MACK: A Gangsta’s Tale Coming September 30th
The Sister Thea Theater Presents:
M a c b e t h
Mack, A Gangsta’s Tale
Opening September 30th
click the thumbnail image to see the full-size poster
Click here to see the promotional video for MACK: A Gangsta’s Tale (.mp4 format)
Back by popular demand, Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement and The Lower Bottom Playaz proudly present this year’s production of Shakespeare in the Yard: Mack, A Gangsta’s Tale. Directed by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA this retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth features an original jazz score and dancers, and a classic version and a hip-hop version.
Shakespeare in the Yard, in it’s fifth season at the Sister Thea Bowman Memorial Theater, presents the Lower Bottom Playaz in an adaptation of Macbeth. Mack, A Gangsta’s Tale is a mixture of classic Shakespeare, Beats, popular street music, and Spoken Word with an all-star cast. It will open on September 30th and runs weekends through the 9th of October in the outdoor theater in the backyard of the Prescott-Joseph Center For Community Enhancement at 920 Peralta St. Oakland CA.
The tragic-comic adaptation is written and directed by Ayodele ‘WordSlanger’ Nzinga and reflects the Lower Bottom Playaz focus on the lived life of the Oakland streets. This urban version of Macbeth features Spokenword Artist, A. Rush as Mack, Adimu Madyun lyricist and rhythm guitarist for Hairdoo, Spoken Word Artists Paradise and Prez, Master Drummer Keli Nitoto, members of Hi-Beats and the Turf Starz crew and WordSlanger in a cameo role as Hecate the Goddess of Evil.
Proceeds benefit the art and cultural programs at the Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement. Tickets range from $5.00 seniors 65 and older/students under 12, $10.00 general admission and $15.00 table side seating. House is open at 7:15. Concession stand. Dress comfortably for outdoor seating.
Additional information and tickets available at 510-208-1912 or 510-208-5651.
“Off the hook, done slipped the chain, aiming straight at your brain; Mack.”
Sponsored by - The Prescott-Joseph Center For Community Enhancement
History of Shakespeare in the yard:
Shakespeare in the Yard is offered annually at the Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement in October. In the last three years we did Notes from William, monologues and soliloquies from Shakespeare.
Our 2005 production of Shakespeare in the Yard was Macbeth. Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, Artistic director, of the Lower Bottom Playaz and the Sister Thea Theatre directed the production, which featured an original jazz score and dancers. A classic version was done for evening shows and a hip-hop version for matinees.
Shakespeare in the Yard was born in 2001 in with a production of Romeo and Juliet in response to a desire for local performances by local people. 60 percent of the multi-cultural cast came from West Oakland, all of whom had a strong interest in cultural participation, but had never before seen a Shakespearean play. The first annual Shakespeare in the Yard production featured the talents of West Oakland youth in a traditional rendering of Romeo and Juliet as well as Hip Hop interpretations.
From this troupe we have formed our own company, The Lower Bottom Playaz. Adaptations that include current events and the inclusion of issues confronting the neighborhood are a part of our evolving artistic signature.
Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, located at 920 Peralta St. Oakland, a just a short walk from the West Oakland Bart station. For additional information on how you can help, please contact Ayodele Nzinga at (510) 208-1912 or (510) 981-1313 or email Wordslanger@yahoo.com.
You can also contact Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement to find out more about Shakespeare in the Yard, The Lower Bottom Playaz, and MACK: A Gangsta’s Tale