Robeson Play Off-Broadway

Of all the imposing figures who have strutted across the American culture the past 100 years, none has been more invested with a superman mystique than Paul Robeson. He was born in Princeton, the son of a runaway slave. He entered Rutgers on an athletic scholarship and won a total of 12 letters, and also was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, he began to study law at Columbia. He would later turn to theatre and joined the cast of Eugene O’Neill’s "Emperor Jones."

Special To Black Star News

Woodie King, Jr.’s New Federal Theatre will present a new production of Phillip Hayes Dean’s play with music ” Paul Robeson” which traces Robeson’s long tumultuous and astonishing career. Kevin Maynor, one of the world’s leading bass singers re-enacts the powerful life of Paul Robeson and takes us from his childhood in New Jersey to his adult life around the world. Shauneille Perry will direct the production.

Of all the imposing figures who have strutted across the American culture the past 100 years, none has been more invested with a superman mystique than Paul Robeson. He was born in Princeton, the son of a runaway slave. He entered Rutgers on an athletic scholarship and won a total of 12 letters, and also was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, he began to study law at Columbia. He would later turn to theatre and joined the cast of Eugene O’Neill’s “Emperor Jones.” His rich singing voice, coupled with his strong interest in spirituals and international folk songs led him to concertize in recital, first in New York and later in Europe and England. 

Kevin Maynor is the first artist from the West to study at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. He was a Fulbright Award winner, recipient of the George London Award, as well as a Richard Tucker Grant winner. He has been praised for his charismatic stage presence as well as his superb voice, and has scored successes in over 40 operatic roles in five different languages with the finest opera companies in the world.

Performances will be on Thursday & Fridays at 7:30PM; Saturdays at 8PM, and Sundays at 3PM from Nov. 17th to December 11th at the Henry Street Settlement’s Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand St. Tickets are $15.00 at Ticket Central Box Office (212) 279-4200. For information call (212) 353-1176; Fax  – (212) 353-1088

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