On Thursday, Sept. 15, to a standing room only crowd at the Midtown Theater in Manhattan the theatrical production BOX had a magnanimous opening night.
The crowd was festive and the theatre full. BOX, is produced by Stuart Films, LLC and Browntown Entertainment, Inc. in conjunction with Michaela Productions, and Fabrice Armand, Inc.
Directed by Marishka Phillips and written by the award-winning playwright, Fred Shahadi, the cast of BOX cast with the following talented actors: Kevin Brown (Magnum) of the NBC Emmy award winning show, 30 Rock; Lawrence Saint-Victor (Edgard) formally of CBS’ Guiding Light, Ayinde Howell (Christophe), Rashad Edwards (Toussaint), and Brandon Alexander as Henry “Box” Brown.
The crowd was festive and waited with anticipation, the lights went dark, the music played and then opened with the men all doing push-ups. It was bright, crisp and clear and most hilarious. It was a most exuberating tale, at times serious that it would bring a tear to your eye and then at other times you could not help but laugh so hard at the characters and tales. Their plight was taken out of history and you were rooting for them to reach their final destination.
The characters were strong yet weak at times due to their predicament. This play does not only teach us some history but provides us with a bit of comedy relief. The actors did a marvelous job by keeping everyone interested in their struggles.
“We did not set out for it to be funny, it just happened and it worked” said Kevin Brown who plays Magnum.
“BOX,” explores the story of four Haitian men who stow away aboard an industrial ocean liner in 1988, seeking freedom by sealing themselves inside a large coffee container. It is a story of journey, survival, and the quest for the American Dream. The play highlights the similarities between their struggle and that of Henry “Box” Brown who was a former slave who mailed himself to freedom in 1848.
“BOX” will continue its commercial though Oct. 6. For more information, visit www.BoxThePlay.com
Tuesday – Thursday through Oct. 6, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday Matinees @ 2:30 p.m.
The Midtown Theatre
163 West 46th St.
New York, NY 10036
Btwn 6th & 7th Ave
