Derrick Sanders, Jeff Award winner and founding artistic
director of Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre Co., directs Chicago Children’s
Theatre’s world premiere of Jackie and Me, a fresh, new theatrical offering for
Black History Month. Sanders also has a national reputation, having
directed at countless Chicago, regional and New York theaters. Babe Ruth changed baseball, Jackie
Robinson changed America. The awe-inspiring story of the courageous
athlete who broke baseball’s color barrier will be brought to life on stage
when CCT premieres the time-traveling adventure by acclaimed playwright Steven
Dietz,
based on the popular children’s novel by Dan Gutman.
Performances: Feb. 8-March 27 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts,
1016 N. Dearborn. Tickets, $25 for children (ages 17 and under) and $35 for
adults, will be available at www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or the ticket
hotline, (866) 811-4111. Discounted group rates are available at GroupTix; call
(773) 327-3778 or visit www.GroupTix.net. Previews: Feb. 8-11. Jackie and Me is recommended for
children ages 8 and older.
In Jackie and Me, Joey is a headstrong young boy with a
special talent for time travel. When he’s assigned to write a report on an
African American who has made an important contribution to society, he uses his
special ability to go back to New York City in 1947 to meet one of history’s
greatest baseball players. Joey plans to write a prize-winning report but
doesn’t plan on a trip that will forever change his view of history and his
definition of courage.
Kamal Angelo Bolden, who plays the title role, is a Peoria, Ill.
native, a grad of Bradley Univ. and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with
multiple national championships from Bradley’s speech team. He acts in regional
theater, commercials and independent films. Other cast members: Tyler Ross as Joey Stoshack, Tracey
Bonner
(Rachel Robinson), Patrick De Nicola (Ant), Ron Rains (Dad), Vanessa
Greenway (Mom), Sean Cooper (Flip) and Charles Stransky (Branch Rickey).
Until 1947, only white players were accepted in the major leagues,
but on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson was called up to play for the Brooklyn
Dodgers and became the first Black to play in baseball’s major leagues in the
modern era. Robinson, mainly a second baseman, though he also played at first
and third, was named Rookie of the Year for 1947 and went on to appear in six
World Series in 10 seasons with the Dodgers (1947-56). Other major league teams
soon followed Brooklyn's lead and hired Black players of their own. Robinson's stellar play and
his role in breaking the color barrier, led to his 1962 induction as the first
African American in baseball’s Hall of Fame. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary
of Robinson’s first year with the Dodgers, Major League Baseball permanently
retired Robinson's uniform #42. He’s the only baseball player ever to have been so
honored.
To enhance the experience of seeing Jackie and Me, particularly as part
of Black History Month studies, CCT will post a companion study guide for use
in the classroom or even at home with games, activities and exercises designed
to help spark frank discussion on the subject of race in America. Visit
chicagochildrenstheatre.org to download free supplemental educational
activities. Through a Target Corp. grant, CCT is implementing a new field trip
program during specific performances that will include free admission, study
materials and transportation. The program will accommodate some 6,000 students.
In Memoriam – Across the country sorors of Delta Sigma
Theta, the nation's largest public service Greek-letter organization for
African American women, are mourning the passing of Dorothy Penman Harrison, 103, their beloved
11th national president and former national treasurer, who was memorialized
Tuesday at Sixth Grace United Presbyterian Church. She died Dec. 23 in
Flossmoor, Ill. after a brief illness. Mrs. Harrison, an educator, was
preceded in death by her husband, Dr. G. Lamar Harrison, president of
Langston Univ. (in Oklahoma), and two sons. She graduated with a degree in
education from Ohio State University where she joined DST.
In 2008 the Defender ran a photo feature of Mrs. Harrison’s centennial (100th)
birthday celebration, a lovely and lavish tribute hosted by Delta’s Chicago
Alumnae Chapter and spearheaded by LaVerne Weatherly, chapter president,
at D’Estee House. In attendance, along with family and friends, were some 200
Deltas, including the current and past national presidents, members of the
national executive committee, the Midwest Region Leadership Team and Deltas
from throughout the region. In memory of Mrs. Harrison, I have run all nine
of the photographs from 2008 on Facebook, the social network site. I hope you
will take the time to look at them.
With Honors – Congrats to Roger F. Salter, successful Chicago businessman and
entrepreneurial trailblazer, who was saluted by Chicago State Univ. with an
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the December commencement. There
were 600 graduates receiving degrees during the ceremony, but Salter, chair and CEO of Sanmar Financial
Network, which is headquartered in the West Loop, was the sole honorary degree
recipient. His company’s clientele includes many of our town’s “who’s who” in
business, entertainment, sports, law, medicine, et al.
Founded
in1974, Sanmar is a unique financial brand that was among the first to embrace
comprehensive financial planning for clients. Today the network of certified
financial planners, accountants, stockbrokers and lawyers provide advice,
consultation and management services on taxes, insurance, retirement planning,
accounting, mutual funds, pension plans and legal services. During his career, Salter has been honored with numerous
professional and community awards in recognition of his many contributions.
He is a
member of Top of the Table of the international Million-Dollar Round Table,
received Black United Fund of Illinois’ Living Legends/Passing the Torch Award,
N’Digo Foundation’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and DuSable High School’s
Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. Salter studied at Chicago State and gradated from College
for Financial Planning as a certified financial planner and from American
College with a chartered life underwriter designation.
Newsy
Names – Happy b’day to radio icon Richard Steele, who celebrates Friday, 6 p.m., at Taste Entertainment
Center, 6331 S. Lowe, (with a “live” tribute to Teena Marie); Stephanie L. Green, Cheryl Pearson McNeil, Don Jackson,
Judge Arnette Hubbard, Betty Clawson, Robin Rice-Foster, Lisa Finch, Daniel L.
Parker, Larry Whitman, Denise Mathews, Damon Williams, Armstead Allen, Barbara
Holt, Kim Coles ... Hearty “halleleuyers” and “way to go” wishes to Ethel
Nelson-Greer, 76, a mom of 10 who received a B.S. degree in psychology from
Chicago State University during last month’s commencement ceremony. The Cook
County hospital retiree is a St. John Church Baptist parishioner ... Birthday girl Betty R. Clawson, head honcho of Dudley Beauty College Chicago, 8501 S.
Green, celebrates her “special day” Tuesday when her non-profit BRC Scholarship
Foundation Inc. invites her friends and colleagues to enjoy an afternoon of
relaxing services. Costs of manicures, pedicures, facials, body wraps, shampoos
and stylings will be donated to the foundation “to help create future
entrepreneurs.” To RSVP, call Deborah Williams, (773) 910-8122 or email BRCScholarship@hotmail.com.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
