Just when I had convinced myself Claire Huxtable was a fictional character -which explained her perfection so I was in the clear of having to meet the incredibly high standards she had set for women everywhere- I caught wind of Phylicia Rashad adding “director” to her long list of accomplishments. Ugh! Disgusting, right? She’s better than you whether she’s herself or playing someone else. What? You didn’t know she directed?! Yes, Honey! The Tony Award winning actress is directing the stage! Since 2003, she has directed a total of five plays including: August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean”, “Fences”, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”, Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”, and Paul Oakley Stovall’s “Immediate Family”. This is her second go ‘round with Stovall’s comedy “Immediate Family” which opened May 3 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and runs through June 7. Their first run was three years ago in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre.
“In the Bryant Family’s Hyde Park home, prodigal son Jessie shows up for a family wedding with his Swedish “friend”, who is actually his boyfriend, turning the family reunion into a family showdown. Evy can’t understand why her younger brothers are so mysterious and distant; Jessie is afraid to be true to himself and honest with his family; and no one can understand why Tony is so eager to get married. “Modern Family” meets “Soul Food” as these siblings try to bridge their differences with a little help from God, card games and their “Immediate Family”. (immediatefamilyplay.com)
the cast includes Kamal Angelo Bolden, J. Nicole Brooks, Bryan Terrell Clark, Shanésia Davis, Mark Jude Sullivan, Cynda Williams.
We at Broadway Black encourage you to go out and enjoy all 90 minutes of this very real and hilarious play! You won’t regret it!
Tickets for Immediate Family can be purchased by calling 213.628.2772 or by visiting centertheatregroup.org. Tickets range from $25-$85. The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, Ca.
Meet the Bryants Below!
