Broadway Maybe Closed, But Good Harlem Theatre is Alive and Well in Manhattan

Although the stagehand strike has put the breaks on Broadway Theatre, in New York City, some Liberata Dance Theatre (LDT) board members spent a wonderful afternoon at the theatre in upper Manhattan. Written by Playwright Yusef Salaam and directed by David Sheppard, "The Devil and Elija Muhammed" opened yesterday with outstanding performances presented by the H.A.D.LE.Y. Players.

This excellent play was Attended by LDT Founders Sam Sherrod and Myrena Sint Jago-Sherrod, along with board member Carl E. Reid, publisher of the Savvy Intrapreneur newsletter blog.

Eldon Bullock gave a very compelling performance emulating detailed mannerisms, in the lead role of The Honorable Elijah Muhammed. Eldon brought inciteful perspective, with his role, in vividly presenting the inner turmoils experienced by The Honorable Elijah Muhammed, including his unspoken respect for Malcolm X, since their split.

The entire play covers 2 winter days in the life of The Honorable Elijah Muhammed, using his office as a backdrop to give the audience a different perspective of the inner workings of The Nation of Islam at that time.

Overall, the timing and excecution of the various characters continuously engaged the audience. The actors provided thought provoking performances with pointed questions by Ali Abdullah (played by Tom Gordon), being demurely defensive when Sister Maryum (Angela Sims) has her integrity is questioned, office procedures being subversively disrupted by Samuel X (Albert Eggleston III), conscientious attention to security details by Captain Raymond Shariff (Tom Martin) and deflecting allegations of mistrust by Reverend Lillian Jones (Georgi Page).

The sleeper role of Washington X was powerfully brought to life with an excellent performance by Ron Wilks.

"The Devil and Elijah Muhammed" is a must see for serious theatre afficianados to put on their "to do" list before the last performance on Decmeber 9, 2007.

------------------------------
Select performances of "The Devil and Elijah Muhammed" run until December 9, 2007 on Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM - Sunday at 4:00PM
*** No Performances Thanksgiving Weekend ***

Location:
North Presbyterian Church
529 155th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avennue)

Tickets:
$20 General Admission
$18 for Seniors / Students

About the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players
Founded by Gertrude Jeannette, the mission of the Harlem Artists Development League Especially For You, a.k.a. The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players, is to present professional theatrical productions, to provide artists who are not regularly employed an opportunity to sharpen their crafts and to develop new talent. Our 365 performance will reflect decades of achieving these goals.

Call The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players at: (212) 368-9314 or (212) 926-0281.
For more information email hadleyplayers@yahoo.com