Due to the high volume of requests, on Thursday, February 21, 2008, the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, Community Works in association with New Heritage Theatre Group will once again present “Malcolm, Martin, Medgar� at The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center
[Theater News]
On Tuesday, January 15, 2008, in honor of the official birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Works, in association with New Heritage Theatre Group, presented a staged-reading of “MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” to more than six hundred youth and community members at the historic Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center.
The Education Center is on the site of the famous Audubon Ballroom where in 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated. Written by noted journalist, author and activist A. Peter Bailey and directed by Broadway actor and director, James Stovall, the reading featured Jonathan Peck as Malcolm X, Michael Green as Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin Westbrooks as Medgar Evers, Sherry Bronfman as the narrator and LeeAnet Noble of “Drum Struck” on Drums. The performance was followed by a post-show discussion led by A. Peter Bailey.
“MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” is Mr. Bailey’s first play. The story centers on Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers, three assassinated icons of the civil rights movement, and their reunion in the after-life to discuss current events in our day, including the war in Iraq and hurricane Katrina. Mr. Bailey spins a tale of speculation with aplomb and breathtaking insight, a feat that can only be accomplished by one who witnessed firsthand the thoughts and ideas of men who lived and died for the struggle of Black people during the 1960’s.
Bailey, a close associate of Malcolm X during the last fourteen months of his life, witnessed what some would call Malcolm X’s most transformative period, starting with his split from the Nation of Islam and his pilgrimage to Mecca, to the formation of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).
A. Peter Bailey, a native of Columbus, Georgia, is a founding member of OAAU. During his tenure, he was the editor of the organization’s newsletter. Also, he was the former Associate Editor of Ebony Magazine, and is currently the editor of VITAL ISSUES: The Journal of African American Speeches and the co-author of Seventh Child: A Family Memoir of Malcolm X. Mr. Bailey is currently on the faculty of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington D.C.
Due to the high volume of requests, on Thursday, February 21, 2008, the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, Community Works in association with New Heritage Theatre Group will once again present “Malcolm, Martin, Medgar” at The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center. On hand for this special event will be the children of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz. Admission is free of charge. Seats can be reserved by contacting Community Works at 212-459-1854.
“MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” is part of Community Works’ award-winning multicultural and intergenerational Theater Connections calendar of events offered at sites citywide. This programming annually serves over 200,000 public school students and community members throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
Community Works is a leading arts-education organization founded in 1990, with the mission to build bridges between diverse cultures and neighborhoods by using the arts as a tool for social and personal change, and sharing community stories that connect us all. The organization currently serves over 300,000 people throughout NYC each year through acclaimed performances, workshops and exhibitions.
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