A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

I am in Chicago now and can't believe my Itika is nowhere to be found. Well, not exactly nowhere to be found. She's just not here. With that, my social calendar is solely falling on our Chicago Carl's shoulders (with a little help and lots of LOVE from my friends Jakki and Lesia... and a new "girlfriend" named Angelica [READ ON]).

Last night, after my work, Carl and I went to the Kit Kat Lounge (http://www.kitkatchicago.com/) in Boy's Town. While we dined and had a cocktail or two, camp classic bio-pic about Joan Crawford, "Mommie Dearest", played on the big screens. Inspired by the bold diva-ness of it all, Carl and I called our good girlfriend Lesia, who threw on her stilletos to join us while we enjoyed the entertainment of one MISS ANGELICA ANGEL ROSS, a drag queen (but you wouldn't know it...). I am not the biggest fan of drag queens, though I respect the medium of entertainment (and have grown to receive it as such). But let me tell you MISS ANGELICA is single-handedly responsible for my elevated appreciation for the craft. She was such an entertainer. Such a performer. Such an artist. Her first performance was as Deena Jones (I was EFFIE. SMILE!). She did "Dreamgirls". Then, she changed and did a brilliant rendition (lip-sync) of a woman doing Stevie Wonder (but in a wig just like Diana's "Mahogany" wig in the cream jersey dress, after she sells her first 'kabuki'-inspired design to Christian. That alone had me sold). But she had more performing to do. There was Gwen Stefani (in blonde, stylized wig to boot). There was Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" followed by a within-the-last-decade version of Whitney doing "I Will Always Love You" live (coupled with a schtick in which "Whitney" goes backstage for a bump of cocaine to come back to stage newly energized and dramatic for the song's touch-and-go finish). Then, channeling her Toni Braxton, she did "Breathe" (from 'Libra", the current album) and "Spanish Guitar" in a one-piece bathing suit. Each gesture, pronunciation, and movement? FLAWLESS! I did some research and uncovered that Angelica is no stranger to the entertainment Industry (http://www.myspace.com/angelicaross). 

According to the Kit Kat website: "... she has been stunning crowds with her illusions of female impersonations for six years, perfecting characters such as Brandy, Toni Braxton, and Whitney Houston, as well as her showstopping broadway numbers.  Angelica has been in musical theatre for more than 11yrs, playing lead roles in Fame, West Side Story, Grease, The Life, Anything Goes, Guys & Dolls, The Wiz. and many many more.  Angelica has also done many commercials, high fashion runway shows, and modeling in various print ads.  Ms. Ross' lastest accomplishments include a principal role in the Italian Box Office Hit "Natale a Miami" (Christmas in Miami), an appearance on "Ham on the Street" on the food network, an appearance on UPN's "South Beach", and being the Diva she is on the reality show "Instant Beauty Pageant" scheduled to air in late June on the Style Network.  Angelica is also pursuing her bachelor's degree in Theatre at Columbia College Chicago with an emphasis in acting.... " YOU GO, GIRL! (or BOY!) or GIRL! or whatever... you are FABULOUS!!!!!!

She was so FABULOUS, Carl, Lesia, and I met up with Jakki this morning at YOLK for brunch and we're still talking about it. (www.thatsdlicious.com)

Likely, when we all regather tonight for dinner (LOCATION TBD), we'll continue to sing ANGELICA's praises. TI-TI WHO? (Just kidding! Hurray back though. ANGELICA is coming in for the kill). SMILE!

To most, they met Donnie via his his critically-acclaimed CD, “The Colored Section”, released independently in 2002 (and then on Motown in 2003). 

But I met him at the turn of the century via our mutual friend (and his once-manager) Anasa, also my Spelman sister, who I met in Atlanta through a friend Reinaldo. On the night we met in New York City, after India.Arie performed a set in the Village (before her Motown debut was released). Donnie and I hit it off instantly and walked through the streets - singing selections from "Dreamgirls" at the top of our lungs. Clearly, he thrives when using the top of his. I went hoarse. But we had such a great time and everything he would do in New York City, Atlanta, or anywhere USA when I was in town, I always make it a point to speak and he always receives me warmly and with enthusiasm for that moment we shared.

Last year, he performed for the National Association of Black Journalists (www.nabj.org)  in Indianapolis, Indiana. And though he is delivering his sophomore release "The Daily News” (SoulThought Records) this week, we got a preview of it in August 2006. And as always, he was ENERGY beyond ENERGY! His voice is likened to Stevie Wonder and Donnie Hathaway, but there are some titanium forces at work as well. It's smoky. It's clear. It's soulful. It's gospel. It's chockful of contradictions as the man himself (and any artist).

Around the time I last saw Donnie, I found out my man Anthony loves his music too. Just last week, he was MY-SPACE-ing about and pointed out that Donnie is soon to come to town. We'll go check him out. Also, Donnie is poised to hit the road on a pre-release CD tour in August delivering “The Daily News” to Atlanta, Washington, DC, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York.  For more, visit: www.myspace.com/donniemusic

When my friend Kevin-Anthony asked if I would write the script for his 3rd annual "Black 2: Broadway" Tony Awards viewing party (held at B.B. King's Lucille Room), I immediately jumped on it because - like the previous years - I knew that I would be a part of history as the words about the honorees would be mine... and what a way to have my words show up but through the inspiration of people like Tony-award-winning choreographer George Faison. The words seem to move the audience, so I will share here.

On this past Sunday, Anthony and I had to do a costume change from our New Rochelle appointment to our more formal evening appointment in Times Square, but we know how to shift quickly.

DIVA OF ALL DIVAS Jenifer Lewis hosted alongside popular MTV personality Sway Calloway.

My words introduced her as follows:

OUR DIVA CO-HOST TONIGHT HAS BROUGHT US SO MUCH JOY VIA THE SPECTRUM OF FILM, TELEVISION, AND STAGE, HER ACTUAL “RESUME” WOULD HAVE US HERE ALL NIGHT… IF WE WERE TO READ IT.

BUT TO TOUCH ON SOME KEY POINTS:

• SHE IS A ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI NATIVE.
• YOUNGEST OF SEVEN CHILDREN
• AFTER GRADUATING FROM WEBSTER COLLEGE, SHE PACKED HER BAGS FOR "THE BIG APPLE" (NEW YORK CITY… ) AND HAS BEEN BITING EVER SINCE!

GETTING HER START IN CONSECUTIVE HIT BROADWAY MUSICALS INCLUDING “EUBIE”, “COMIN’ UPTOWN”, AND “DREAMGIRLS”, SHE SET HER CAREER IN MOTION.

BUT THEN, SHE TOOK HER ACT ON THE ROAD – TOURING WITH “THE DIVINE MISS BETTE MIDLER” AS AN INFAMOUS “HARLOTTE”.

NO SHOCK: HOLLYWOOD THEN CAME A CALLING AND HAVE YET TO LET HER GO. FROM PLAYING TINA TURNER’S MOTHER IN “WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT” TO WHITNEY’S MAMA IN “THE PREACHER’S WIFE”, WE HAVE SEEN HER STEAL SCENES --- FILM AFTER FILM: ABOUT 45 OF THEM TO BE EXACT.

AND HER BEAUTY AND TALENT HAVE GRACED A NEAR ONE-HUNDRED TV DRAMAS AND SITCOMS – INCLUDING AN AWESOMELY GENIUS, RECURRING TURN AS “TONI’S MOM” IN “GIRLFRIENDS”.

BUT WE’D BE REMISS IF WE DIDN’T REFERENCE HER TOUR DE FORCE IN A CABLE MOVIE THAT HAS BECOME BELOVED BY THE BROADWAY BABIES AND “THE KIDS” AROUND THE WAY. IT’S “JACKIE’S BACK” IN WHICH SHE PORTRAYED “JACKIE WASHINGTON” THAT WILL ALWAYS PLACE A SMILE ON OUR FACES.

TRUTH BE TOLD, ALL SHE NEED BE IS HERSELF… AND THAT’S WHO WE’VE GOT TONIGHT. LADIES & GENTLEMEN, MISS JENNIFER LEWIS!!!!!

And I shouted Sway out like this:

AND YET, WITH GRACE, EDGE, AND INTELLECT… HE REPRESENTS… AND WELL!

FROM THE RED CARPETS OF MTV’S VARIOUS AWARDS SHOWS TO AWARD-WINNING SPECIALS THAT DECONSTRUCT THE GOOD, BAD, AND UGLY OF HIP-HOP, SWAY IS ON THE PULSE OF WHAT’S GOING ON IN ENTERTAINMENT AND – IN PARTICULAR – WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH OUR YOUNG FOLKS.

AND TO HAVE HIM EXTENDING HIS TALENTS TO “BROADWAY” TONIGHT PLEASES US IMMENSELY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE GIVE A BIG BROADWAY OVATION TO:

SWAY!!!!

Kevin-Anthony, who founded BLACK 2: BROADWAY with Sean Hollingsworth, performed a beautiful "If You Believe" (from "The Wiz") for the masses ( www.b2productions.xbuild.com/ ) as artist Jeremiah (http://www.jeremiahonline.com/) performed "What Would I Do If I Could Feel" (the Tin Man's song from "The Wiz"). Miss Lewis got a little help from a friend, Tony-award winning Adrienne Lenox (who co-starred opposite Diana Ross in "Double Platinum") on a brilliantly campy and touching rendition of "Home". This, because the evening saluted the legendary Broadway production of 'The Wiz'. This is how I shouted that moment out in words:

WELL, IF YOU’RE OVER A CERTAIN AGE… AND IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SO OLD. IT COULD BE 35…. MAYBE 30 YEARS OLD…. YOU KNOW THAT BEFORE THERE WAS A MOVIE CALLED “THE WIZ”, THERE WAS A BROADWAY MUSICAL THAT TURNED “BROADWAY” OUT.

ONCE THIS ADAPTATION OF L. FRANK BAUM’S “THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ” CAME TO LIFE, BROADWAY WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME.

IT FEATURED EXCLUSIVELY: AFRICAN AMERICAN ACTORS. PERHAPS NOTHING NEW.

BUT “THE WIZ” WAS A BREAKTHROUGH UNDER THE AMBITIOUS AND NO-HOLDS-BARRED VISION OF ITS DIRECTOR, THE GREAT GEOFFREY HOLDER. WE’RE TALKING LARGE-SCALE AND BIG-BUDGET, WHICH LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HITS TO COME, LIKE “SOPHISTICATED LADIES” AND “DREAMGIRLS”.

“THE WIZ” OPENED IN JANUARY 1975 AT THE MAJESTIC THEATER TO RAVE REVIEWS. IT LATER MOVED TO THE BROADWAY THEATRE. IT RAN FOR FOUR YEARS AND OVER 16-HUNDRED PERFORMANCES.

“THE WIZ” WON SEVEN TONY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL.

AND SOME OF THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO WERE “EASING ON DOWN THE ROAD” INCLUDE: STEPHANIE MILLS AT THE HELM AS DOROTHY…. HINTON BATTLE AS THE SCARECROW…. AND TIGER HAYNES AS THE TIN MAN…

HERE TONIGHT… 32 YEARS LATER… WE CELEBRATE --- FOR ALL OF THE JOY ITS BROUGHT SO MANY GIRLS AND BOYS; MEN AND WOMEN; GAY AND STRAIGHT ---- “THE WIZ”.

AND TONIGHT, TO ACCEPT:

“THE WIZ” HIMSELF… ANDRE DESHIELDS!!!

“ABERLENE”…. CLARICE TAYLOR!!!!

“THE TINMAN”…. HOWARD PORTER

ONE OF THE “TORNADO DANCERS”…. ARLENE ROLANDT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CAST OF “THE WIZ”!!!!!!

Andre Deshields reprised "If You Believe" as he and members of the original cast basked in their ovations, including Ben Harney Jr. who was one of the original Scarecrows (and who originated the role of "Curtis" in "Dreamgirls"). Last year, Harney got the chance to be honored with some of his original cast-mates of "Dreamgirls" including Jennifer Holliday. Holliday also hosted that 2006 affair that had so many of us waiting with baited breath to see what "The Color Purple" would do. (Meanwhile, we enjoyed Miss Holliday's stirring rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" one more glorious time). In the end, it only took home one trophy and my friend LaChanze received it. I got to celebrate with her afterwards last year.

Back to this year, George Faison was honored twice. As a part of this group, he was celebrated. But he also received the Legend Award. My script honors him as follows:

HE’S THE FIRST BLACK TO WIN THE TONY AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF CHOREOGRAPHY.

THE YEAR WAS 1975.

THE SHOW? “THE WIZ”.

THAT DISTINCTION ALONE MAKES HIM “LEGENDARY” AND AN “ICON”, BUT HE CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON ONE OF THE MOST SPARKLING CAREERS ANYONE HAS EVER SEEN.

THIS LANDMARK MOMENT PUNCTUATED AN ALREADY-SUCCESSFUL DANCING CAREER IN HIT SHOWS LIKE “PURLIE” AND “SINNER MAN”.

AS CHOREOGRAPHER, HE CONTINUED TO OUT-DO HIMSELF WITH BROADWAY WORKS LIKE 1983’S “PORGY AND BESS” FOR WHICH HE WAS ALSO NOMINATED…

BUT HE TOO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHOREOGRAPHY THAT MANY OF OUR R&B GREATS TOOK ON THE ROAD – INCLUDING MOST NOTABLY THE BIG PRODUCTIONS OF “EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE”.

THEN, THERE WAS THE EMMY NOD FOR HIS BRILLIANT WORK WITH LYNN WHITFIELD IN “THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY”.

ON AND ON, WE COULD GO WITH EXAMPLES OF HIS GREATNESS…. AND ON AND ON, HE GOES TO DELIVER EVIDENCE OF IT.

HE’S CURRENTLY GOT “IF THIS HAT COULD TALK” ON THE ROAD. IT’S A ROUSING MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO CIVIL RIGHTS ICON DOROTHY HEIGHT. AND IT’S RECEIVING RAVES ALL OVER THE NATION. AND IF THAT WEREN’T ENOUGH, HE WAS FEATURED ON BET’S REALITY SHOW, “ONE NIGHT ONLY” – ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS HIGH-SCHOOLERS WHO STAGED “DREAMGIRLS” JUST AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA HIT.

ALSO, HE’S CURRENTLY WORKSHOPPING --- AS WRITER AND DIRECTOR --- E. LYNN HARRIS’ “INVISIBLE LIFE”, WHICH HAS BEEN ADAPTED INTO A STAGE MUSICAL FEATURING ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM ASHFORD & SIMPSON.

HE NEVER STOPS… AND KEEPS POSING THE QUESTION: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”… SIMPLY BECAUSE HE KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING.

THAT’S WHY OUR “BLACK 2: BROADWAY” LIVING LEGEND IS NONE OTHER THAN: GEORGE FAISON!!!

And Freddie Jackson came to the stage to perform a flawless "You Are My Lady" for Broadway icon Irene Gandy, who I honored as follows:

OUR VANGUARD AWARD RECIPIENT TOO IS AN ICON IN THE BUSINESS OF “BROADWAY”.

JUST THIS YEAR ALONE, SHE IS ATTACHED TO 11 TONY NOMINATIONS FOR “SPRING AWAKENING” AND FOUR NOMINATIONS FOR “RADIO GOLF”.

THIS, BECAUSE SHE STUMBLED INTO A CAREER IN THEATER 40-OR-SO YEARS AGO???

SOUNDS LIKE A BROADWAY MUSICAL, BUT IT’S NOT. IT’S HER LIFE.

WHILE RAISING A DAUGHTER, THE LONG-ISLAND NATIVE DID A QUICK STINT IN THE MID-SIXTIES… AS AN ACTRESS.

THE NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY WAS ONE OF THE OUTLETS FOR WHICH SHE PERFORMED. AND SHE WOULD SOON THEREAFTER GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A “PUBLICIST” OR “PRESS AGENT” FOR THIS HISTORIC COMPANY THAT HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO SO MANY OF OUR BLACK ACTORS.
AND WITH HER ENGAGING, FLAMBOYANT WAY…SHE BEGAN TO GET LOTS AND LOTS OF PRESS FOR THE N-E-C, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO DO SO… FOR BROADWAY AND OFF-BROADWAY!!!

AND SINCE THEN, SHE’S DONE MORE THAN 100 BRAODWAY SHOWS – FROM “BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR” TO “THE WIZ” TO LENA HORNE’S “THE LADY AND HER MUSIC”.

SHE TOO WORKED WITH THE POPULAR SOUL/ROCK GROUP “LABELLE” – AS AN INDEPENDENT PRESS AGENT ON THE TRIO’S LEGENDARY 1975 METROPOLITAN OPERA PERFORMANCE – THE FIRST ROCK CONCERT AT THE FAMED MUSIC HALL.

THAT MOMENT LED TO MORE PUBLICITY WORK AT CBS RECORDS AND AN AWESOME CAREER THAT HAS MADE SURE OUR SHOWS (AND ALL SHOWS) ARE SEEN… AND REVIEWED!

SHE TRULY HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ALL THINGS “BLACK”, “BROADWAY”, AND BEYOND, WHICH IS WHY SHE’S OUR 2007 RECIPIENT OF THE “BLACK 2: BROADWAY” VANGUARD AWARD.

My friend Marcia Pendelton was in the house and helped do much of the marketing for this event. She's always the difference to me as it relates to getting my culture on - so it was wonderful to share this night with her. (www.walktallgirlproductions.com/). So many other friends and familiar faces - from "AOL Black Voices" entertainment guru Karu Daniels to MTV radio's Bridget Bland to my Morehouse brother Khalid. Also, Anthony and I got to chat with Kym Whitley who was in town for a comedy show. (www.kymwhitley.net/)

By the way, Jennifer Lewis is currently doing a new one-woman show "Bipolar, Bath, & Beyond".

Oh! And of course, we watched "The Tony's" during these pressentations and performances. Everyone was blown away by Miss Fantasia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0-NlqvB3sY

This year's event was co-sponsored by Baccarat Fine Crystal and had promotional support from Paramount Pictures and American Airlines.

Proceeds of the ticket sales are being donated to the Black Aids Institute. 

When I was a teen, the whole high school journey seemed to be about having a date for the prom. In the south, there's little or no concern about anything but the hetero-sexual values and making sure those show up. And I took on that responsibility, even though I felt deep down inside I was gay. That  feeling wouldn't get a voice for another ten years.

But fast forward 20 years and I'll show you a ME who is going to the prom with my man, Anthony. WE'VE COME ALONG WAY, BABY... and THANKS to BLEU Magazine publisher Devon Christopher, who came up with the concept of "Bleu Prom ’07 – The Second Time Around". Devon and friend Richard Pelzer, who consults with BLEU, invited Anthony and me to participate as they suspected that neither of us got the chance to do our PROMs the first time exactly like we would have wanted. So, we accepted the invitation and were pleasantly surprised at what was there to meet us at at Strata NYC (21st Street and Broadway). (www.stratanyc.com)

First... a BLEU carpet that allowed us to pose in our ensembles that Anthony picked out for us to wear.

I ran into many friends, including Jaime Earl (www.jaimeearl.com), who worked on the art direction for the night. Jaime Earl LLC is a solid competitor in the field of organic skin care products. She has been in business since 2003, and during that time has developed a full line of 100% natural, premium "Green" skincare products for face & body, professional use and for use at home. Her products are "Green", meaning 100% chemical and paraben free, yet having a shelf life of one year. The company started out of a mother's need for high quality treatments that didn't irritate her daughter's severe eczema. She also wanted something that actually made an impact, a difference, and out of her desire for a line of sophisticated products that were luxurious, effective, and completely clean. I met Jaime many years ago in Atlanta through my good girlfriend Camille... and she is now thriving with her products. Good to see her...

But back to the prom, America's Next Top Model candidate Jade (who I hung out with a year from this night at "The Color Purple" after party) was not in attendance, but donated $1,500 towards the OPEN BAR. GENEREOUS! Another finalist Nik showed up to crown "THE KING" and "THE KING".

The night was co-sponsored by Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) & LifeBeat and was set up to raise awareness and bring about a greater sense of community among gay men of color.

The event was hosted by arts, culture and entertainment expert Nathan Hale Williams and included a special performance by several artists from Columbia's Music with a Twist roster. recording “This event is a dream come to reality,” says Devon Christopher, Publisher of Bleu
Magazine. “I am overly excited at the opportunity that we will all get a chance to do it all over again, but this time…our way”. AND WE DID! CONGRATS, DEVON and all of BLEU!

When Diana Ross wrote her spiritual, positive, and arguably guarded memoir "Secrets of a Sparrow" in 1993, she pulled the title from a Gospel song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". Now, Robin Givens has come out with her autobiographical tome "Grace Will Lead Me Home", culled from a verse of "Amazing Grace". Though her book tells an  emotional and highly personal story of her life and the struggles with her then-husband Mike Tyson, it's title read like "pun" to me as I thought about my "Amazing Grace" Nichole and how she is so much like "family" and "home" to me, it's a joy and honor that she and I have the opportunity to connect as much as we do. I just shared with Anthony how Nichole is the first person to enroll me in actually enjoying my Thanksgiving holiday away from my family. Often, here in New York City, I would get blue when I wasn't with my family, but because things sometimes weren't the same (after mom's passing), I wouldn't really want to be with my family for Thanksgiving (as different members were different places and it just didn't feel like home to me). I would make a decision to stay up North and be depressed before I'd go home and feel "emotionally scattered". Enter Nichole, who - like many others - invited me to she and her husband Tony's home (as far back as 2001, I believe). My concerns were initially "She's from Seattle. Do they know how to cook soul food?". I knew if the food wasn't good, that would be enough to throw me over the edge. But can I tell you (as chronicled this past November in "A Day In The Life of Riley"), Nichole, her sister Tory, and the rest of the family can throw down in the kitchen and the joy that comes with our times together has made this a strong, annual tradition that I will always cherish. Truly, 'Grace will lead me home' and to many other brilliant, open, and generous people who come into my life through Nichole.

This past week sparked lots of evidence around that as our dear friends DeDe McGuire and her sister Resa (both of whom I've talked about on the BLOG) joined us. Both radio broadcasters (and - in the case - of Resa, a TV anchor out of Atlantic City), they wanted some time to chill with Nichole and me. Ern, a friend Kevin, and Anthony were in the mix too. And we had a blast. We went to Cafeteria for some food (www.cafeteriagroup.com) before hitting our karaoke spot (www.karaoke17.com/). We sang all night long and just enjoyed each other's company.

On Sunday, Nichole and her "Desperate Housewives" (as I jokingly call them) gathered at her friend Monica's house (in New Rochelle). Monica, her husband Brian, and their son Miles were awesome hosts as we enjoyed lovingly-prepared fare from the grill. As things were being prepared, Anthony and I got the joy of hanging out with three-year-old Miles who has such a personality and lots of character. And what a sense of humor. He's the cutest. Just the kind of kid Anthony and I would want. And though there was an overcast and we opted out of getting in the pool, the "sunlight" came through in all the good people who were there that day. It felt like... HOME! Thank you, "... grace".