A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Hi folks,

You KNOW I've been singing the praises of Condola Rashad this past Broadway season - from "The Trip to Bountiful": http://thetriptobountifulbroadway.com (which unveils its cable adaptation on Lifetime next month: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/) to Shakespeare classic "Romeo & Juliet". And from COZI-TV on NBC: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html to ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijZZeZgFkQ, it's been a HALLELUJAH CHOIR for all things Condola and "Romeo & Juliet". 

Well, GUESS WHAT? The 2013 Broadway production of ROMEO AND JULIET starring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad was filmed during its final week of performances and will be broadcast in theaters nationwide February 13 – 19 as part of BroadwayHD.

Like when "Romeo & Juliet" premiered on The Great White Way, THE LIFE OF RILEY has been given the opportunity to GIFT one of my readers A PAIR of tickets to see the film. Even for those who saw the stage production, there is certainly an interesting perspective seeing it in a different medium. 

ROMEO AND JULIET starring Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean) as Romeo and Condola Rashad (Smash, Sex and the City 2) as Juliet, will be opening at a movie theatre near you this Valentine’s Day! The film has an exclusive run in movie theatres from February 13-19.

The stunningly modern stage production has received acclaimed-reviews, including this from the New York Times: “Mr Bloom in a first-rate Broadway debut and the gifted Rashad exude a too fine for this world purity that makes their characters’ love feel sacred.” In addition to Bloom and Rashad, the cast includes Christian Camargo (The Hurt Locker, Dexter), Justin Guarini (American Idol, American Idiot), Tony Award winners Brent Carver (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sleepy Hollow), Chuck Cooper (Law & Order, American Gangster), and two-time nominee Jayne Houdyshell (Follies). Romeo and Juliet was captured for cinema on November 27 at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre by the multiple, Emmy award-winning Don Roy King (Saturday Night Live).

While ROMEO AND JULIET is the most famous love story of all time, this production marked the first time in 36 years that the play was produced on Broadway. 

TICKETS

For movie times and tickets, visit http://broadwayhd.com/ 

ONLINE & SOCIAL NETWORKS

Website: www.RomeoAndJulietBroadway.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RomeoJulietBway

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RomeoJulietBway

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RomeoJulietBway

Google+: Plus.google.com/+RomeoJulietBway

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ZvduhMstA

        BROADWAY GIVEAWAY!!!

HI FOLKS! THANKS to ALL OF YOU who SO ENTHUSIASTICALLY put your names in to be considered for a FREE PAIR of TICKETS to see the Broadway production of ROMEO AND JULIET (www.RomeoAndJulietBroadway.com) -  – featuring Orlando Bloom and two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad (STICK FLY, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL). CONGRATS to THE ABIAHS (Jermiah & MaameYaa Abiah) whose names were drawn to receive a FREE DATE for two on Broadway with the revival of Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET.  

Well, I promised another giveaway to a Broadway show! PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE the forthcoming Broadway production of A TIME TO KILL (www.ATimeToKillOnBroadway.com).

BUT MORE ON THAT AFTER THIS LATEST, SUPER-SIZED EDITION OF “…THE LIFE OF RILEY…” (LOTS GOING ON!):

MY LIFE AFTER DEBUT

SET YOUR DVR, FOLKS! I am EXCITED that K2 Pictures (http://www.k2pictures.com/) invited me to weigh in (as pop culture analyst) on about a half-dozen pop culture subjects for TV ONE’s “LIFE AFTER” (http://www.tvone.tv/shows/life_after.html) i.e. Clifton Davis, Jimmie Walker, LeVar Burton, Maia Campbell, and Shereé Whitfield. I am THRILLED to be featured in the upcoming season with other “LIFE AFTER” regulars – including friends Clay Cane; Flo Anthony; and SouLeO. Here’s the season’s fantastic line-up of Life After: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Life-After/266689690047:

September 11 at 8pm - Sheryl Lee Ralph and also September 11 at 8:30pm - Clifton Davis

September 18 at 8pm - Shirley Murdock

September 25 at 8pm -  Jimmie Walker

October 2 at 8pm - Adina Howard

October 9 at 8pm - LeVar Burton

October 16 at 8pm - Maia Campbell

October 23 at 8pm - Shereé Whitfield

Please tune into this season of Life After and let me know your thoughts!

TWITTER: @patarack @tvonetv

Speaking of TV ONE, MY COUSIN Kea Middleton is cranking up her acting career in The Rickey Smiley Show! A STAR IS BORN! Did you miss Friday's episode of The Rickey Smiley Show? Watch it online now! http://bit.ly/14nIUfr Great job, cuz! I LOVE YOU!!! #therickeysmileyshow

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

My MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Opening Night Video is still getting lots of mileage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! I’m currently awaiting word on if I’ll be hosting another video that chronicles the NYC-based auditions for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL’s touring company. Now's your chance to see if you have what it takes to join the cast of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL! Auditions will run in New York and Chicago in September. Learn more at http://www.motownthemusical.com/#audition-page Stay tuned for casting announcements and hopefully an upcoming video starring me.

CRAZY, SEXY LIFE.

I say little about my long-standing association with OWN and HARPO – my longest-standing client to-date (since 1998). But this new era of social media has allowed me a shout out or two to that tier of my work-load. With that, I want to shout out my girlfriend Chenoa Maxwell! Her new show #CRAZYSEXYLIFE on #OWNTV is blasting off on the air of my recurring client. BIG CONGRATS! http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/own-orders-new-docu-series-crazysexylife-starring-chenoa-maxwell-kiyah-wright-others SHOULD BE CRAZY. SEXY. And what a LIFE? Proud of you and the ladies! And now LIFE OF RILEY knows where we were the other month? LOL! GO OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2013/6/9/magic-2-do.html #own #crazysexylife #oprah

SUMMER FUN WRAP-UP

As our LIFE sometimes inter-twines with the FABULOSITY of Miss Chenoa Maxwell, I figured this a good place to digest the last couple of weeks --- FILLED WITH SUMMER FUN:

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISOUL! Great to CELEBRATE the BIG 4-0 of my Morehouse brother and friend ISOUL HARRIS (Editor-in-Chief of UPTOWN MAGAZINE)! Great fun, food, and festivities at Bagatelle in NYC’s meat-packing district! @bagatelleNYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, SIR! AM SO PROUD OF YOU! #blackdontcrack
2. OLD FRIENDS: Got to reconnect with another NABJ BFF Brian Henderson recently while he was in town from DC for business. He met up with Ant and me at our friend Bobby Roache's Union Square pad, once the digs of Andy Warhol. And he got in Motown: The Musical! Our girlfriend Patrice got to her BOUNTIFUL on when last she was in town. Ant and I also took her out on the town. And our girlfriend Carla has been visiting us in NYC for years: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/9/19/waiting-in-the-wings-dreaming-along-the-way.html. And of course, we always spend time together during the winter holidays: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2013/1/3/georgia-holiday-diary-2012-hny.html.  This time in NYC, she brought Cousin Kim (out of Chicago). Derrick joined us too. And we all had a blast! As usual, FUN FUN FUN! They went to MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL and TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL on Broadway! We enjoyed a nice meal at VNYL! We did some karaoke at DUETS’s. Come Sunday, we enjoyed a festive brunch at YOTEL followed by more karaoke - at RADIO STAR this time! HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND, EVERYBODY!

3. MC LYTE & PAUL WHARTON: “Real Housewives of DC”s Paul Wharton invited Ant and me to his NYC pad, the Mercedes House, for a gathering of friends – old and new – including MC Lyte, my Sidra, and a pad full of fun folks – enjoying each other and the final days of summer: good food; the best wine and champagne; and Paul’s Janet Jackson “Rhythm Nation” (video to boot) and my Diana’s “The Boss” from Caesar’s Palace (circa 1979 a la You Tube)! #justawednesdayinnyc

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS

1.  MARGOT B

HBO’s hit show “Boardwalk Empire” is introducing a new character this season: Maitland (played by Margot Bingham)… and you can tune your ears to Daughter Maitland’s voice here – an exclusive preview from the Boardwalk Empire Vol. 2 Soundtrack: http://itsh.bo/1cacYAo To the music connoisseurs out there, you will know this amazing talent as my friend Miles Anthony Williams' client MARGOT B! But the actress inside that same multi-talented diva is Margot Bingham – actress and, again, now-“Boardwalk Empire”s "Daughter Maitland". This season! #hbo #boardwalkempire #margotb #margotbingham CONGRATS, MILES!

1.  RICK BLALOCK

Shout out to my friend (for years): Mr. Rick Blalock! His latest book “THE GOP CIVIL WAR: Inside the Battle for the Soul of the Republican Party” is now available on Amazon.com. It is an e-book about the ongoing infighting in the Republican Party and its impact on all of us. He wrote the book with his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers Eric Ham and Carl Walton. If you are on Twitter, please send them a tweet right now, with a question about America, and the future, and the upcoming presidential election. Tweet to #THEGOPCIVILWAR. PLEASE BUY THE BOOK BY CLICKING THIS LINK, and help Rick and his team become #1 on Amazon's bestseller list for political books! It's only $3.99! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE YouTube VIDEO ABOUT THE BOOK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s93pJ8K4fpQ. Follow @theGOPcivilwar today, and tell your friends and colleagues to do the same. For more info go to www.thegopcivilwar.com. CONGRATS RICK!

1.  4 LITTLE GIRLS – PROJECT 1 VOICE

I write here all the time about the good work of PROJECT 1 VOICE (www.project1voice.org) – Founded by my friend Erich McMillan who invited me last year to be a part of the staged reading AMEN CORNER (by James Baldwin): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/7/30/young-solo-savannah-voice.html.

Well, the movement continues: September 15th, 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Four Little Girl's Church bombing, 16th Street Baptist Church! Directed by Phylicia Rashad, and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C..****Tickets will be distributed  at 5 p.m. on September 15 for the 6 p.m. performance.  http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=XNFOU

The Deadly Church Bombing Was the Turning Point in The Civil Rights Movement! FOR MORE INFORMATION on the many ways you can be a part – even from your mobile device, click on PROJECT 1 VOICE (www.project1voice.org).                   

BASKETBALL WIFE – CHARLES REESEShout out to my Morehouse brother Charles Reese and the cast of "BASKETBALL WIFE" – a TV SHOW that is the offspring of a web series. The promotional materials, according to Creator, Emmy-award-winning producer Michael Ajakwe, Jr., state: “A lot of people in the industry don't take web series as serious as they should. My new tv sitcom was adapted from my online sitcom that I wrote-directed-produced in 2009 called ..."Who..." that you can watch full 5-7 minute episodes on www.Ajakwetv.com for as little as $1. Without the web comedy series, there is no tv comedy series. So if you have a web series, you are sitting on gold if you can envision it working in anther medium as I did with mine”. Here is the trailer for "Who...": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ1RPQn00tw.

BROADWAY GIVEWAY!!! 

WITH THAT NEWS COMES NOW ONE PAIR OF COMP TICKETS FOR THE “…LIFE OF RILEY…” READER WHO WANTS TO SEE the forthcoming Broadway production of A TIME TO KILL (www.ATimeToKillOnBroadway.com).

Tony® Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes’ stage adaptation of the John Grisham bestselling novel holds the distinction of being the first-ever John Grisham property adapted to the stage. The production, directed by Ethan McSweeny, features Sebastian Arcelus, Chike Johnson, Patrick Page, Tony Award® winner Tonya Pinkins, Emmy Award® winner Tom Skerritt, Fred Dalton Thompson, John Douglas Thompson, and Ashley Williams.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS:

1. SEND AN EMAIL TO: patarack@hotmail.com NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12^TH at MIDNIGHT.
2. On FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13^TH (no later than NOON), I’ll choose – RANDOMLY – a name from that batch of emails and will – in turn – send the WINNER a ticket voucher for you to select a performance date that works for you.
3. You will EMAIL that form to the box office which will confirm and hold tickets for you at will call. EASY, RIGHT?
4. Let me hear from you at patarack@hotmail.com. GOOD LUCK… and SEE YOU AT THE THEATER!

A TIME TO KILL begins performances September 28 at The John Golden Theatre.

As always, FOLKS: THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

HI FOLKS! PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE ORLANDO BLOOM AND TONY-AWARD NOMINEE CONDOLA RASHAD (STICK FLY, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL) IN Broadway’s ROMEO AND JULIET (www.RomeoAndJulietBroadway.com).

BUT FIRST…

survive Newark

http://youtu.be/huwEcfXuzRI MISS Diana Ross brought Newark, New Jersey a special treat this past Friday at her sold-out Diana Ross At Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ - Aug 16 show: the original singer of her mid-‘90s MOTOWN hit “I Will Survive”, Gloria Gaynor – NEWARK’s LEGENDARY OWN! WHAT A MOMENT IN NEWARK HISTORY; POP CULTURE; AND ALL-AROUND DIVA-DOM! AND HOW EXCITING to see R&B Diva's Monifah Carter in the house! Shout out to Monifah’s boo Terez Mychelle; Mark A Forrest; Savoy Walker; and a host of my FAVs were in the house to see MISS ROSS! ‪#‎dianaross ‪#‎gloriagaynor ‪#‎njpac ‪#‎iwillsurvive ‪#‎monifah Photos (of Miss Ross and Miss Gaynor) are courtesy of: Tony Bea. After the aforementioned MISS ROSS set, Ant and I were excited to see CRISTAL – our friend from Atlanta who happens to share a birthday with MISS ROSS! BBQ was our post-set backdrop! YUM! TRY TO SEE MISS ROSS IF SHE COMES TO A CITY NEAR YOU! SHE'S IN GREAT FORM!

GO YANKEES!

Last I updated my blog, Ant and I got an invite from our friend Derrick Hemphill to attend a Yankees game - my first time in the new stadium. Great meal, food, and fun... and what a BLAST to run into Reginald Van Lee who invited us all to the Evidence Dance Company benefit in The Hamptons. You know we went? LOL! MORE ON THAT LATER as there was quite a week ahead before we could get there… THANKS DERRICK!

HARLEM BRUNCH WITH THE PORTERS

Last Sunday gave us the chance to catch up with BFFs the Porters (Mara, Tommie, and MISS Nina) in Harlem at Chez Lucienne. Always a good scene with our NYC fam!

WENDY IN ‘CHICAGO’

 After brunch, my matinee date - buddy Karu Daniels – invited me to join him to see sometimes-client Wendy Williams on Broadway in "Chicago" - one of her last performances this summer before she returns for the new season of 'Wendy' in September! CONGRATS WENDY! Great JOB! And of course, we’ll be watching your show when you return in September. THANKS KARU! Karaoke was a BLAST too (at YUKI 55)!

K. MICHELLE – LOVE & HIP HOP

Many are burying the "ratchet", but K.Michelle is growing on me and resuscitating her image towards proven artistry and a new chapter via - first Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta - soon Love and Hip Hop: NYC. Sweet woman! And again, a classically-trained ARTIST! Shout out to my friend Nathan Hale Williams who invited me to his Tuesday-night event at GO TUESDAYS at G Lounge - COME GET OFF‪ ‎#kmichelle‪ ‎#atlantic‪ ‎#thekmichelle

EVIDENCE in HAMPTONS

I’d mentioned while at The Yankees last week, we ran into Reggie Van Lee who personally invited Ant, Derrick, and me the 10th anniversary of our ‘On Our Toes in the Hamptons’ summer benefit – including cocktails, light dinner, auction, a dynamic performance by Evidence and the signature “Dancing with the Dancers” moment at the end of the event.

My socialite-BFF-with-the-most Carl Nelson joined Ant, Derrick, and me – a day that started with a pop by Sag Harbor’s B. SMITH where we ran into many friends – including co-owner Dan.

AWESOME EVENT!

We all really had a great time!

And it's always nice to see our NYC regulars in an off-the-beaten-path destination.

Plus, the dancing is always wonderul!

These young dancers are uber-talented!

And they are so humble and kind as well!  

Later in the evening (after the benefit which gave us a chance to hang out with HONORARY CHAIRS Susan L. Taylor and her husband Khephra Burns and a host of others), we went to Jamaica’s fine foods and grocery, JAMAICA Specialties. It's in East Hampton and Carl knows the owners. We enjoyed some delicious food from the Caribbean (and – of course – some TING). GREAT WEEKEND in The Hamptons!

THE MISSION OF EVIDENCE is to promote understanding of the human experience in the African Diaspora. Dance and storytelling take you on the ride. And they provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility and liberation. For more information on EVIDENCE and how you can support: www.evidencedance.com. GO EVIDENCE! THANKS REGGIE!

ROMEO & JULIET on BROADWAY: GIVEAWAY!!!!

You folks know I’ve been booking a lot of hosting and moderating gigs on Broadway - like this clip from "STICK FLY" last year (starring Condola Rashad); I interviewed the cast after a show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrdnbMgJn9s. AND WNYC/WQXR - THE GREENE SPACE has become a client the like. They have been booking me to host mini-productions (performances and panels) in its studio which records its content for radio and its website. This past Fall, I hosted a performance and discussion on "Teacake's Legacy" (as in Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God"s Teacake). Here's a link to that awesome session: http://www.thegreenespace.org/events/thegreenespace/2012/sep/17/their-eyes-were-watching-god-teacakes-legacy/ The plan is I'll be doing more on-camera/moderating for WNYC/WQXR. I just hosted another BIG READ program for them in Newark and we're talking some recurring possibilities in which I'll do consulting/producing and hosting this year. Stay tuned. AND MY HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON: I was hired to do red carpet interviews on MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL's opening night for its cameras. and to host its highlight video! YAY! LOL! Here's the clip I host: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. AND THIS VIDEO IS LOOPING ON THE MONITORS OUTSIDE THE THEATER; on the big screen in Times Square sometimes; lots of YOU TUBE traffic; and in cabs; etc! WOW! LOL! Other outlets picked up the raw footage of my MOTOWN THE MUSICAL interviews - including REUTERS: http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/04/16/motown-memorialized-in-new-musical?videoId=242278913&videoChannel=3. BROADWAY BUZZ also used my MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=An_r_D2HM5Q. ALSO: I have been a contributor on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 - most recently predicting TONY AWARDS nominations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTd5S1wKUs0. A few weeks prior, I was on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 to talk BROADWAY... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. In the aforementioned ARISE 360 Broadway segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway's "The Trip to Bountiful". And she was!! YAY!  So, they played that clip and referenced my prediction the following day:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0. I was again on ARISE recently to talk GATSBY: the book, the film(s), the blueprint on hip hop! HERE'S THE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBT9mSmfmCo. ALL OF THAT TO SAY: The marketing folks on forthcoming Broadway production of ROMEO AND JULIET (www.RomeoAndJulietBroadway.com) reached out to THE LIFE OF RILEY re: this Shakespeare revival – featuring Orlando Bloom and two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad (STICK FLY, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL). ROMEO AND JULIET begins performances on August 24 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Press Event Teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvnU8CIpSVE&feature=youtu.be WITH THAT NEWS COMES ONE PAIR OF COMP TICKETS FOR THE “…LIFE OF RILEY…” READER WHO WANTS TO SEE “ROMEO AND JULIET” ON BROADWAY! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SEND AN EMAIL TO: patarack@hotmail.com. I’ll choose – RANDOMLY – a name from that batch of emails and will – in turn – send the WINNER a ticket voucher for you to select a performance date that works for you. You will send that form to the box office which will confirm and hold tickets for you at will call. Our vouchers will be eligible for Tues-Thurs performances in September. EASY, RIGHT? Let me hear from you at patarack@hotmail.com. GOOD LUCK… and SEE YOU AT THE THEATER! Go Condola, Go!