The BV Entertainment Newswire Blog

MOVING OUT, MOVING UP, MOVING ON

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:17:53 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

To many people's dismay, I've made a career out of being resilient and adapting to change ("How does that Negro do it?") -- even in the most treacherous of environs.

Yet, still I rise!!!

So with a new year, comes new opportunities -- platforms.

The Entertainment Newswire is moving to bigger and better things.

Let's hope.

See our exciting new look here, in our new platform.

Let us know what you think.

Our new URL is: http://www.blackvoicesblogs.com/category/entertainment-newswire

And if I forgot to tell you; "Take care!"

Tags: The BV Entertainment Newswire

MISS NEW YORK: Busting Loose, Part Two

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:57:58 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

The early feedback for Miss New York's spin-off reality show, 'I Love New York,' has been a bit overwhelming.

The premiere episode of the wild romp debuts this week on VH1, but has been causing hysteria on the Internet for the past week or so.

Hate it or love it, the reality show vixen (legally known as Tiffany Pollard) has taken the televised dating game competition to the next level, with a mixed bag of Y Chromosomes ranging in various degrees of character, emotion, personality and physical make-up -- all vying for the two-time 'Flavor of Love' loser's love.

It is said that revenge is a dish best served cold.

And for all of the 'Flavor' detractors who lambasted the record breaking show for perpetuating negative stereotypes of women, 'I Love New York' one-ups the shenanigans with full frontal exposure of attention-yearning men in all of their glory.

Her mother, known as Sister Patterson, is thrown into the mix -- and brings things to the hilt with a deep-seated disdain for a young buck named Chance (a self described "hot firecracker" clad in hip-hop regalia) who is a reality show star in the making. Patterson serves as Miss New York's voice of reason --in helping her make the right decision in whittling down the competition.

But enough of that, leave the rest of the reviewing to the reviewers, here's Part Two of my one-on-one with Miss New York -- her truly most revealing and candid interview to date.

Now I read an interview with you and you said that a woman wanted you to urinate in her drink so she could be like you?

Oh God, yes. Oh my God (screaming). It's funny that you brought that up because I guess these interviews really do get posted, chile. Yes she did. Yes she did really do me like that in the bathroom.

Where were you? What kind of bathroom was that?

Oh my God, you know New York is always getting her party on. I was clubbing. I don't know if they want me to give them a plug so I'm not going to say which club I was at… you know it was in crazy ass New York City.

And then you responded to her that she would have to pay you money to do that for her, but I want to know what would be the price for you to do that?

(laughing) Let's just say that her purse wasn’t able to hold all the money that I was looking for in order to have to do that.

Oh okay. So we all watched your evolution on the television. On the first season, I liked you on the first season. Then you came back and then you were like thin…I was like what did she do to herself? And then we see these new photos of you and you're a bit bustier.

Okay.

So tell me about your physical transformation?

Oh absolutely (giggles). I'm not going to say that I'm the Oprah Winfrey of dieting but I do happen to fluctuate a lot with my weight, and Season 1, that was me, lets say 20 pounds heavier than I usually am. And then on Season 2, I came back on the real thin, thin, thin side because I don’t know when to quit. And when something's going good, I keep going. And that was definitely too small, too thin for me. So right now I am a bit busty and I guess all of my weight is going to my bust line and I'm not mad at it either.

Did you get plastic surgery?

I sure did. And? I'm just playing baby. I get along with the twins right now. And we get a long fine and we look really good in out little blouses and stuff, so yes I did, I got my breast done.

The reason why I ask that question is because you have this presence on camera that kind of exudes a confidence. So, knowing that, most confident people really don't feel they need to enhance themselves unless they have a deep driving emotion about it. That's why I wanted to make it a point to ask you about your recent endowment.

Yes. And if I can just rebuttal real quick, that is so amazing because I am one of the most confident women that I know besides my mother. The reason why I really went and got a breast job was because, onceagain, I was tired of my weight fluctuating in that area… I was so sick of it. I was like 'Hey, we gotta make this a permanent busty type thing.' That's the real reason why I really got my breasts done. It wasn't really because I wasn’t happy with what God gave me. I was just tired of him giving it to me and taking it back on certain days.

That's funny. That's cute. So is Flavor going to be on this new show?

Oh boy (laughing). I think I'm going to have leave that one alone. But you know Flav and I are great friends and anything is possible.

Is he a part of the production team since this is a spin-off of his show?

… Not that I know of. I would say that if he's a part of the production, I didn’t know about it. They kept that a secret.

So what happens to you at this point, where are you in your life today as far as the acting pursuit, and your romantic entanglement at this point?

I like you. You're a funny guy. I love it. I love it. You just said something and I'm not going to tell you what you said but that word you just used… I'm just going to leave it alone. Oh my God. You have insight. I just want to tell you that me as an individual I am so content, I'm so happy, I'm proud, I'm pleased and I cant think of life going any better for me than it is today. I'm excited. I'm ready to take off and I have taken off before the show and I will take off before the show?

Have you been drinking today?

Drinking?

Drinking liquor?

As in water, and Iced Tea and as in Diet Coke, yes.

What's your favorite alcoholic beverage?

(screaming) I am not a lush. Not everyday. But I love my vodka and Red Bull.

What kind of cigarettes do you smoke?

You know what baby, I try to take it so easy on those cancer sticks …but I do smoke Newport 100s.

Why do black people like Newports so much?

I think black people like Newports because we like the most bang for our buck and Newports are the strongest cigarettes out there so we're …going to get the strongest cigarettes that exist. I'm sorry but that’s the way we're going to do it every time.

What's your favorite color?

My favorite color is black.

When is your birthday?

January 6.

So this [was] a big weekend for you?

Absolutely. Yes.

What's your favorite type of cuisine?

Oh my goodness. I'm going to go with stuffed crab artichoke dip, lobster dip. I love seafood.

Who's your favorite designer? Do you have one?

I love Michael Kors. That's mom's favorite designer. You know, whatever she loves I love.

Your mother wears Michael Kors!?

Yes. She loves that man. She can't stay away from him.

Oh my Lawd. What does she do for a living -- besides wreak havoc?

(chuckle) You know I'm going to call her after I get off of this phone. You know I'm going to tell her. She's a flight attendant but before then, her dad and her mom spoiled her so she gets whatever she wants.

Yeah. I think that’s what drew me to her. She has this whole aura of entitlement.

(screaming) YES!!!

I love that. I don't know why I'm drawn to it but it fascinates me.

Oh my God, I'm so going to tell her when I get off of this phone.

So did you ever want to be a flight attendant?

Oh God, no. I said if I go up in the air like that every single day it's going to have to be for a good reason and it's not going to be to take people to their destination. No. I would never want to be a flight attendant. But my hat is always off to my mom because I love her so much.

I want to interview her.

I got a pen and paper right now. I will deliver her to you.

She's amazing to me. I think she's over the top. You guys needs to doa 'Laverne & Shirley' or something. You guys on TV spells spin-off. I want to see a Miss New York doll. It's like a cottage industry. How would you want to expand your brand?

Well right now I'm thinking in terms of jewelry. I'm working on a jewelry line. I love my bling, sexy lingerie, stuff like that, of that nature. Stuff that women can celebrate themselves with. Not only women but men too, men love jewelry and lingerie too.

Now a lot of those 'Flavor of Love' girls have done those magazines like 'FHM' and 'King.' Please tell me youre going to be doing them?

Well, you know I did do a little spread in 'King' about two or three weeks ago, that's coming soon. I also did 'Out' magazine.

'Out Magazine'?

I sure did.

What are you trying to tell me?

What? That I have love for all. That’s what New York is trying to tell you.

Have you ever had a lesbian relationship?

What? (screaming) I don't know about you but I will tell you straight out that nobody can put it down like a man!!!

Well, it's 2007 so I think anybody as wild as you are can be down for anything. I definitely didn’t mean to offend you with that type of questioning.

Oh no baby, I'm not offended.

Now some people say that you come off a bit mean. Do you think that? Some people say they were rooting for you and then it just got a little crazy when your mother got into the picture and you kind of lost some people there.

Well, a lot of people can't take a strong armor. I'm a strong armor. My mom is the strongest armor I know. I'm not a mean women. It's just that there are times when I'm going to let my presence be known and my opinion be felt, so no, I'm not mean. I'm just straight to the point.

What is your drug of choice?

Oooh my goodness. Money. I love it.

I love that. See, you're a pro.

Tags: Miss New York, Tiffany Pollard, VH1, 'I Love New York, ' Sister Patterson, Chance, Flavor Flav, reality show, Newport cigarettes, Michael Kors

MISS NEW YORK: Busting Loose, Part One

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:50:25 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Call her a "Witch with a B" and she'll graciously accept the title.

Ask her about her "recent endowment," she won't flinch.

Talk about her mother and she'll tell you what to do!!!

Of course, I'm referring to reality TV's most popular personality (as of late), the unforgettable Miss New York -- the small town girl with the big mouth, the big heart and the (new) big boobs who brought the drama to Flavor Flav's record-breaking VH1 romp 'Flavor of Love.'

She's stepping out on her own with her eagerly anticipated spin-off show 'I Love New York' debuting Jan. 8 on VH1.

That is her --indeed-- on the left, sporting the afro and looking like a cross between Millie Jackson, Macy Gray, Buckwheat and Lawanda Page (Aunt Esther).

I tell you, you gotta love a gal with gall.

I got up, close and personal with the potty-mouthed diva to kick the ballistics.

Because we hit it off so well -- and carried on-- the interview will be broken up into two parts. Here's how Part One went down.

So are you from Rochester or Syracuse?

You know what baby? Actually I'm from upstate New York, New Hartford New York. So that's even farther up there. It's past Buffalo, it's cold, it's just a weary little city.

And now you're putting Upstate New York on the map.

You know what baby? Yes. I'm definitely putting Upstate New York on the map and I'm happy to do it.

You’ve been described as the "Grand Diva of Arbitrary Emotions."

What? Are you serious?

Well that's what it says on VH1.

Well you know what baby, I really don't go on the 'net that much because I don’t have that much time to do stuff like that. But if that is out there for me, you know I'll take it. I'll be that. I'm that then. Okay.

It's all about the internet.

It truly is. I should be ashamed of myself but I'm not. I don't really get online as much as I should but that’s a great title to hold.

What do you in your pastime?

In my spare time, I'm basically giving a lot of attention to my nails and my skin. I'm a real huge skin person. I'm constantly washing my face making sure it's clear and clean and making sure my nails are clean. I'm just a big skin and nails person. I hope that doesn’t sound too weird but that’s what I do in my spare time -- making sure that everything is on the up and up.

You save that for 'Essence' magazine.

What? (laughing loudly)

What was your life like before all of this television stuff? Were you an aspiring actress or something like that?

Seriously, yes I was. I was an aspiring actress. And I still am. Basically nothing has changed since the show except the recognition. Now when I walk down the street I'm easily recognized. I mean that’s the only thing that has changed in my life.

Who is Tiffany Pollard and who is Tiffany Patterson. You're referred to one or the other and I'm confused? What's the difference between the two of them?

Well you know I am here to set the record. Tiffany Pollard P-O-L-L-A-R-D, that’s me. That’s my last name and that’s who I am. Tiffany Patterson is basically, uh (pause) well I could tell you how that went about; My mom and my dad aren't married. My mom's last name is Patterson but I'm carrying my father's last name. That’s the name I grew up so that’s my real name, Tiffany Pollard.

It just got a little confusing with all the names. I thought they were aliases. I was about to say you got more aliases than Jennifer Garner.

(laughing) That could be a little confusing.

Now tell me about this show. What will make this show different from 'Strange Love,' different from 'Flavor of Love 1' and 'Flavor of Love 2'?

The thing that makes 'I Love New York' stand out from all of those other shows is that fact that I am really -- I'm not saying that Flav wasn't now, but there have been times when he said he was looking for a real good friend-- me, no, no, no I'm looking for my one and only. I'm really looking for love. Everything was real on his show too but the thing that stands out the most is that I really got to know these guys on a personal level. When I say that I don't mean intimately, I mean more so asking them questions that Flav didn’t really ask on an individual level. But for me, I'm really looking for a man. Not a friend, a guy, but a man -- a real man in my life.

Well what exactly are you looking for outside of just "a man"? What qualities were you seeking when you were filming this?

That’s a great question. When we were filming the producers they wanted to know what was my type, in terms of looks. For me, I don’t really have a type when it comes down to looks.

Well after you pined for Flavor Flav, you obviously don't.

(scream) You know what, I ain't even going there with you. I'm going to leave that alone.

I love Flav and I think he's hilarious. But come on.

He's styling, he's cute and everybody (pause) is beautiful in their own way. But [for] me, my type is someone that meshes well with my inner being -- someone who can deal with the fact that sometimes I have my days when I'm problematic and sometimes I'm going to have my days when I'm going to be on his side. Someone that can definitely take me on as a whole. That’s what I was looking for.

So it's not a physical thing?

Oh, absolutely not. Looks never mattered to me.

Oh okay because you have a motley mix of guys on this show -- from the rooter to the tooter.

You know I had to do it like that.

So how long did the show take to produce?

It took about a good three and a half [weeks], I'll say.

So it's going to be packaged. And how many episodes are we getting?

You guys are going to get ten luscious episodes.

UPDATED: Part Two of this candid, no-holds barred interview where MissNew York talks about urinating in a woman's drink, her drug of choice, her mother and much more. Read it here.

'I Love New York' premieres on VH1 Jan. 8 at 9:00 p.m.

BV Extras:

-- Miss New York steps up to the plate with her own spin-off.

-- BV's very own TV Blogsmith Marcus Vanderberg doesn't believe the hype and is officially "flavored out."

-- Who in the devil is 'Flavor of Love Season Two' winner Deelishis, for real?

-- What does 'Flavor of Love' vixen Miss New York really have to say?

-- The scoop on Flavor Flav's new album.

-- Flavor Flav gets all the way live on The RU Call.

Tags: Miss New York, I Love New York, Flavor of Love, VH1, reality show, vixen, Tiffany Pollard,crazy, wild

MELYSSA FORD: Making New Waves

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:31:37 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Hip-Hop's favorite pin-up girl Melyssa Ford has got a new job.

Next week, the former video vixen turned actress will assume the position as radio show host. Though it's not traditional radio, the boobylicious personality will take the reins over at Sirius Satellite Radio -- already home to channels hosted by Martha Stewart, Eminem and Howard Stern.

According to a rep, the 30-year old Toronto native will host a six hour block weekday afternoons from noon to 6 p.m. on the commercial free R&B/hip-hop hits music channel, 'Hot Jamz.'

As an actress, Ford has had recurring roles on the television series 'Soul Food' and the ill-fated UPN music industry drama 'Platinum.' She also hosted How I'm Livin' and BET Style, on the BET and has been featured in 'XXL,' 'Maxim' and 'Smooth Magazine,' among others.

Hip-hop fans may recognize her from her appearances in music videos including Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'" and Usher featuring Ludacris and Lil' Jon's "Yeah."

Known as one of the most business savvy beauties in the hip-hop game, Ford has designs on becoming a health & fitness expert with a forthcoming fitness DVD, and is working on a cookbook.

(Photo furnished by Sirius)

Tags: Melyssa Ford, Sirius Satellite, Hot Jamz, video vixen, Usher, Jay-Z, Lil' Jon, Soul Food, King magazine

LIL' JJ : Doing It Really Big

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:19:43 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Lil' JJ is about to blow up. Big Time.

The breakout teen comedian/actor -- who appeared in such films as 'Crossover,' 'Beauty Shop' and 'Yours, Mine & Hours'-- is the star of his very own sitcom, 'Just Jordan,' which debuts on Jan. 7 on Nickelodeon.

Created by Alison Taylor ('The Cheetah Girls,' 'Lizzie McGuire') and executive produced by television veteran Ralph Farquhar ('Moesha,' 'Proud Family', the half-hour, multigenerational comedy revolves around an outspoken, ultra-confident ninth grader named Jordan Lewis, who pipes up about kid inequalities while navigating a new life in Los Angeles.

The show is based on JJ's comedy routines, which have been winning audiences over since his pubescent days in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dubbed "The Prince of Comedy," the rising star legally known as Jason Lewis' big break came in 2004 when he entered BET’s stand-up comedy competition 'Coming to the Stage' and defeated challengers double and triple his age. His win landed him on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' and led the way for the aforementioned movie roles.

He also appeared on 'Showtime at the Apollo,' hosted Nick's 'Friday Night Slimetime' and had a recurring role on the teen network's longtime sketch comedy series 'All That.'

"[He] is a star for Nick and a champion for kids," offered Nickelodeon's executive Vice President and General Manager Tom Ascheim. "His smart, unabashed sense of humor about everyday kid injustices is the perfect ingredient for Lil JJ’s very own show and poises him to become the Seinfeld of his generation."

JJ has a development deal with the Viacom owned network's movies arm, and is set to executive produce and star in a yet to be titled feature film based on his real-life rags to riches tale.

The 16-year old funnyman recently headlined BET’s Teens of Comedy 20-city tour featuring five teenage up-and-coming stand-up comedians.

The BV Newswire has learned of plans for BET to air 'Just Jordan,' in the near future. No specifics have been announced as of yet.

In the meantime, the show makes a special one-hour launch with back to back premiere episodes (check local listings). For 13 weeks, new shows will air every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) during TEENick.

Tags: Lil' JJ, teenage comedian, Just Jordan TV series, Nickelodeon, TEENick, Beauty Shop, Crossover, movies, BET comedy

WENDY WILLIAMS: Still B****in'

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:06:42 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

The "bitch" business is turning out to be a good thing for nationally syndicated shock jock Wendy Williams.

No, I am not calling the sharp-witted multimedia maven a "bitch" -- per say-- I'm referring to the title of her latest literary endeavor: "Is The Bitch Dead, Or What? The Ritz Harper Chronicles Volume 2.'

The trade paperback novel will be released via Random House's Broadway Books imprint on Feb. 13.

It is the second installment of an innovative novel series that is turning out to be a grand scheme for Williams, who helms her five-hour gabfest on New York City's black owned WBLS-FM.

Ironically, the main character of the book is a controversial radio broadcaster that many love to hate -- much like Williams. And yes, that is the brazen broadcasting veteran donning the fur and the baubles on the book's cover.

Williams, who has written three previous books -- and landed on the 'New York Times' best-seller's list-- and also hosts a late night talk show on VH1, has talks about this exciting book series all the time on her radio show.

So it's something that her loyal legion of listeners have been patiently awaiting since the first book was released last summer.

What I can reveal --in a very topical and diplomatic fashion-- is that the new forthcoming book will chronicle Harper's chaotic dating lifewhich includes a dalliance with her best friend Tracee (HOW U DOINNNNNNNNNNN?) and a budding romance with a man whose family background "shocks the shock jock."

I'm not even going to wonder if life is imitating art, but…

…it gets even juicier:

Harper's family life is hot mess when she suffers the loss of a beloved relative and spends money on lawsuits and bodyguards to fend off someone from her past.

Just reading about it, sounds like a bit much, doesn't it?

Written with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Karen Hunter (Williams' longtime writing partner), 'Is The Bitch Dead' is rife with dirt, scandal and drama, many readers will be left wondering where the fictional Ritz Harper ends and the real life Wendy Williams begins.

A proposed book tour, visiting such cities as New York, Atlanta, Detroit, St. Louis and Chicago, is being solidified at press time.

Tags: Wendy Williams' new book, Ritz Harper Chronicles, best-selling author, WBLS-FM, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Karen Hunter, scandal, dirt, gossip, shock jock, radio

NOTABLE/QUOTABLE: Oprah Winfrey

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:07:55 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

"If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money for toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."

-- Media mogul Oprah Winfrey on her choice for building her leadership school in Africa, as opposed to America (Newsweek)

Tags: Oprah Winfrey, South Africa, school for girls, America, uniforms, i-Pod

DAWNN LEWIS: Hallelujah Time

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 14:13:42 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

When it rains it pours.

Just ask actress Dawnn Lewis -- who is having a career renaissance of sorts with her most recent acting endeavors.

The plump-lipped 'A Different World' star has an important cameo in the hit movie musical 'Dreamgirls' and is also fronting the stage adaptation of Whoopi Goldberg's box office smash 'Sister Act.'

So in essence, the woman who many affectionately know simply as Jaleesa Vinson (her character on the groundbreaking 'Cosby Show' spin-off) is literally flipping the script: 'Dreamgirls,' of course, was a legendary Broadway musical and is now a Bill Condon-helmed cinematic spectacle; and 'Sister Act' was a ….

Well you get my drift.

In 'Sister Act the Musical,' Lewis stars in the lead role as diva-in-waiting Deloris Van Cartier (a.k.a. Sister Mary Clarence) --an icon of empowered, ferocious, irreverent African-American womanhood-- who after witnessing a murder, packs up her platform shoes and moves in with the sisters at the down-and-out Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith.

If you saw the movie, you know it's a comedic romp.

The storyline set to music sounds like it could be real fun.

Directed by Peter Schneider (producer of Broadway musicals 'The Lion King' and 'Aida'), 'Sister Act' will make its world premiere at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre on Jan 24, after a week of preview performances. The show is scheduled to run through Feb. 25.

Lewis, a Brooklyn native who turns 46 this year, married retired NBA player Johnny Newman in 2004. They are now separated.

Professionally, she recently worked on the wildly popular Cartoon Network series 'The Boondocks.'

Tags: Dawnn Lewis, Sister Act the Musical, Atlanta, Alliance Theater, A Different World, The Cosby Show, The Boondocks, Whoopi Goldberg, musical, theater, Johnny Newman, Brooklyn

JUSTINE SIMMONS: Mommy Dearest

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:48:03 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Justine Simmons, the beloved mom on MTV's wildly popular reality series 'Run's House.' will be making her literary debut with the children's book 'God Can You Hear Me?' later this month.

She worked extensively with celebrated illustration artist Robert Papp --over the past several months-- to give birth to the book. The 32 page, oversized hardcover captures the questions and prayers young children ask as they confront moments of loss, confusion and sadness.

"As a child you are blessed to have the opportunity to create a wonderful friendship with God for the rest of your life. Take advantage of it," the woman who can be simply referred to as "The Hip-Hop Generation's Claire Huxtable," writes in the last page of the multicultural offering, geared towards children ages 5 to 10 years old.

"This is the ideal resource for parents and children as they work through whatever is taking place in their lives, tapping into the very hearts and spiritual concerns in an accessible, universal way," said Amistad/ Harper Collins publicist Gilda N. Squire.

Simmons and her husband, Rev Run, (of Run DMC) recently suffered the tragic loss of their newborn daughter, Victoria. "Until now, Justine remained silent about losing Victoria, choosing instead to privately grieve," Squire added. "That there are parallels between the book and her family’s own experiences make this publication all the more poignant and timely."

The book hits stores on Jan. 23 and will retail for $16.99.

BV Extras:

-- Rev. Run shares his 'Testimony.'

Tags: Justine Simmons, Rev. Run, Run's House, MTV, childrens book, religion

NTOZAKE SHANGE: Fully Representing "For Colored Girls"

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:11:37 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

The multifaceted Ntozake Shange makes a triumphant return to the theatrical stage with a four week-long celebration of her works, next month.

Presented by Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theater, the groundbreaking festival will presentations of some of Shange’s best plays and chorepoems juxtaposed with a host of panel discussions featuring musicians, choreographers, directors, musicians and poets associated with the acclaimed playwright, actress, director, novelist and educator.

Legally known as Paulette Williams, Shange is best known for her riveting play 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf,' which became the toast of Broadway when it opened at The Booth Theater in 1976.

The play, consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women, known only by a color --deal with such subjects as love, abandonment, rape, and abortion, garnered much acclaim, transferred into an Emmy Award nominated television special and is still being performed around the world.

"Ntozake's distinctive [play] challenged accepted notions of theater through a dramatic blend of dance, music and poetry," King commented. Along with late, great theater czar Joseph Papp, King originally produced and presented the show and was instrumental in bringing it to The Great White Way. "[Her] work is informed equally by her experience as a woman, a feminist and an African-American."

With 'Ntozake Shange: A Retrospective,' the veteran theater pioneer pays homage to Shange's living legacy with this major undertaking the Henry Street Settlement’s Abrons Arts Center in New York City Feb. 7 through March 4.

The impressive list of works featured will include 'Boogie Woogie Landscape,' 'A Photograph: Lovers In Motion,' 'From Okra To Greens / A Different Kind Of Love Story,' 'Laila's Dream' and the Shange's rendition of Bertolt Brecht masterpiece, 'Mother Courage."'

Shange's powerful one-act play, 'It Hasn't Always Been This Way,' directed by Dianne McIntyre, is the centerpiece of the retrospective and will run from Feb. 21 through March 4.

Tags: Ntozake Shange, Woodie King, Jr., New Federal Theater, playwright, Tony Award, Emmy Award, 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf, ' Joseph Papp