THE H.A.D.L.E.Y. PLAYERS PRESENT TWO EXCITING UPCOMING EVENTS!: The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players are proud to present the final show of their 2011-2012 season, “This Way Forward” by Gertrude Jeannette, directed by Ward Nixon, with a stellar cast!
“This Way Forward” is a beautifully written drama that takes place on a large farm owned by a very proud, independent and close-knit Black family. While life is good for this family, one major issue threatens to divide and dismantle this family’s very existence. “This Way Forward” is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. Full of drama, wit, laughs and surprises, the play opens at the Harlem School of the Arts Theatre (647 St. Nicholas Ave. at West 142nd Street) in Harlem.
Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 or two for $30 (general admission), $15 (seniors, students or groups of five or more) and $8 (children under 12). Their dinner theater ($25 for everyone) will be held on Sunday, May 20, with a beautiful dinner served immediately after the show.
The next big event, the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players’ annual fundraiser, is the Giving Back Awards Dinner, honoring four great women of Harlem: Dr. Muriel Marjorie Petioni, Ruby Dee, Vy Higginsen and Jeannette. There will also be tributes to Dr. Dorothy Height, Mother Moore, Dr. Mary Beth Bethune and Sojourner Truth.
The event will be held on Sunday, June 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Harlem School of the Arts (main building), located at 645 St. Nicholas Ave. at West 141st Street in Harlem.
This will be an afternoon of good food, music and light entertainment, as we take this time to honor and give tribute to these great women, whose lives have impacted and touched us all. All proceeds will be used to keep the theater afloat. Without you, the theater truly could not survive.
Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a group table. Each table holds eight people. Seating is limited so please purchase your tickets in advance by calling (646) 323-0223 or (212) 368-9314 or mailing your check or money order to the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players, 204 W. 134th St., New York, NY 10030.
If you are unable to attend but would still like to show your support for this momentous event, you can do so by sending in a tax-deductible donation to the above address or by placing an ad or “Note of Congratulations” in their fundraiser journal. For further information on both of the above events and to make your reservations, please call (646) 323-0223 or email hadleyplyers@yahoo.com. According to the H.A.D.L.E.Y. players, “Your continued support is desperately needed. Thank you.”
GERTRUDE JEANNETTE ATTENDS THE 13TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY SPRING TOAST/ROAST: Gertrude Jeannette has returned from Los Angeles from the 13th annual GBC-Giving Back Corporation’s 13th annual Celebrity Spring Toast/Roast. She is just back in time to help Ward Nixon, CEO and artistic director; Karan Bridges, vice CEO and business manager; and Michele Wilson, board chairperson, who was traveling with Jeanette, to mount “This Way Forward,” a play written by Jeanette. The play opened at the Harlem School of the Arts on May 15.
Jeannette was previously honored, along with Brock Peters, with the Giving Back Award in 2005. This year, the honorees were Lynn Hamilton (“Sanford and Son”) and Lou Myers (“A Different World”), both of whom are long-time friends of Jeannette’s.
The audience was full of stars like Loretta Devine, Barbara Montgomery, Hal Williams, Woody King, Della Reese and Marla Gibbs. The program was hosted by Ken Sagoes, the founder of the Giving Back Corporation.
Here’s sending out sincere congratulations to the great Ms. Gertrude Jeannette.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful week ahead.