Sunday, November 23, 2008

Cedric The Entertainer / Thespian (?)

Sadly, it took a deep dig through this Sunday's New York Times to find something that felt relevant and fun to comment on.
If it ain't about Obama, or some dark tale of deprivation, this audience has to look long and hard for news that's fit to print.
Thank goodness, the adage "seek and ye shall find" still applies.


VIDEO: YOUTUBE/picturediscvinyl

There, tucked away in the Arts & Leisure section, was a rather gripping article on that Kings of Comedy stalwart, Cedric the Entertainer.
Bro' wants to be taken seriously as a Broadway actor, apparently. And with good reason.
He may best warrant this age's mantle left empty by Richard Pryor. He may need a theatrical venue to prove it since the Times gave his troupe's new rendition of David Mamet's "American Buffalo" a scathingly bad review.
No matter. Mamet and the Great White Way's powers that be are at least trying to include more actors of color in their productions; and Ced's helping to break new ground. Sharply or not.
In trying times like these, shouldn't we all stretch?
Mamet might say it in a few hundred words more, but "ain't nothing wrong with healthy conversation", as Ced's "Barbershop" character put it. Right?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was planning to see Ced on Broadway, but did not act quickly enough. One week after opening it was over! (sigh)

Anonymous said...

Ain't that some "isht"?
To me, he's a riveting character; whichever mode he's in.
Here's hoping he gets another chance to stretch.
Thanks for commenting. And, please, holla back!
ayd