Stogie Kenyatta Performs His Acclaimed Broadway Style One-Man Show ‘The World is My Home-The Life & Times of Paul Robeson’
Stogie Kenyatta brings a unique interpretation to the stage, where he majestically captures the essence of Paul Robeson. Portraying 10 characters he chronologically takes us thru the life of history’s 1ST Black Renaissance man & one of America’s most complex, brilliant citizens.
(PRWEB) March 3, 2005 — Magnificently performed without intermission, with props, several wardrobe changes & an inspiring finger-snapping Jazz, Bebop, Gospel, Big band soundtrack. The play opens as Robeson’s father, a 15 year old runaway slave, rides the Underground Railroad to freedom. As laugh -out loud funny & entertaining as it is educational, Kenyatta ages from a 5 year old Paul, to the 70 yr old, world weary warrior that the blacklisted Robeson had become.
The show covers the Harlem Renaissance, with music from Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway & Robeson himself. As actor ages; he changes in front of the audience, from shirtless to full tuxedo. The wardrobe from slave outfits to Othello’s royal robe was meticulously designed by Designer Tuesday Conner. Kenyatta uses his stand up comedy skills, laughter, and satire, singing & brilliant storytelling to introduce us to the scholar, actor, singer, athlete, activist that was Robeson. Kenyatta’s portrayal reveals the sense of humor, charm, wit, romantic passion, & human frailties of a life filled with triumphant achievement & the tragedy of hopes unfulfilled. In the final scene, Robeson’s spine-tingling account of the horrors of captivity & the Middle-Passage; where sick women & children slaves were tossed into the sea, is so electrifyingly powerful, it gives you goose bumps. It’s the perfect ending to a riveting evening of theatre.
Paul Robeson’s life exemplified all the qualities that our society holds dear & all the courage & compassion that make America great. This son of a preacher man transcended race & nationality. His dream for a colorblind society was shaped by his belief that, if we accept the fatherhood of God; we must accept the brotherhood of man. He spoke out against the Holocaust, visited the Warsaw ghettos in Poland & co-founded the OAU (org. for African Unity) with WEB Dubois. Blacklisted by the H.U.A.C. hearings, he received numerous awards & a mountain in Moscow was named in his honor.
This show serves as a classy, cultural artistic centerpiece & complements any social agenda. Our objective is that the show will inspire an appreciation for diversity with its audience & guide them to a more noble life. The show is currently touring colleges, churches, art festivals, & special corporate events.
U.S. & International Appearances:
(Partial List)
Alabama A & M – 2 shows
Auburn Univ.
Austin Peay Univ.
Ball State
Bennett College
Bethel Univ – Tenn.
Bethune Cookman
Cal State Northridge
Cal State L.A.
California Baptist
Cerritos College- 3 shows
Cheyney State
Christian Brothers Univ
Clarke Atlanta U
Colgate Univ.
Columbia Univ.
Delaware State U
Florida A & M
Florida Memorial U – 5 shows
Fresno State
Furman University
Hampton Univ.
Hawaii-Kona – 5 shows
Howard Univ. – 2 shows
Illinois College
Jackson State U
Johns Hopkins U
Lemoyne Owens College
Lincoln Univ.
Livingstone College
Loyola Marymount U
Maryland Eastern Shore – 3 shows
Miami Dade College
Morgan State
North Carolina State
Paul Robeson HS- Bklyn, NY
Rhodes College
Rust College
Sacramento State U
San Francisco State
San Diego State
Santa Monica College- 2 shows
Seton Hall Univ.
St. Augustine College
St. Thomas University
Tennessee State U – 2 Shows
Tenn. Chattanooga
Texas A & M
UCLA – 3 shows
Univ. of Alabama-Tuscaloosa
Univ. of Arkansas – Fayetteville – 2 Shows
Univ. of Central Florida
Univ. of Illinois- Champagne
Univ. of N. Carolina
Univ. of N. C. Central
Univ. of Memphis
Univ. of Minnesota
Univ. of Penn – E. Stroudsberg
Univ. of Penn – Edinboro
Univ. of Penn – Indiana
Univ. of Penn – Millersville
Univ. of Redlands – 2 shows
Univ. of Southern Cal
Univ. of San Francisco
Univ. of Santa Cruz
Univ. of Virgin Islands –St. Thomas – 2 shows
Univ of Washington
Univ. of West Florida
Univ. of West Indies- Barbados -3 shows
US Embassy – Cave Hills, Barbados
US Embassy – Nassau, Bahamas
Virgin Islnd Brd of Ed- St. Croix & St. Thomas- 5 shows
Washington State U
Westchester Univ.
West LA College
YALE Univ.
Theater Festivals, Corporate & Museums:
Shakespeare in Paradise Festival-3 shows -Paradise Islnd, Bahamas
Valley of the Sun-Juneteenth Show-Phoenix, Arizona
