November 5, 1984 Black Ink Page 7

Album Tracks 'A Soldier's Story' Packs Punch Ensemble , into the movie by Winired Cross (A Soldier's Story is currently playing at the Ram Triple in Chapel Hill ■) Staff Writer bringing with them acting talent rare­ by Kevin Washington a Howard University-trained army at­ ly seen on film. and Caesar and Rollins are fantastic. will certainly be remembered as a Assistant Editor torney, shows up in the backwater town as the official investigative of­ Their presence in almost every scene very colorful as well as talented Black films are rare. ficer. is what makes A Soldier's Story so group. But the group's third album, And excellent Black films are im­ Through a series of interviews engaging. Caesar, who played "Waking Up With The House On possible to find. with the men in Waters' platoon, Waters in the stage version, A Fire," barely gets warm enough to But Hollywood (in general) and Davenport gathers clues, but more Soldier's Play, won an Obie and a cause smoke damage, much less burn Columbia Pictures (in particular) importantly recreates the character of New York for best down a house. may have done something right this Vernon Waters. supporting actor. His work in a There are no real bad songs on time— whether on purpose or by Soldier's Story is undeniably the best the album but there are few real good accident--in producing the season's The script, which was written by Fuller, is entertaining. There are no acting in film this year. one s. "The War Song" has a catchy powerful, riveting drama A Soldier's Rollins, who previous role as slow moments in the story and the enough rhythmn to lift it out of Story. Colehouse Walker in Ragtime which mediocrity. "The Medal Song" Based on Charles Fuller's flavor of the period, captured on should have won him an Oscar for sounds like "," ex­ stage by the playwright, is brought to Pulitzer Prize winning play, A best supporting actor, returns to the cept with a heavyer accent on a the screen successfully. Soldier's Story is a mystery master­ screen in full force. His Davenport is calypso beat. "Don't Talk About It" is The movies flavor is also enhanc­ piece told with , humor and a lesson in Black pride and should net "It's A Miracle" part II. That's ok! "It's horror. The ensemble acting is pro­ ed by the music. Although Herbie him an Oscar in April. Hancock's soundtrack is weak, the A Miracle" is one of their best songs, bably the best seen in theatres this fall Both Larry Riley and Denzel and this song doesn't do any damage Blues pieces performed by Patti and the work in A Soldier's Story Washington (NBC's St. Elsewhere) as to the original. Labelle and Larry Riley (who wrote should bring in a number of academy Private Melvin Peterson, also give The album's best song is several of the songs) are beautifully award nominations for both those on memorable performances. "Mistake No. 3," a gorgeous ballad done.Labelle's voice has rarely been and off screen. Washington, who originally created that gives the Boy a chance to sing. It The story opens in 1944 in a little used for such good material--it's a the role of Peterson in the stage ver­ is by far one of his best vocal perfor­ redneck Louisiana town near a Black nice change from her 'so-so' soul. sion, does his best work yet. mances to date. army base. Drunken Technical Director Norman Jewison has The rest of the album is Sergeant Vernon Waters (Adolf also pulled together a fine cast and Possibly, the success of A lackluster. The biggest problems with Caesar) staggers out of a local dive skillfully translated the play into an Soldier's Story (and even Prince's this album is that it comes to soon on his walk back to the base. As he excellent screen tale. Purple Rain) will enlarge the number after the multi-platinum "Color By aimlessly wanders home, someone But, the ensemble acting is the of Black films produced by larger film Numbers." Its very hard to follow an pumps two 45 caliber slugs into his most powerful part of the movie--it is, studios. If not, maybe Black film pro­ album that good this soon with chest. in a word, unbelievable. Many of the ducers will try to capture a part of the something as good. The guys missed Several weeks later, Captain actors have stepped from the stage film market with their own quality the mark this time but not by much. Richard Davenport (Howard Rollins), version, produced by the Negro Black films. Bubbling Brown Sugar Rocks NCCU

Dacons-Brock has chosen ex­ Allen's remarkable portrayal of Lester brought down the house with a Gospel by Rhonda Hubbard cellent production assistants as well. Young in "The Resurrection of Lady Medley in the first act, has been a Managing Editor Kaye Sullivan's choreography is one Lester" on the NCCU stage last fall powerhouse for some time. Her pjer- half the energy equation which makes placed him at the top of the list of high formance in "Bubblin' " was quite The North Carolina Central Uni­ the show work. All of the routines were quality student actors in the Triangle. enough for me to eagerly watch for her versity Drama Department was in rare works of art, and the tap dance finale next engagement. His performance in "Bubblin' " keeps form a couple of weeks ago when they "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got The rest of the cast delivered a fine him at the top of that list. An actor by performed Rosetta Lenoire and Loften That Swing)" was worth the price of ad­ ensemble performance. The ensemble trade, Allen's powerful voice enhanced Mitchell's musical review "Bubbling mission alone. songs and dances matched the calibre several excellent pieces. Brown Sugar." The show, which is the But, the other half of the show's of the solos and duets. "Savior Faire's" Rose Williams first in the University's Diamond An­ spectacular energy equation was the The fantastic musical work by couldn't be left out of a Tony Award niversary year, was magnificent. Brother Yusuf Salim, Millard Bell and singing. "Bubblin' " most of all is a nomination list. As Irene Page, the Every aspect of the show was Shawn Buckward was also well worth musical and musical director Ben senior English major from UNC-CH energetic and entertaining, from the the price of admission. Their work was Keaton pulled every ounce of vocal en­ performed with her melodious soprano choreography to the brilliant light show not only flawless but made the energy thusiasm from each performer in the voice. Her "There'll Be Some Changes in the finale. equation an unqualified success. show. Rarely is the singing in a college Made" and "Ain't Misbehavin' " were The Eagle Ensemble, noted for its Brother Yusuf, hot off the road show of musical flawless — and when it is, it's two of the evening's high spots. past productions of "Death and the part singer, part coach. Keaton "Ain't Misbehavin'," has proven King's Horseman," "For Colored Girls deserves a hand. Donna Buie and Gregory Wade as again that Black musicals in the Who've Considered Suicide when the Casting can make or break a play the young couple who experience the Triangle could never be satisfying Rainbow Isn't Enuf" and "Black Nativi­ — and this cast was out of sight. At the Harlem of 50 years ago first-hand are without him. ty," placed itself on the map with the top of my list for Tony Award nomina­ excellent on stage. Both Buie and A special note — NCCU's produc­ first amateur production of "Bubblin" tions was Gregory Staplefoot, the ram­ Wade complemented each other and tion of "BubblingBrc)V/n Sugar" is cur­ since the Broadway show opened in bunctious Checkers. 'He's got star worked well. Wade, Buie and Allen's rently entered in the American College 1975. quality,' as they say. A singer by trade, "Harlem Makes Me Feel" and Buie's "I Theatre Festival — a dramatic arts con­ The musical odyssey about Harlem Staplefoot has comfortably adapted to Got it Bad" establish the actress as a test for special grants, scholarships and was skillfully directed by Karen the stage. His humorous "Nobody" and singer. awards. One of the 470 productions Dacons-Brock. She has developed the "(Brother, If You Wanna Spread Light) Kevin Dill as Bill "Bojangles" entered will perform in the Spring 1985 right formula for showcasing the talent You Better Pray for the Lights to Go Robinson also stood out — his intricade in the John F. Kennedy Center for the which is available to her. The entire Out" are the kind of things a singer tap dance routine in the finale brought Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. company under her astute direction wants to put on his resume, and his per­ the house to its feet. If you missed "Bubbling Brown gives the show everything it needs to formance did them justice. Special mention goes to Constance Sugar" this time around, you might sustain the energy set by the opening Next on my list is Kelvin Allen as Prince, one of the Triangle's premiere look for the Eagle Ensemble in D.C. number, "BubblingBrown Sugar."____ _Checke£s_vaudeville^parta jazz and Gospel singers. Prince, who