Photo Credit John Freeland Jr.

photo credit John Freeland Jr.

The Robey Theatre Company welcomes the return of Margaret Avery to the cast. Appearing – Dec 4th, 5th, 6th; Dec 11th, 12th, 13th; Dec 18th, 19th, and 20th completing the run as Mattie Williams.

Actress Kellie Roberts will step into the role of Mattie Williams.

Kellie Roberts is a versatile talent who is not only an actress but a writer and ballroom dancer as well. Last year Kellie performed in the Robey Theatre Company’s West Coast Premiere of “A House With No Walls,” in the role of Cadence Lane.  As a member of the Robey Theatre Company’s Playwrights Lab, Kellie has written a series of one-acts, to be produced Winter 2010.

photo credit by Roy Hurst

KELLIE ROBERTS for three performances only will step in as Mattie Williams – Nov 27th, 28th, and 29th allowing MARGARET AVERY to fulfill a prior commiment.
 
MARGARET AVERY will return Dec 4th, 5th, 6th; Dec 11th, 12th, 13th; Dec 18th, 19th, and 20th completing the run as Mattie Williams.

Date/Time:Every week Friday, Saturday from Fri., November 13 until Sun., December 20, 8:00pm, Every week Sunday from Sun., November 15 until Sun., December 20, 3:00pm

The River Niger

By Lovell Estell III

Joseph Walker was among a handful of black playwrights who came to prominence during the Civil Rights era and won acclaim for their dramas about the black experience in America. This is a solid, spirited revival of his 1974 Tony Award–winning drama about a family tested by a critical moment of reckoning. The action unfolds in the Harlem residence of Johnny Williams (a dynamic performance by Ben Guillory), a housepainter who writes poetry and whose love for his long-suffering wife, Mattie (Margaret Avery), is matched only by his love of the bottle. The two are anxiously anticipating the arrival of their son Jeff (Dane Diamond), who they believe is returning as a successful U.S. Air Force navigator. But his eventual return instead brings disappointment and trouble for the family. Adding to the crisis are Mattie’s cancer diagnosis and the sudden appearance of four of Jeff’s old buddies who are now members of a militant black revolutionary group. This is essentially a dated melodrama, but one that nevertheless holds our attention and has fruitful poignancy because of the well sketched, robust humanity of the characters. Director Dwain Perry could do better with more rigorous pacing. Cast performances are uniformly good, particularly Alex Morris, who is superb as Dr. Dudley Stanton. Los Angeles Theater Center, 514 S. Spring St., dwntwn.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; through Dec. 20. (213) 489-0994.

Source: http://www.laweekly.com/events/the-river-niger-763389/