An A-List Line-Up of the Most Acclaimed African American Talent Join For One Night Celebrating the Spoken Word with Music and Dance

Word Theatre’s Storytales: Featuring celebrities performing stories from acclaimed African-American author John Edgar Wideman’s literary anthology ‘Briefs’ at the Ford Amphitheatre Saturday October 6, 2012.

With Performances by Keith David, Dennis Haysbert, Lynn Whitfield, Marla Gibbs, Tracie Thoms, Roger Guenveur Smith, Omar Dorsey, Gary Dourdan, Edi Gathegi, Barry Shabaka Henley, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Dorian Missick, James Pickens Jr., Ron Simons, Lorraine Toussaint), Robert Wisdom, Sterling K Brown, Jason George , Michael Jace, Brent Jennings, Nicki Micheaux, Nyambi Nyambi, Dayo Okeniyi, Sterling Sulieman, Bill Cobbs, and Glynn Turman,

 WordTheatre will present “Storytales,” a special one night production at the Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. The presentation was announced today by WordTheatre Artistic Director, Cedering Fox. Based on ‘Briefs’, MacArthur ’Genius Grant‘ recipient John Edgar Wideman’s most recent collection of stories, “Storytales” features celebrity film, television and Broadway actors giving voice to Wideman’s words; musician Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids playing his original score live; and a dance troupe from Culture Shock LA performing hip hop dance.

Wideman, who will be flying out from the East Coast for the event, is the only writer to earn the Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction twice. He is a National Book Award finalist, a one-time Rhodes Scholar and a tenured English professor at Brown University. His stories personally and powerfully chronicle the African-American experience.

“As soon as I read John's manuscript, I knew it was meant to be performed by actors. WordTheatre launched ‘Briefs’ on the eve of its publication in 2010 with readings in Los Angeles and New York. The response was overwhelming and it became immediately clear that Wideman’s words needed to be heard by wider audiences. We’re proud to announce that our LA production at the Ford Amphitheatre features a stellar lineup that includes most of the cast from the debut performances as well as some dream-come-true additions. It’s fantastic to be collaborating with John Edgar Wideman, Chuck Inglish and Culture Shock LA to create something new.” says Cedering Fox, producer and director of “Storytales.”

“Storytales” presents Wideman’s literary exploration of his African-American heritage, accompanied by explosions of rap music and hip hop dance. In the rhythmic, spellbinding vernacular of the streets, Wideman's characters articulate the human impact of race, politics, violence, sex, love and loss. The one-night celebration of Wideman’s work at the Ford Amphitheatre will include performances his stories by:

Keith David (Cloud Atlas, Crash), Dennis Haysbert (24, The Unit),

Omar Dorsey (Django Unchained, The Blind Side), Gary Dourdan (CSI, Alien: Resurrection), Edi Gathegi (X-Men: First Class, Twilight), Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons, 227), Roger Guenveur Smith (American Gangster, Final Destination), Tracie Thoms (Rent, The Devil Wears Prada), Barry Shabaka Henley (Collateral, Flash Forward), Mark Christopher Lawrence (Chuck, The Pursuit of Happiness), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Tower Heist, Tony Award Nominee for Fences), Dorian Missick (Southland, Lucky Number Sleven), James Pickens Jr. (Grey's Anatomy, The X-Files),

Ron Simons (Night Catches Us, Law and Order), Lorraine Toussaint (Saving Grace, The Soloist), Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story, Eve's Bayou), Robert Wisdom (The Wire, Face/Off), Sterling K Brown (Army Wives, Righteous Kill), Jason George (Grey's Anatomy, Barbershop), Michael Jace (The Shield, Forrest Gump), Brent Jennings (Moneyball, Witness), Nicki Micheaux (Lincoln Heights, Their Eyes Were Watching God), Nyambi Nyambi (Mike & Molly, Day Night Day Night), Dayo Okeniyi (The Hunger Games, The Spectacular Now), Sterling Sulieman (Pretty Little Liars, In Time), Glynn Turman (Super 8, Men of Honor), and Bill Cobbs (Go On, Night at the Museum). All appearances are subject to change.

Ticket prices start at $15-$45 and $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under. $100 VIP Admission includes access to an exclusive pre-party with the cast and author as well as a signed copy of Briefs. Tickets are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). For groups of 8 or more, please call 323 769-2147. For more information, visit: http://fordtheatres.org/en/events/details/id/382. The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios

WordTheatre®: Giving Voice to Great Writing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring a love of language and literature. WordTheatre presents live performances of contemporary short stories with renowned actors and authors. The organization also creates original themed events to benefit fellow educational and charitable organizations.

Haute Tease

  • Union Européenne : L’heure du Choix

    La crise biélorusse révèle en filigrane toutes les limites de la diplomatie de l’Union Européenne face à la Russie, soutien indéfectible d’Alexandre Loukachenko. A l’Union Européenne de devenir une puissance et non plus un partenaire parfoisentendu.  

  • Suspect Arrested in 1988 Child Murder

    Michaela Garecht, 9, vanished from the parking lot of a local grocery store in 1988. Thirty-two years later Alameda District Attorney, Nancy E. O'Malley announced her office would be charging convicted killer David Misch with kidnapping and murder.

     
  • Seasons 52 Restaurant Review - A Breadth of Fresh Fare

    Just in time to offset the holiday gluttony and facilitate those perennial New Year health resolutions, Seasons 52 restaurant has opened its doors in San Diego's Westfield UTC.  The concept of this fresh grill and wine bar, now with 25 locations across the U.S. and more on the  horizon, is perfectly suited for the Southern California lifestyle where healthy living reigns supreme.

     
  • HL Lifestyle: The Cost of Child Care in Every State

    Deciding to have a child is arguably the biggest decision a person makes in her life. With parenthood comes a profound responsibility that ranges from protecting to educating. While countless joys accompany parenting, there are costs too — and they take effect even before birth.  

  • Seal Pup Slaughter Begins

    As the Seal pup slaughter is set to begin, The International Humane Society and the Humane Society United States (HSUS) have initiated an on-going effort to stop the barbaric massacre on the Canadian Ice Floes.

     
  • Earwig and The Witch Review - Entertaining, Magical, Charming

    Earwig and The Witch, from Studio Ghibli, presents the story of a young girl, abandoned, and raised in an orphanage until one day, against her wishes she is selected for adoption and suddenly begins a new life.