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A Soldier’s Play
''A Soldier's Play'' is a play by American playwright Charles Fuller. Set on a US Army installation in the segregation-era South, the play is a loose adaptation of Herman Melville's novella ''Billy Budd'', and follows the murder investigation of the Sergeant in an all-black unit. The play uses a murder mystery to explore the complicated feelings of anger and resentment that some African Americans have toward one another, and the ways in which many black Americans have absorbed white racist attitudes. The drama won the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, among other accolades. It was the basis for a 1984 feature film adaptation, ''A Soldier's Story'', for which Fuller wrote the screenplay. Plot synopsis The story takes place at the United States Army's Fort Neal, Louisiana, in 1944 during the time when the military was racially segregated. In the opening scene, the audience witnesses the murder of black Sergeant Vernon Waters by an unseen shooter. Just before his death, Waters utter ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charles Fuller
Charles H. Fuller Jr. (March 5, 1939 – October 3, 2022) was an American playwright, best known for his play '' A Soldier's Play'', for which he received the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2020 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Early life Fuller was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 5, 1939, the son of Charles H. Fuller, Sr. and Lillian Anderson. Raised Roman Catholic, he attended Roman Catholic High School and then Villanova University (1956–1958), then joined the U.S. Army in 1959, serving in Japan and South Korea. He left the military in 1962, and later studied at La Salle University (1965–1967), earning a DFA. Furthermore, he co-founded the Afro-American Arts Theatre in Philadelphia. Career Fuller vowed to become a writer after noticing that his high school's library had no books by African-American authors. He achieved critical notice in 1969 with ''The Village: A Party'', a drama about racial tensions between a group of mixed-race couples. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is an American actor, producer, and director. Known for his dramatic roles Denzel Washington on screen and stage, on stage and screen, Washington has received List of awards and nominations received by Denzel Washington, numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2020, ''The New York Times'' named him the greatest actor of the 21st century. He has been honored with the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2016, AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019, the Honorary Palme d'Or in 2025, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025. After training at the American Conservatory Theater, Washington began his career in theater, acting in performances off-Broadway. He first came to prominence in the NBC medical drama series ''St. Elsewhere'' (1982–1988), and in the war film ''A Soldier's Story'' (1984). Washington won Academy Awards for Academy Award for Be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anthony Mackie
Anthony Dwane Mackie (born September 23, 1978) is an American actor. He gained wide recognition for portraying Sam Wilson / Falcon / Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with the film '' Captain America: The Winter Soldier'' (2014), and headlining the Disney+ miniseries '' The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' (2021) and its continuation film '' Captain America: Brave New World'' (2025). Mackie made his film debut in '' 8 Mile'' (2002), and earned critical recognition for his roles in '' Brother to Brother'' (2004), which garnered him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actor, and ''The Hurt Locker'' (2008), which earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the AAFCA Awards. He also played Tupac Shakur in ''Notorious (2009 film), Notorious'' (2009) and Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King Jr. in the HBO film ''All the Way (2016 film), All the Way'' (2016). On television, Mackie starred as Takeshi Kovacs in the second season of Net ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
James McDaniel
James McDaniel Jr. (born March 25, 1958) is an American stage, film and television actor. He is best known for playing Lt. Arthur Fancy on the television show ''NYPD Blue''. He played the role of Paul in the hit Lincoln Center play ''Six Degrees of Separation''. He played a police officer in the ill-fated 1990 series ''Cop Rock'', and a close advisor to the director Spike Lee regarding the activist Malcolm X in the 1992 film ''Malcolm X''. He also played Sgt. Jesse Longford in the ABC television series ''Detroit 1-8-7''. Early life James McDaniel Jr. was born in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 1958, the son of physician James McDaniel Sr. The junior McDaniel attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied veterinary medicine. After taking his final exams, he decided to move to New York and become an actor, despite having no prior acting experience. McDaniel enrolled in dance and voice lessons, and earned his first role in a Pepsi commercial. Career McDaniel began ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jo Bonney
Jo Bonney is an American theater director who has worked Off-Broadway, regionally and internationally, primarily focused on the development of new plays. Early life and education Bonney was born in Australia, the daughter of a Qantas airline pilot and a former-journalist. She attended Sydney University before transferring to Sydney College of the Arts (Grad. Fine Arts) and worked at The Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Marriage and Children Bonney married Eric Bogosian in 1980 with whom she has two sons, Harry and Travis Bogosian. Career Bonney moved to New York City in 1979. In the early 1980s, she co-directed two short films with Ruth Peyser, 'Another Great Day' (shown nationally on PBS) and 'Random Positions'. Bonney began her work in theater directing the solo work of her husband, Eric Bogosian. She cites The Public Theater founder, Joseph Papp as providing the support she needed to "define erselfas a director." She has directed the premiere productions of over th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Second Stage Theatre
Second Stage Theater is a non-profit theater company that presents work by living American writers both on and off Broadway. It is based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and is affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres. Founded in 1979 by Robyn Goodman and Carole Rothman, Second Stage produces both new plays and revivals of contemporary American plays by new playwrights and established writers. The company formerly had an off-Broadway theater, the Tony Kiser Theater at 305 West 43rd Street on the corner of Eighth Avenue near the Theater District, as well as an off-off-Broadway theater, the McGinn–Cazale Theater on the Upper West Side. In April 2015, the company expanded into Broadway theater productions when it bought the Helen Hayes Theater, at 240 West 44th Street in Manhattan. History Robyn Goodman and Carole Rothman founded Second Stage Theater in 1979 to produce “second stagings” of contemporary American plays, later expanding to new works as well. In ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Albert Hall (actor)
Albert W. Hall (born November 10, 1937) is an American retired actor. He portrayed Chief Phillips in the 1979 war film ''Apocalypse Now'' and Judge Seymore Walsh in ''Ally McBeal'' and ''The Practice''. He also played Brother Baines in the 1992 Spike Lee film ''Malcolm X (1992 film), Malcolm X''. His last screen role was a 2011 episode of the television series ''Men of a Certain Age''. Early life and education Hall was born and raised in Brighton, Alabama. He graduated from the Columbia University School of the Arts. Career Early work After portraying Pointer in ''Willie Dynamite'' (1974), Hall had a part in the 1976 biopic ''Leadbelly (film), Leadbelly''. He played a co-pilot in the 1978 film ''The Bermuda Triangle (film), The Bermuda Triangle''. Hall had a small role in the 1979 miniseries ''Roots: The Next Generations''. ''Apocalypse Now'' Hall gained mainstream attention for his role as Chief Phillips in Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 war classic ''Apocalypse Now'', in which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wood Harris
Sherwin David "Wood" Harris (born October 17, 1969) is an American actor. He first garnered attention for his role as Motaw in the Jeff Pollack film '' Above the Rim'' (1994), prior to portraying high school football player Julius Campbell in the Walt Disney Pictures film ''Remember the Titans'' (2000) and Jimi Hendrix in the Showtime television film ''Hendrix'' (2000). He attained further recognition for his portrayal of drug kingpin Avon Barksdale on the HBO crime drama ''The Wire'' (2002–2008). Harris also played the role of cocaine dealer Ace, based on the life of Azie Faison, in the crime film ''Paid in Full (2002 film), Paid in Full'' in 2002. On television, Harris is known for playing Avon Barksdale in ''The Wire'' and Brooke Payne on the BET miniseries ''The New Edition Story'' in 2017. In addition, Harris starred as Barry Fouray on the VH1 miniseries ''The Breaks (TV series), The Breaks'' (2016–2017), Damon Cross on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox series ''Empi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Obie Award
The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given since 1956 by ''The Village Voice'' newspaper to theater artists and groups involved in off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. Starting just after the 2014 ceremony, the American Theatre Wing became the joint presenter and administrative manager of the Obie Awards. The Obie Awards are considered off-Broadway's highest honor, similar to the Tony Awards for Broadway productions. Background The Obie Awards were initiated by critic Jerry Tallmer and Edwin (Ed) Fancher, publisher of ''The Village Voice,'' who handled the financing and business side of the project. They were first given in 1956 under the direction of Tallmer. Initially, only off-Broadway productions were eligible; in 1964, off-off-Broadway productions were made eligible. The first Obie Awards ceremony was held at Helen Gee's cafe.Aletti, Vince"Helen Gee 1919–2004" ''Village Voice'' (New York City), 12 October 2004, ac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New York Drama Critics' Circle
The New York Drama Critics' Circle is made up of 23 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization is best known for its annual awards for excellence in theater.Jones, KennethPassing Strange and August: Osage County Win 2007–08 NY Drama Critics Circle Award" playbill.com, May 12, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2018.Hetrick, Adam"NY Drama Critics' Circle Awards Matilda and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike With Top Honors"playbill.com, May 3, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2018. The organization was founded in 1935 at the Algonquin Hotel by a group that included Brooks Atkinson, Walter Winchell, and Robert Benchley. Adam Feldman of ''Time Out New York'' has been President of the organization since 2005; Zachary Stewart of TheaterMania is currently Vice President, and Helen Shaw of ''The New Yorker'' serves as Treasurer. Member affiliations *'' amNewYork'' *'' The Daily Beast'' *''Deadline Hollywood'' *''Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town newspapers, digital and national publications, and other media beyond Broadway. The awards were first presented during the 1949–50 theater season. History The Outer Critics Circle was founded as the Outer Circle during the Broadway season of 1949–50 by an assortment of theater critics led by John Gassner, a reviewer, essayist, dramaturg, and professor of theater. These critics were writing for academic publications, special interest journals, monthlies, quarterlies, and weekly publications outside the New York metro area, and were looking for a forum where they could discuss the theater in general, particularly the current New York season. The creation of the OCC was also a reaction to the New York Drama Critics Circle, which did not all ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charles Brown (actor)
Charles Brown (January 15, 1946 – January 8, 2004) was an American actor and a member of New York City, New York theater troupe the Negro Ensemble Company. He was best known for his performances in Off-Broadway and Broadway plays by Samm-Art Williams and August Wilson. Biography Charles Brown was born in Talladega, Alabama, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Mack Brown Sr. His siblings included brothers Mack Jr. and Ramon and sister Shirley. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, Brown studied theater at Howard University, in Washington, D.C. He performed with that city's D.C. Black Repertory Company, and elsewhere. Brown became a regular member of the Negro Ensemble Company, where his roles included Southern farmer Cephus Miles in Samm-Art Williams' ''Home'' (1979) and military investigator Captain Richard Davenport in 1944 Louisiana in Charles Fuller's ''A Soldier's Story'' (1981). ''Home'' moved to Broadway in 1980, earning Brown a Tony Award nominatio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
