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Serenasailor
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1857
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 05:02 pm: | 
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Newest Hollywood inductee, Tyler Perry is reaping massive critical acclaim for his recent collection of films. His latest, "Why Did I Get Married?" was the top-grossing film on its opening weekend (October 12th, 2007). But Perry did not start behind the camera. His original work was at first found on the many small stages dotting America: the stage play. Tyler Perry is notorious for creating the character "Madea", who often pops up in his various plays with lots of wisdom and tons of wit. His adept portrayal of such a memorable character is what has led him to cinematic success with such films as "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" (starring Kimberly Elise) and "Madea's Family Reunion." Perry himself has been quoted, saying that he wished for his plays to be a "bridge" between traditional urban theatre, and mainstream cinema.
But Perry is not the only African American stage play director on the scene. In fact, the genre which made Perry so famous has actually been quite popular with black audiences for several years. But unlike companies who stage top-notch Broadway plays (those with Tony Award nods), the organizations staging black plays get little to no publicity. And when they do, it is often negative. There are reasons why traditional black "church" plays seem to get a bum rap. And those reasons often have nothing to do with skin color...
The Acting is Poor
In 2004, E. Lynn Harris, a popular gay African American author brought one of his best-sellers "Not a Day Goes By" to the stage as a play. Starring actors such as Jackee Harry and American Idol alum, Trenyce, theatres from Atlanta to Little Rock, Arkansas were packed with Harris fans. The show did fairly well in the black community. But ultimately, the stiff acting took away from the book's authentic quality.
This is often the case in many African American stage plays. It isn't so much that quality actors cannot be found. It's that acting from a theatrical perspective is something that many up-and-coming thespians have not yet mastered. As a result, the playwrighting skills are largely eclipsed by acting that is more intrusive than natural.
The Subject Matter is Hackneyed
Many plays written by African American playwrights take place in the churches and living rooms of their characters. While this in and of itself does not warrant a poor review, the fact remains that the subject matter is considered shallow by many stage play audiences. With titles like, "Beauty Shop", "His Woman/ His Wife", and "Love on Layaway" it is often difficult for people to take seriously the subject matter-when all the topics seemed centered around sex and infidelity. Though these topics are rampant in both mainstream Hollywood cinema and in traditional theatre, the stories are often much too shallow for critics to really delve into on an artistic level. Quite frankly, the narratives of these characters are viewed as nothing more than beauty salon gossip set to stage.
Plot Development is Weak
Stage directors and writers would love to have audiences believe that everything they see on stage is plotted and planned with the utmost precision. Truthfully, the topics that are covered in African American stage plays often seem to require very little "development." For instance, in many plays the highlights are punctuated by enthusiastic musical choir numbers and solos. The songs in these plays are arranged in such a way as to create a dynamic in the story. But many times, these placements are awkward and end up creating small divisions in the tale's continuity. Many audiences actually find the choral numbers more annoying than helpful to the play. Couple this with a storyline that is fairly one-dimensional, and all theatrical respect has just gone out the window.
Characters are too Stereotypical
Another thing that keeps African American stage plays from making more of an impact on the rest of society is their own perpetuation of traditional stereotypes. The Preacher, The Vixen, The Matriarch, and The Stud are all recurring characters who make appearances in so many different stage plays across America. In essence, these characters continue to preserve the myth that all black men are emotionally or physically "unavailable" and all black women are needy or conniving.
Even the plays that attempt to showcase a different side of the African American existence end up falling prey to the same stereotypes that have been ridiculed in previous years. For example, Tyler Perry's characters, "Sheila" and "Mike" are pivotal to the plot in his latest film, "Why Did I Get Married?". Sheila is an overweight wife with poor self-esteem. Mike is the tall, dark, handsome stud who persistently mistreats her emotionally and commits adultery right under her nose. In essence, these types characters have been seen before dozens of times. So any mystique the stories might have had is essentially lost by the time audiences get to their seats.
They Are Seen as Sleazy
It is no secret that African American sexuality is not one of America's favorite topics in Hollywood. Though it is difficult to escape sex and sexual themes in cinema and theatre, their portrayal in black stage plays is seen as vulgar, instead of invigorating. The artistic merit in many sexual situations in black stage plays is lost on many audiences because they are not accustomed to how African American men and women relate to each other in real life. Furthermore, black playwrights sometimes have a tendency to over-exaggerate intimate situations for the sake of attracting attention to their work. In short, the "gossipy" nature that accompanies many of the black stage plays is what keeps some audiences from taking them seriously.
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3116
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 09:58 pm: |
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And there ya have it........ |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6738
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 10:07 am: |
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You must never have heard of August Wilson |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6745
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 11:06 am: |
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http://aalbc.com/authors/august_wilson.htm
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Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 942
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 09:21 pm: |
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tyler perry is a straight up F*GGOT. he's amde alot of money sterotyping "black people", and dressing up like a friggin woman!!!!!!!!!!!!
tyler perry is a HOMOSEXUAL (in my opinion), who has based his "career" on defaming and making black people look foolish.
as far as why "black american" stage plays are not respected, well think for as second.
why hasn't denzel washington (one of the WORLDS biggest film stars) been cast in a mainstream "hollywood" love story?
because hollywood (and the world at large) doesn't view "black people" as really being human, or having a "humanity", that all other humans possess.
every other month, we have another "hollywood" love story featuring white actors. but why don't we see a flood (we really see none) of black "love stories" from hollywood?
and don't give me the b.s. that black people wouldn't go see the films if they were made.
bottom line is the reason that "black" stage plays aren't taken "seriously" is the same reason why certain black films aren't taken seriously.
our people are not viewed as having a legitimate humanity, that would engender people to take our plays (or films for that matter) seriously.
all this garbage will end when black americans have thier OWN HOMELAND, that we control.
until black americans have thier own land, currency, president, army, economy, police force, etc, we will never REALLY be free. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3122
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 04:50 am: |
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"until black americans have thier own land, currency, president, army, economy, police force, etc, we will never REALLY be free."
Well, if that's the correct criteria, I guess black Americans will never be free.....shrugs...... |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2253
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 08:49 am: |
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Well Well. Old racist ass "I loves and respects me some black people cuz I'm married to one and I has me some black kids" HA! Speaks from her heart once again. I ALWAYS knew what you were. Despite your fake ass claims to know more about the black experience and what we need better than black people do. Ya stupid arrogant witch! I recognize ya, honey and have since you donned this cellophane sock puppet. Lil Zee(bra) is the REAL YOU! Go ahead and deny it and I will post the threads where you forgot who you were posting as(like most posters who don dual board personas do sooner or later) and dropped the exact same bullshit as moonsigns ya silly dipshit. |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 180
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 09:56 am: |
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**You must never have heard of August Wilson**
The article was addressing the current scene, which pales in comparison to anything August Wilson ever did. Apples and oranges, imo.
Speaking of AW, his childhood home here in Pittsburgh is now a historic landmark, and his nephew plans to restore it. The African American Cultural Center here also honored him posthumously by renaming its the AW AACC. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 7123
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 01:25 pm: |
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Good post Serena, thanks! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3126
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 03:53 pm: |
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"Good post Serena, thanks!"
 ....................... |
Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 943
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 05:35 pm: |
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the funny thing about this is some people really still think im "mzuri", or some other poster trying to "fool" people by posting as lil ze.
how friggin STUPID are you people?
keep living in fantasy land, idiots!
a woman, you have got to be the dumbest, most foolish person ive ever come across.
and NTFS encryption, you maybe right about "black americans" never being free.
until what i spoke about happens we will NEVER be a free people.
every other ethnic group has a right ot a homeland.
why not the black americans? |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2254
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 09:05 pm: |
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Shut the f*ck up MoonZe! You're busted fool! You were always racist you dumb fu*ck! Your mistake was thinking everyone else is as clueless as you you fake ass bastard! Next week I'm going to post ALL of your dumbshit so those that didn't know you're dressing up in black face to spew your racist garbage WILL! You swill drinking pig! |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6751
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:13 am: |
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bottom line is the reason that "black" stage plays aren't taken "seriously" is the same reason why certain black films aren't taken seriously.
our people are not viewed as having a legitimate humanity, that would engender people to take our plays (or films for that matter) seriously.
(Y'all must ain't heard of August Wilson. Lorraine Hansberry. Amiri Baraka. Ed Bullins.) |
Serenasailor
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1858
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 04:23 pm: |
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Mzuri get yo Black drag queen azz outta here you idiot and stop trying to pretend to be some 20 year old hip-hop generation kid from NYC. Nobody is buying it Lil_flea.
Get a F*ing like you dumb bytch.1 |
Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 945
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:51 pm: |
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well serenasailor, im 32 years old from NYC. you ass.
a woman, you can post anything you want, it still won't change the fact that i am a poster who gets to the "heart of the matter", and doesn't care if you or anyone else is offended.
i llive in new rochelle new york. i went to mamaronech high school (class of 1993), i was born at roosevelt hospital september 13 1975.
my family lived on river side drive, and west 90th street.
my family (aunts, uncle, cousins etc) live off of merrick blvd in queens ny. my father bought a condo in harlem.
i any of you complete FOOLS think that im really "mzuri", and ive made up all these facts about my life, that you are dumber than you posts make you out to be.
im writing this post as i look out into the long island sound (my apt has a terrace that over looks the water).
why don't we deal with the issues at hand instead of trying to play this immature "game" , that gets nobody anywhere.
ps- serenasailor go F*CK your mother and your DEAD rotting grandmother as well.
F*GGOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 |
Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 946
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:54 pm: |
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that should be MAMARONECK high school. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12251
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 06:20 pm: |
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I have never thought Lil Z was Moonsigns. Lil-Z may be a fraud but I don't get why Moonsigns who is married to a black man and has biracial children would be motivated to take on this persona. |
Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 949
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 08:20 pm: |
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cynique after 946 Posts im a little surprised that you might think im a "fraud" as you say. what the HELL would i have to gain by posting over 945 times (many of them lengthy posts) as someone who i am not?
why the hell would i do that? whats the motivation?
"gee, im fooling people on some wbsite into thinking im some other poster when im really me".
"thats gonna be so much fun, pulling th wool over the eyes of people whom ive never met, nor will i EVER meet".
how foolish. again, what the hell would i have to gain by "playing" such a "game".
are some of you reall that stupid or immature. or your brains really can't "handle the fact that im here, and have an opinion.
some of you really need to get lives. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12257
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:07 pm: |
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Oh, stop getting your pants in a bunch, Lil-Z. I didn't say for sure that you were a fraud. I said you might be. A person not being who they say they are is always a possibility on the internet. |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2261
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 10:03 pm: |
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just like old times, eh lilmoonze? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12260
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 12:41 pm: |
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Come baaaack, Lil-Z. I believe you are who you claim to be. Nothing has given you away. IMO. |
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