Up & Coming Weekly

October 29, 2019

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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14 UCW OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 5, 2019 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 'No Child ...' explores the education system by JENNA SHACKELFORD EVENT With education being a hot topic on the county, state and national levels, discussions about the public school system are plentiful. By taking a humorous approach "No Child …" gives meaningful insight into the education system. The first show at the Cape Fear Regional Theater opens Oct. 31. The play, written by Nilaja Sun, is about her experience as a teaching artist who comes into a New York City classroom in 2006. With four years of teaching under her belt and a wealth of great ideas, she sets out to put on a play at the school, which is the worst-performing school in New York City's district. "It's a story of a person coming to terms with the wonderfulness and resilience of the students that a lot of people have cast off, but also com- ing to terms with the education system and what's guaranteed from a free public education," said the play's director, Kaja Dunn. The stars of the show are Ja'Maul Johnson, Tara Whitney Rison, Andrea Somera, Brandon Rivera, Monet Noelle Marshall. Rison plays Ms. Sun, an actor and educator who encounters experiences she's never had before at the new school. She has to learn about herself and help students reflect on their lives to help them realize they can be better than what people expect them to be. In contrast, Rison plays Mrs. Kennedy, a seasoned administrator who, after working 17 years as a principal, has seen it all. Somera plays Ms. Tam, Xiomara, Phillip and Mrs. Projensky. Ms. Tam is a teacher who worked in a law firm and is new to the world of education. Phillip, one of the students, is shy and Ms. Sun helps him get out of his shell. The characters have different backgrounds and perspectives and learn about themselves and each other. The show is humorous but has serious under- layers, so the theater recommends the play for ages 13 and up. The show's set design will place the audience back in high school. "From the minute you cross into the theater, it's like you're falling through the wardrobe into Narnia, but instead of Narnia, you're going into the Bronx," said Mary Kate Burke, the CFRT artistic director. The seating for the production will be onstage. The play is a celebration of education and teaching, the power of art and the difference that good teachers can make to a group of children. The show will have a "Red for Ed" night, which is a teachers' night that will offer a 25% discount and complimentary wine tasting to educators. In conjunction with the Junior League, CFRT is having a teacher basket giveaway. On CFRT's Facebook page, people had the opportunity to nominate a teacher who impacted them for the chance to win. CFRT also has a program where, once a se- mester, they pick a show that 11th graders across Cumberland County can see for free with their English classes. "No Child ..." is that show for this semester. On Nov. 6, Sun will attend the student matinee. After the evening show, there will be a talkback where the audience can ask questions. e play runs through Nov. 17. For more informa- tion or to buy tickets, call 910-323-4233. Patti La Belle set to perform at the Crown by DR. SHANESSA FENNER EVENT Most of America knows Patti LaBelle for her voice and music career spanning four decades, but she is a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word. If you've missed her on TV, or on the Broadway stage, the Crown Theater presents music icon LaBelle in concert Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. LaBelle, born Patricia Louise Holte, is known as the "Godmother of Soul." She began her musical career as lead singer and front woman of the vocal group, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. She is a dramatic soprano who has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. LaBelle became a mainstream solo star in 1984 following the success of the singles "If Only You Knew," "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up." In 1986, she scored with the No. 1 album, "Winner In You" and the No. 1 duet single "On My Own," with Michael McDonald. Outside of touring she has written six books and started her own product line of cakes, sauces, cobblers and sweet po- tato pie. She has her own cook- ing show, "Patti LaBelle's Place," which premiered its second season on the Cooking Channel in 2017. Her humanitarian efforts include being an advocate for adoption, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS and many other causes. In 1994, LaBelle was diagnosed with diabetes and became the spokesperson for the American Diabetes Asso- ciation. LaBelle has been inducted into the the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. Ticket cost is $55, $70, $95 and $135. For more information call 910-438-4100. DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Prin- cipal, WT Brown Elementary School. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Patti La Belle is set to perform at the Crown Nov. 8. JENNA SHACKELFORD, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. e cast from L-R: Brandon Rivera, Monet Noelle Marshall, Tara Whitney Rison, Andrea Somera, Ja'Maul Johnson

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