“LEGENDS OF THE FORGOTTEN BOROUGH”

BY SHARECE M. SELLEM

SYNOPSIS: “LEGENDS OF THE FORGOTTEN BOROUGH” is a play about a brotherhood that ignited a new sound and style that would make it’s way into America’s heart. It was a unique blend of Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul and Doo-Wop created by The Force MDs. The setting takes place in front of their family home after TC “Top Cat” a.k.a. Antoine Lundy’s funeral service. We are taken back to their fond thoughts and emotional past. Their true story of perseverance, frustrations, joys, accomplishments, addiction and music gives us a glimpse into what is was like to be at the dawn of a blooming new wave of culture in the early 1980’s. This group is behind hits like, “Let Me Love You,” “Tears,” “ Love is a House,” and number one cross over hit, “.” They also hold the title of many firsts, one being-the first R&B group with a DJ member (Dr. Rock) and the first to combine R&B, Hip-Hop and Doo-Wop. This play not only entertains us through the memories of the group, but serves as preservation piece of American music history.

NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT: Preserving what is dear to us can be accomplished through various means. Some people keep photo albums, some write stories, some make music, and some put it on display for others to appreciate. This production attempts to take its audience to the secret episodes of an iconic group. We enter the minds and hearts of these unique, but not so unfamiliar characters and witness what once was. May respect and preservation continue to be a part of our culture as we move through time. The only way we can know where we are headed is by honoring and appreciating where we came from. –Sharece M. Sellem

DEDICATION

*This production is in it’s third I’d like to dedicate this work to the -ACT ONE- phase of development. members who passed, but will SCENE ONE: BROTHERS RELIVED We are glad you are here never be forgotten. SCENE TWO: FERRY DAYS tonight to witness its SCENE THREE: WHATS YOUR IS MINE May you always be cherished as leg- formation. Two stage readings SCENE FOUR: TRISCO’S TROUBLES ends of Staten Island, NY. were held earlier this fall. T.C. 9/6/14 STAGE READING I -ACT TWO- MERCURY “The Forgotten Borough” SCENE FIVE: MEMORIES UNDER THE MOON DR. ROCK 9/20/14 STAGE READING II SCENE SIX: FALLIN’ LIKE THE RAIN SCENE SEVEN: DOIN’ IT FOR TC LORD K-WAN “Brothers Relived” Alix Goubourn…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….“MR. ROCK” Byron Knox……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. “DAD” Chadd Balfour………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….“STEVIE” Chinequa Bailey……………………………………………………………………………………………………“GIRL” “STEVIE’S GIRLFRIEND” Jemar Phoenix……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. “TC” Jon Cohen…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………“COWBOY” “SILVERSTONE” John “Tangsauce” Manselle-Young……………………………………………………………………………………………………“MAGIC MARK” Jus Hues………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “TRISCO” Martin Smith………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………”MERCURY” Maurice Clark………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..“JESSIE” Oliver Lester………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. “KHALIL” Shannon Mykins…………………………………………………………………………………..“GIRL” “CASHIER” “ROBIN,” “MADONNA”

ALIX GOUBOURN Playwright & Director…………………………………...SHARECE M. SELLEM Music Director……………………………………………..COLIN IVAN OSBORN Hometown: New Haven CT Choreography………………………………...JUS HUES & MAURICE CLARK Recent Works: Produced by………………………….BREGAMOS COMMUNITY THEATER Hope High Class of 84’ Keyboard……………………………………………………………...LYDIA IAROCCI Set Design………………………………………………………...DAVE SEPULVEDA Set Construction……………………………………………..DEANO MONTEIRO BYRON JEROME KNOX Music Production…………………………………………..GREG “WIZ” GOODE Sound/Lights………………………………………………………….JULIO PATRON Hometown: Ypsilanti, MI Stage Manager/Videographer………...……………………………….ALI ROBINS This is my acting debut! Graphic Work…………………………………………ARTWURKS UNLIMITED Host……………………...………………………………………………GRACE

CHADD F. BALFOUR Hometown: Windsor, CT Recent Works: Preyin' On Faith: A Gospel Musical (Summer 2014) Email: [email protected] Twitter: @chaddb4

CHINEQUA BAILEY Hometown: Hartford, CT Recent Works: Preyin' On Faith: A Gospel Musical (Summer 2014), Hope High, Class of 84,’ For Colored Girls: The Christian Experience, The Wiz and Faith Can Change the Impossible Email: [email protected] “As a performer, it is my mission to please a crowd. I’d like to thank God first and foremost and I’d also like to thank Sharece Sellem for yet another opportunity to share my talent.” JEMAR PHOENIX Hometown: New Haven, CT Facebook: Jemar Phoenix YouTube Channel: Jemar Phoenix Instagram: Jemar_Phoenix Bookings or Questions: [email protected] “I’m an Actor/Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist. Over the past year, I've mostly been performing original and cover songs at local bars, restaurants, and wedding venues. My latest focus is to continue my ascension with this musical journey to spread the word about my art.” JOHN “TANGSAUCE” MANSELLE-YOUNG Hometown: Hartford, CT Recent Works: The Wiz Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/tangsaucewithadollarsign I’ve been a dancer for seven years. One of my biggest inspirations was the movie, “You Got Served.” I’ve had the joy of participating in battles in Connecticut and surrounding areas.

JON COHEN Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario CAN Recent Works: The Baker’s Wife, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Just Thinking, Chess, West Side Story, and Oh-What a Lovely War! Email: [email protected]

JUS HUES CHOREOGRAPHER— “Let Me Love You,” “Forgive Me Girl,” “Love is a House” Hometown: Bloomfield, CT Recent Works: The Wiz Email: [email protected] “As an entrepreneur and artist, I’ve had amazing opportunities come my way. From working for and performing with artists like, Rob Base, New Edition, Take 6, and Slum Village, to being a business owner, I am ready to take the music industry by storm.”

MAURICE “REESE” CLARK CHOREOGRAPHER— “Stop the Love You Save” Hometown: Springfield, MA Recent Works: WIDE OPEN, Founder of InsubordiNation a dance company that performs various dance shows with Six Flags New England Email: [email protected] “I have directed, produced, danced and choreographed a lifetime’s worth of artistic works. I’ve also partnered with many local and national organizations. ‘I still feel like we (my wife and team) haven’t even scratched the surface.’” MARTIN SMITH Hometown: Hamden, CT Recent Works: Shrek The Musical, S.A.B.T. (Starving Artists Tackle Broadway) performances, and various plays Email: [email protected] “ My background in theater includes Handful Productions, North Haven Reparatory Theater, and several community theaters. I am supported by my father, four siblings, and many friends.” OLIVER LESTER Hometown: Hartford, CT Recent Works: Hot Chocolate Soul @ The Bushnell, God Uses Imperfect People, and Preyin’ On Faith Email: [email protected] “I’m a student at Goodwin College majoring in Health Science to pursue a career in nursing in addition to performing as an actor and singer. I wanna thank First and Foremost GOD for giving me this talent and platform. Thank you to all my family and friends and people I've come across who support my talent.” SHANNON MYKINS Hometown: Newport News, VA Recent Works: Hope High, Class of 84’ Email: [email protected] “I now reside in New Haven and made my acting debut at Long Wharf Theater with Bregamos Community Theater.”

COLIN IVAN OSBORN Music Director

Hometown: New Britain, CT Recent Works: Preyin’ on Faith, The Wiz, Easter Journey Email: [email protected] “I’m grateful the opportunity to work with such a talented cast and crew. Thank you for putting your trust in me to carry out this vision. Special thanks to Sharece, Rafael of SHARECE M. SELLEM Bregamos Community Theater and Playwright & Director the Force MD’s. Hometown: Hartford, CT Recent Works: Hope High, Class of 84,’ Becoming La Baker, Creator of OZ, The Wiz, WIDE OPEN Email: [email protected] “It is an honor to develop work with some of the best talent Connecticut has to offer! This process has been fun, challenging, and special. To be able to build a world along with musical greats, such as The Force MD’s, I am honored. Thank you Stevie, Khalil, Bregamos, cast and crew for participating in the journey. Much love and respect to legends, Jessie and Trisco.” Bregamos Community Theater Board of Directors Patricia Boozer Steve Clemons Gloribel Lopez Magda Natal Salia Mosquera Deano Montiero Rafael Ramos Matthew Short Thank You Bregamos! Thank You Lucio Dutch, Author of “Necessary Force” Autobiography of Stevie D.

Dramatic Arts with Sharece M. Sellem http://mime2music.wordpress.com

JUS MOVES

ALI ROBINS FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY (203) 815-5891 [email protected] TAKEN FROM THE NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT.ORG, SEPTEMBER 2014

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“FORCE MDs HIP-HOP BACK TO LIFE”

By David Sepulveda “Czech-born British playwright Tom Stoppard once described theater production as a “team sport.” With a new play under production, New Haven playwright and theater director Sharece M. Sellem has broadened her theatrical team, inviting audience members to a series of staged readings to help shape the direction of Brothers Relived, a working title that could change—again. The first stage reading, under the original working title The Forgotten Borough, was held recently at Brega- mos Community Theater, located behind the Erector Square complex at 491 Blatchley Ave. A second reading will take place there this coming Saturday, Sept. 20, beginning at 7 p.m. The completed onstage production of the play is slated for winter of 2015, according to Sellem. In the meantime, Brothers Relived remains a work in progress, unfolding in the public eye.

The new play, set in the early 1980s, tells the story of The Force MDs, a music group breaking new ground at the inception of America’s hip-hop culture. Sellem sets the table: “It’s 1981, and Harlem World (a City club) is birthing a new style and sound of music, Hip-Hop. On the Staten Island Ferry rode an eclectic group of family members and friends who dared to dream. They boldly fused sounds never before combined: Hip-hop, R&B, Soul and Doo Wop, only to add a new ingredient to the era. The Force MDs rode that boat to a career with highs, lows, plateaus and in-betweens, only to be grateful for the contribution they’ve made on American pop culture.” Sellem, who has additional projects underway—including a teen novel series based on the Hope High Class of ’84 play (which Bregamos Theater’s Warehouse Youth Ensemble performed at Long Wharf Theater’s Stage 2 last year; and a personal research project Becoming La Baker, based on the life of American born French singer, dancer and actor Josephine Baker—said that music plays a major part in all of her works. “From performing as mime artist, developing choreography for local original plays, to writing my own plays, music seems to be the common denominator,” she said. “I grew up listening to groups like the Force MDs, and so to create a piece that tells their story feels like an honor. They are great guys, and I almost feel a sense of responsibility to American music history, to contribute something in this form, in this way. Shows like Jersey Boys pay homage to wonderful music made by a specific group and I’d like to see the same for Hip-Hop/R&B’s beloved Force MDs.”