Two years ago, the Jamboree presented a two-character comedy, Willie and Esther, which featured guest artist, Ella Joyce (My Wife and Kids, Roc, Eve.)  Ella, who originated the role of the waitress in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, and appeared in the westcoast tour of Wilson’s King Hedley wanted to do a stage comedy that could become a signature piece for her.  Well she loved Willie and Esther and regards it as a character she can play for “the next 20 years.”  So we planned on how to give the play a new life and to reach a wider audience. Enter Carl Clay, Founding Producing Director of Black Spectrum Theater, who was looking for a special way to celebrate the company’s 35th anniversary.  Willie and Esther fit the bill perfectly. Willie and Esther opened in New York on April 14th and ran for five performances, four of them sold-out houses!

I hope to write more to you about Jamboree plays that go on to extended runs at other companies.  Juneteenth Legacy Theatre is a development company for new and original works, about the African-American experience and its legacy, that provides opportunities for African-American artists, especially women. Mission Accomplished!