s so much more than that.

Upon closer examination, it effectively speaks not only to Kani’s inability to move on after an overwhelming and traumatic occurrence, but to the importance of allowing herself to grieve, then let go and let a higher power source move her through the pain.

And since death is a part of life, this is a lesson learned that can benefit all of humanity.

Both Lee and Lethridge give fine performances with their easy, rapid-fire repartee.

The second act stars Rosie Lee Hooks and Amentha Dymally as two septuagenarian sisters, Harriet and Alberta, respectively, whose relationship has been strained for about 30 years following a dispute over a cherished heirloom.

Harriet, who lives in a small Louisiana town is having heart trouble. When her sister, Alberta, comes from Detroit to pay a surprise visit, the tension and animosity can be cut with a knife. Harriet has never forgiven Alberta for “stealing” their mother’s gold picture frame from her home. To hear Alberta tell it, although their mother “bequeathed” the frame to Harriet, it belongs to both of them. So, she took if for safe-keeping.

Once the play begins to develop, we find out that the frame is but the tip of the iceberg. There is something more personal at the core of the sisters’ row. Hooks and Dymally are brilliant in this story of misunderstanding, betrayal, hate, but, most of all, love.

Hooks is masterful in her physical and verbal timing. The opening sequence, which has her walking into the room and then walking back to answer the front door at a literal snail’s pace, shows her courage in letting the scene develop and unfold without fear of filling the emptiness with unnecessary bits of business. Her if-looks-could-kill glances, deliciously dripping with loathing, plus her spot-on delivery, lift this production.

Dymally, who is equally impressive, matches Hooks’ intensity and comedic timing. Their verbal-sparring is vivid and rings authentic.

The one-two punch of Hooks and Dymally is a knock-out.

Act three opens with Elaine (Kellie Roberts) waking her husband, Dan (Lamont Thompson), to share her decision to change careers and become a photographer known for taking pictures of black women’s vaginas.

It’s an idea her husband can’t wrap his head around. At 38, Elaine is the same age her mother was when she died. Feeling her mother never fulfilled her full potential, Elaine is determined not to suffer the same fate.

As Elaine spins it, since there are a number of doctors who have never examined a black vagina, a number of black women who have never seen their own southern regions and since most black vaginas are only seen in porno movies, hers is a noble and worthy cause to show the true beauty of a black woman’s sex organ in a new light — so to speak. She is convinced it’s her calling to undertake this controversial subject matter, since it’s been tugging at her heart.

Dan, on the other hand is concerned with Elaine’s scattered logic and worries that their family, including their son, will be held to public ridicule.

This is a flirty, sexual romp with witty writing and naughty undertones.

Roberts and Thompson manage to get through some of the tongue-and-cheek dialogue unscathed. The clear message in this act is to follow your heart and disregard the naysayers.

Kudos to writer Roberts and director Dwain A. Perry, who, even though his stage space was limited, successfully gave each character their own personalities, while providing each act with the richness and fullness they deserved.

While each one-act has comedic insertions, the dramatic undercurrent in “Transitions” speaks volumes.

Some people react to transitions by kickin’ and screamin’. Some take them in stride. Others become comfortable through self-discovery by accepting the notion that transitions begin because something has ended. It’s all about living in the moment.

“Transitions” stars Rosie Lee Hooks, Amentha Dymally, Joyce Lee, Kenyetta Lethridge, Lamont Thompson, Kellie Roberts, Earl Buffington and Cydney Davis.

“Transitions” is produced by the Robey Theatre Co. in association with LATC, is written by Kellie Roberts, and directed by Dwain A. Perry.

The Los Angeles Theatre Center is at 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles.

Showtime information: 8 p.m., Friday; 3 and 8 p.m., Saturday; 3 and 7 p.m., Sunday, through June 27; $20 to $30; (213) 489-0994, ext. 107, www.thelatc.org.

On the Donloe Scale, D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (OK) and E (excellent), “Transitions” gets an O (OK).

TODAY IS OPENING NIGHT! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

2010-06-18T14:47:00.001-07:00

www.robeytheatrecompany.org

Rehearsal Shots! Opening Night is almost here!

2010-06-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

Actresses Amentha Dymally & Rosie Lee Hooks
recieving direction from Director Dwain A. Perry

The Production Crew!

Interview with ESPN 710

2010-06-14T11:36:00.002-07:00

Kellie Roberts, Playwright, "Transitions" and Ben Guillory, Producing Artistic Director.

Robey Theatre Company Robey's mission is, through the creative process, to explore and develop relevant provocative, and innovative new plays written about the Black experience, as well as to reinterpret established works. Robey creates a nourishing environment of understanding and support in which multi-cultural theatre artists are compelled to take risks in the search for artistic fulfillment. It provides time, educational opportunities, and encouragement for such growth and contributes to high standards of excellence in the Black theatre in America.“Transitions.” World Premiere engagement of a new show. Written by Kellie Roberts. Directed by Dwain A. Perry. Produced by Ben Guillory for Robey Theatre Company in association with Los Angeles Theatre Center. Los Angeles Theatre Center, in the intimate Theatre 4, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Previews Thursday, June 17 at 8 p.m. Opens Friday, June 18, 2010 at 8 p.m. Regular show times Fri. at 8, Sat. at 3 and 8, Sun. at 3 and 7. Closes Sunday, June 27. ADMISSION: $30. Students $20. RESERVATIONS: (213) 489-0994 ext. 107. ONLINE TICKETING: http://www.thelatc.org/

Kellie Roberts is a versatile talent who is not only an actress but a writer and ballroom dancer as well. Last year Kellie performed in the Robey Theatre Company’s West Coast Premiere of “A House With No Walls,” in the role of Cadence Lane. As a member of the Robey Theatre Company’s Playwrights Lab, Kellie has written a series of one-acts.

Ben Guillory is a revered veteran African-American actor and theatre producer and director of both the stage and screen. Raised in San Francisco, California, Guillory co-founded the Robey Theatre Company in honor of pioneering actor, public speaker, and opera singer 'Paul Robeson' with actor Danny Glover (of Lethal Weapon (1987) fame in Los Angeles in 1974, and serves as its artistic director. He received an Ovation Award nomination for Featured Actor in a Play in 2008, for his performance as Wining Boy in "The Piano Lesson" produced at The Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles.A highly sought-after supporting actor on the large and small screen, he has appeared in such films as the Oscar-Winning film The Color Purple (1985), and the biographical TV film The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) (TV). His television credits include guest spots on television shows such as "Dynasty" (1981), "The Jeffersons" (1975), "JAG" (1995), and numerous other programs. Guillory is slated to appear in the film The Harimaya Bridge (2009), which is post-production as of May 2009.For more information: http://www.robeytheatrecompany.com/

Source: Posted By LaFern Cusack to LaFern Cusack at 6/13/2010 12:08:00 AM

Come See TRANSITIONS Opening June 18th!!!

2010-06-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

The story is not in the plot but in the telling.
Ursula K. LeGuin

Hear about Transitions on 710 ESPN AM Radio and Listen for Free Tickets!!!

2010-06-07T12:13:00.001-07:00

The Southern California Experience with LaFern Cusack, is the 710 ESPN AM public affairs show. Airing Sunday mornings, from 5-6am, The Experience strives to present topical guests and stories in an entertaining and comfortable format. This Sunday hear an interview with Artistic Director Ben Guillory and play write Kellie Roberts talk about their new upcoming production Transitions. Listen Now to hear about free tickets!!

Follow the link below to hear the interview online!

http://www.laferncusack.com/audio/ESPNLosAngeles_Robey061310.mp3

Transitions by Kellie Roberts Opening June 18 !!!

2010-06-04T14:41:00.001-07:00

TRANSITIONS
TRANSITIONS is a trilogy of one-act plays that features intense and colorful women who find themselves and their loved ones at the crossroads of life. As these individuals attempt to navigate through the vicissitudes of the crossroads, Spirit uses the medium of sound, sometimes unbeknownst to them, to prompt and support their life changes. Will these women hear the call from God and take heed, or not?

THE VOICE OF HOPE
Grief stricken and lyrically silenced, Kani, an agoraphobic gospel singer tries to maintain a relationship with her decease fiancé who serenades her from the netherworld. Can Hope help her recover what has been lost before Kani’s grip on reality totally slips away?

THE PICTURE FRAME
A humorous portrayal of two cantankerous elderly sisters, who find themselves suddenly thrown together after years of not speaking to each other because of a dispute over the whereabouts of a missing picture frame. As the sisters begrudgingly wade through murky memories, opportunities to forgive each other for past transgressions are revealed. What is then discovered is the ultimate cost when some wounds are just too deep to heal.

WHY ELAINE MILLER BECAME A PHOTOGRAPHER
7am on a Saturday morning, suburban housewife Elaine Miller gets a call. It’s God, calling Elaine to become a photographer. The problem is, Spirit seems to be asking her to take some rather controversial pictures. Laden with self doubt and faced with opposition from her husband, Dan, Elaine must find the strength and faith to pursue this rather bizarre call from God.