Last Sunday’s matinee of The Fortress of Solitude at The Public Theater was quite a special affair for cast member André De Shields, who plays Barrett Rude Senior in the world premiere musical that features a book by Itamar Moses and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman.
The Company of The Fortress of Solitude. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
In the audience were seven of his classmates from Baltimore City College in northeast Baltimore, Maryland’s oldest public high school and third oldest in the nation, which celebrated 175 years this month.
Front: Dan Borinsky, Dick Cluster, Mike Moore, John Borden, Ed Friedel, Jack Anderson Back: Tom Risser, André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
The graduates of the class of ’64, who were joined by a few spouses, daughters and a brother, had traveled from Oakland, Philadelphia, Virginia, Boston and Baltimore for an impromptu reunion, experienced The Fortress of Solitude, then headed en masse to West Bank Cafe for a divine dinner.
L to R: Dan Borinsky, John Borden, Ed Friedel, Mike Moore, André De Shields, Dick Cluster, Kimberly Grigsby, Edie Mackie, Tom Risser, Jack Anderson, Sue Anderson. Photo by Lia Chang
The Fortress of Solitude, conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, began preview performances on Tuesday, September 30 and runs through Sunday, November 2, with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 22. Co-production with Dallas Theater Center.
Adam Chanler-Berat and Kyle Beltran with Akron Watson, Kevin Mambo, Juson Williams, and Britton Smith. Photo Credit: Doug Hamilton
The complete cast of The Fortress of Solitude features Ken Barnett (Abraham Ebdus); Kyle Beltran (Mingus); Adam Chanler-Berat (Dylan); André De Shields (Senior); Carla Duren (Marilla); Rebecca Naomi Jones (Lala, Abby); Jahi Kearse (Raf, Henry, Desmond, Jared); Kevin Mambo (Junior); Malaiyka Reid (Swing); Stephane Duret (Swing); David Rossmer (Arthur); Conor Ryan (Radio Guy, Mike, Gabe); Kristen Sieh (Rachel Ebdus); Britton Smith (Subtle Distinction); Brian Tyree Henry (Robert) Akron Watson (Subtle Distinction); Alison Whitehurst (Skater Girl, Liza); and Juson Williams (Subtle Distinction).
Adam Chanler-Berat, Kevin Mambo, André De Shields, Kyle Beltran. Photo by Lia Chang
Based on the nationally best-selling novel of the same name by 2005 MacArthur Fellow Jonathan Lethem, this soaring new musical The Fortress of Solitude features a dynamite creative team including composer/lyricist Michael Friedman (Love’s Labour’s Lost, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and bookwriter Itamar Moses.
Three generations of The Rudes- Kevin Mambo, André De Shields and Kyle Beltran. Photo by Lia Chang
The Fortress of Solitude is the extraordinary coming-of-age story about 1970s Brooklyn and beyond – of black and white, soul and rap, block parties and blackouts, friendship and betrayal, comic books and 45s. And the story of what would happen if two teenagers obsessed with superheroes believed that maybe, just maybe, they could fly.
Here Lies Love star Jose Llana was in the front row for Kevin Mambo, André De Shields and Adam Chanler-Berat. Photo by Lia Chang
The Fortress of Solitude features scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau, sound design by Robert Kaplowitz, projection design by Jeff Sugg, and hair and wig design by Leah Loukas.
Single tickets, starting at $80, can be purchased by calling (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street. The Library at The Public is open nightly for food and drinks, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and Joe’s Pub at The Public continues to offer some of the best music in the city.
Other articles about André De Shields:
The Fortress of Solitude starring André De Shields, Adam Chanler-Berat, Kevin Mambo, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Kyle Beltran & More at The Public
Mar. 7-Apr. 6: André De Shields, Adam Chanler-Berat, Kyle Beltran, Kevin Mambo and More Set for DTC’s World Premiere Musical The Fortress of Solitude, A Co-Production with The Public Theater
Two-time Tony Nominee and Emmy Winner André De Shields Performs FREDERICK DOUGLASS: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory and Speaks on The Wisdome of The Ancient Art of Storytelling at AFP 2014: Change Through Stories, Sept. 8-9, 2014
Aug. 14: André De Shields, Keith David, Tony Plana, Hill Harper, Armando Riesco, Kevin Mambo, Colman Domingo, and Peter McRobbie Set for Staged Reading of Toast By Lemon Andersen at Guild Hall
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Photos & Video: The Wiz’s André De Shields Sang “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” in The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall
Nov. 16: Conversations with the Divine with Owais Ahmed, Baize Buzan, Kathryn Cesarz, Kamal Hans, Brian Grey, Donica Lynn, Patrese McClain and Miranda Zola at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater
Photos: André De Shields, Michael Shannon, Rajiv Joseph, Christine Sherrill, Doug Peck, Alexis J. Rogers, Karen Ziemba and More Celebrate 2013 Jeff Equity Awards
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Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York.
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