Despite controversy “Scottsboro Boys” the Broadway, musical named for young, Black, men in the south during a dark, historical period in American history received top nods and acknowledgement with a dozen chances to win as many Tony awards on June 12.
The hysterically historic and serious musical adaptation of the tragic, story of discrimination during Jim Crow rule will contend for best of the best theatrical presentation. If a category for most controversial and historical was already in place “Scottsboro Boys” would already be declared the frontrunner for the Beacon Theater award ceremony.
Real life series of events recount the injustices suffered by Black men who lived in Alabama and became known as the Scottsboro Brothers after a white woman framed them by charging they raped her. How such a tragic story could be celebrated in song and dance to receive critical acclaim may be attributed to the direction of Susan Stroman.
She executed some of the most poignant details to stage scenes that placed audiences in the midst of red-neck America.
A few scenes allegedly irked segments of the Black community however, for all the buffoonery inserted, the musical could have been regarded an equal opportunity offender. Also spoofed in skits, Jews, whites, ‘crackers’ and southerner were unceremoniously mimicked to punctuate an era of indiscriminate racism and inappropriate social references.
Prior to opening on the Great White Way dissenters considered the topic a not-ready-for-prime-time musical production. But critics offered even-handed reviews and theater lovers expressed enlightenment to the horrific racism that kept the innocent youths confined to prison. Despite acclaim last fall the musical closed.
Protests did not stop the production. It was projections of low audience attraction that forced the limited run.
Topping the list of 2011 nominations is “The Book of Mormon” with 14.
Also taking bows for theater’s highest accomplishments are “The Motherf***er with the Hat,” “Sister Act,” “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” and “Driving Miss Daisy.”
James Earl Jones, Jim Belushi and Chris Rock were overlooked in the best performance in a lead role category. Also missing from the nomination’s list is the much-hyped “Baby It’s You,” a musical about the emergence of legendary singing group The Shirelle’s.
Obama’s May Day: Osama’s D-Day
Barack Hussein Obama claimed May Day and may have sured-up his second term bid for the U.S. presidency by announcing the death of America’s public enemy number one – Osama Bin Laden.
“Justice has been done…today at my direction…the U.S. conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, leader of Al Qaeda,” the commander-in-chief told the nation on May 1.
The late-breaking news interrupted a baseball game between the Phillies and the N.Y. Mets, which had gone into over-time play and the 14th innings when thousands in the stands erupted in cheers shouting “USA!USA!”
Most of the players on both teams were confused by the spontaneous outbursts which apparently were delivered by smart phones and social network technology.
The news also caused television viewers of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” to pause with anticipation of the “you’re fired!” climax to the weekly, reality show, which eliminates one of the contestants.
The president’s message to the nation was first delivered by news pundits who speculated whether the commander in chief would report a capture or the death of the most-sought-after terrorist on the nation’s most wanted list.
By the time the president delivered his urgent message, crowds had gathered in front of the White House, at Ground Zero and to a lesser extent in Times Square.
Lingering until dawn at the various landmarks thousands sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and repeated the “USA USA” chant which has become a mantra during celebrations.
President Obama did not entertain questions from the press after stating that America suffered no casualties when helicopters swooped down on a Pakistani compound to kill the leader of Al Qaeda.
He extended condolences to families grieving the September 11, 2001 attack which claimed 3,000 lives in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and New York City.
That Pres. Obama trumped the businessman who questioned his birthright and toyed with rivaling his position in the White House seemed an ironic twist of fate some have noted. Although Trump’s television show did not resume broadcast that evening, it was reported that the axe fell on Hope Dworacyck, a Playboy playmate.
Catch You On The Inside!
