Legacy, U of L to celebrate Juneteenth
by CHRISTA RITCHIE
The Courier-Journal

The Juneteenth Legacy Theatre and the University of Louisville's African American Theatre Program will celebrate African-American independence this month with separate Juneteenth festivals.

The Legacy Theatre's Juneteenth Jamboree of New Plays will open Friday night and will continue over three weekends at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Celebrity guests in this year's Jamboree are actress Ella Joyce, playwright Michael Dinwiddie and actor/composer Grenoldo Frazier. Joyce will appear in three plays and will be the guest of honor at a Juneteenth benefit Saturday night. Frazier will appear in two plays and hold a workshop during the festival. Dinwiddie will direct his play, "A Guest of Honor," and hold a workshop.

This year's Jamboree "tells the stories of black aphorisms and African proverbs, blues mythology and dance legacy, ragtime and swing music, profiles of 19th-century African-American artists, and contemporary images of women at home, at work, and in love," said Lorna Littleway, founder and producing director of the Juneteenth Legacy Theatre. . . .

Juneteenth Legacy Theatre

RED PROGRAM - Explores images of women features celebrity guest artist Ella Joyce:

"Willie and Esther" - Friday, 8 p.m. This comedy, written by James Bronson, centers on a down-on-their-luck couple who plan to rob a local bank branch.

"Jingles in a Broken Tongue" - Saturday, 8 p.m. This is the story of an older African-American woman of Russian descent who longs to marry her fiancé but first must find a home for her deceased sister's soul. Written by Leslie Lee.

"Urban Transition: Loose Blossom" - Next Sunday, 7 p.m. The American dream becomes a nightmare for the Carter family when Earl Sr. loses his auto-assembly job following an injury. His teenage son then turns to the drug trade, with dire consequences. Written by Ron Milner.

BLACK PROGRAM - Focuses on 19th-century African-American artists and their families and the works of Kentuckiana writers:

"Ira! The African Roscius" - June 13, 8 p.m. This traditional musical traces the career and two marriages of 19th-century actor Ira Aldridge. Written by Donald Grody.

"A Guest of Honor" - June 14, 8 p.m. This Michael Dinwiddie piece centers on the life of Scott Joplin, creator of ragtime jazz and the most prodigious slide pianist and composer of the 19th century.

"Miss Amanda's Place," "Young Sistas" and "No More Dolls For Christmas" - June 15, 7 p.m. These three works were by Kentuckiana writers: Antoinette Oglesby Taylor, Lorna Littleway and Erma Bush.

BLUE PROGRAM - Celebrates the African-American legacy with music features guest artist Grenoldo Frazier:

"Swee' Pea and the Duke" - June 20, 8 p.m. Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Lena Horne's collaborations brought elegance to the African-American music canon. Written by Laurence Holder.

"Robert Johnson Trick the Devil" - June 21, 8 p.m. Robert Johnson was one of the most gifted blues guitarists of his era, and it was said he sold his soul to the devil to achieve his musical mastery. Written by Bill Harris.

"A Night of Zora!" - June 22, 7 p.m. "Colorstruck" by f olklorist Zora Neale Hurston weaves a tragic tale of jealousy and sabotaged love amid an exuberant dance-off of cake walkin' and steppin' that pits African Americans from Florida and Georgia against one another. Also, "Tall Tales and Short Sayings" by Lorna Littleway. This is an adaptation of short stories recorded by Hurston in the collection, "Every Tongue Got to Confess."

All plays take place at Actors Theatre of Louisville, 316 W. Main St. Tickets are $5 each a Jamboree pass for all the plays is $35. Tickets can be ordered at the Actors' box office, (502) 584-1205.