Reel Artsy NYC - Theater Review: Hell's Kitchen

Alicia Keys' debut stage play, Hell's Kitchen, ended its run on Broadway this past weekend. It artfully embodied the triumphant spirit of New York City, and brought to life a realistic journey of a teen girl's creative becoming. Set in the 90s, Hell's Kitchen is a truly homegrown experience, based off the upbringing of Keys, who grew up just a few blocks from the bright lights of Broadway. The play leans into the hit songs that we know and love, and yet it was able to morph and become something completely all its own. It felt like a fresh take-- carving out a lasting legacy on how theater is produced, marketed and packaged. Keys is a celebrated Grammy award-winning singer who remarkably fit the new role of Broadway producer quite seamlessly. Maleah Joi Moon won the Tony Award for Lead Actress in 2024, and the play itself garnered 11 Tony Awards nominations and 2 wins. It went onto win Best Musical Theater Album at the Grammys as well. 

Accolades aside, this play is meaningful and inspiring for anyone who's ever had big dreams. In Ali, we see a teenager find her voice, and place in the world through her music. I especially loved what Amanda Reid brought to the character (who picked up the lead after Moon made her exit). Reid had the perfect blend of "awkwardly cute" main character energy to Ali, which made the audience relate and root for her. She stirred the crowd up in all the right places with romantic misadventures. I hope she leans into more theater roles (and perhaps film) that give her the creative space to flex her leading lady skills. She would shine in material that offers her the range to be a romantic comedy lead both on the stage and on-screen.

Hell's Kitchen is the kind of play that made you want to see it again, and again, with a friend or family member visiting town. It is the modern quintessential soundtrack of the city-- on any given day (or night) you can hear "Empire State of Mind" being played in the streets of New York (at least in all the tourist spots). 

For those who missed Hell's Kitchen Broadway run, be on the lookout for its touring shows hitting major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Dallas, Seattle and Las Vegas. For more info visit https://hellskitchen.com/tour/

 

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Reel Artsy NYC - Theater Review: A Sketch of New York

Live theater performances are important, and needed; especially in modern society where people are often glued to their phones. Theater demands presence-- it's an immersive experience that requires the audiences' full attention from start to finish. There's a special kind of energetic exchange that takes place between the audience and actors. Together it creates a beautiful moment of connection and engagement through the art of storytelling. This post marks my official journey into spotlighting thais sphere of artistry.

As I enter the realm of theater reviewer, I look for the same kind of guideposts that moved me in cinema and television-- performances that offer vibrant and complex characters and stories that linger with me long after the show ends. Which brings me to the indie theater production I enjoyed on 44th Street, just a few blocks away from Broadway, in a tucked away upstairs theater that feels like the kind of place where you might find your next favorite artistic gems hidden. A Sketch of New York is an ensemble cast piece written and directed by Jo DiNozzi and Darien DeMaria. It plays out as a snapshot of vignettes about various creatives experiencing life and auditions in the big city. The play itself isn't revolutionary in its structure-- but that's not exactly what I was looking for or expecting. I came to see what actors would wow me with their portrayals in this standard tale of "making it." I don't think you have to reinvent the wheel in order to offer a quality theater experience. There's something endearing about seeing how actors can elevate and stand-out in the most basic story material. Sometimes that the best thing a playwright can do is create space for actors to shine in these "everyday" roles. 

A trio of actresses stood out the the most to me in A Sketch of New York: Anye Young, Chase Mercedes and Clara Kelley. 

If I had to pick a star in this show it would be Anye Young. 

Young's on-stage presence radiated charisma and confidence. There are some actors who simply beam and have that spark, or aura, that you can tell that they'll go onto even more bigger productions. Young had that "it factor." Young possesses comedic chops, and a flare for the dramatic as well. She stood out amongst her castmates as the one most likely to be seen in a Broadway show. She's the closest in the bunch to make that jump. 

Chase Mercedes was more subtle in her approach. I could see her easily finding a niche in both theater and cinema. Her performance offered that under-the-radar gem that I had hoped to encounter. There's talent clearly there-- and with more practice under her belt she'll find her stage power on a whole new level. Mercedes is bound to be on those One to Watch lists. I'm excited to see where her acting career goes. 

Clara Kelley might be the most well-rounded character actor of the show. I could see her range on display in the few scenes she had. Her stage presence is noteworthy. 

These actresses were the bright spots of this indie theater production and I wanted to acknowledge their work. As someone who is well-versed in cinema, but newer to the NYC theater scene I know that some things are universally true-- you know and feel talent when you see it, and more importantly feel it, because good storytelling touches the heart. 

Beyond the show itself, I found the theater space of the Producer's Club charming in its authentic vibes. It had a real indie spirit to it. I look forward to watching more shows at this location. For more info about this Off-Off Broadway venue check out www.ProducersClub.com

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The Perfect Find

Enjoy these first look photos of Numa Perrier's The Perfect Find starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers. 

After a high-profile firing, Jenna's fashion career comeback hits a snag when she falls for a charming, much younger coworker - who happens to be her boss's son. As sparks fly, Jenna must decide if she'll risk it all on a secret romance.

Numa Perrier is a favorite of ours-- her debut indie feature Jezebel was an extraordinary introduction to her aesthetically engaging and powerful onscreen storytelling style. Pairing her with a veteran talent like Gabrielle Union literally seems like a perfect fit in this modern romantic comedy that is sure to have a subtle core under Perrier's artful guidance. The photos look visually pleasing, with a vibrant color palette that is fitting of the fashion world setting. Perrier is on track to become a household name in cinema, a beloved director like Gina Prince-Bythewood in the Black film community, with talent that reaches to various audiences and genres. 

The Perfect Find premieres June 23rd on Netflix.

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Reel Artsy Lansing - Socialight Poetry Night

Join Socialight Society for a night of thought-provoking spoken word and poetry. They're hosting a Good Friday Poetry Night featuring Kamyrn Whitfield, Keyante Saxton, Nyshell Lawrence, Jonathan Lawrence and Najeema Iman. This Black-owned indie book shop is one of our favorites-- it's a great place to gather, network, and to soak up loads of knowledge from a beautifully curated collection of Black authors. 

Keyante Saxton

April is National Poetry Month so come and be surrounded stacks of classic poems (available for purchase) and be encouraged by the artistry of emerging talents like Keyante Saxton, aka "KT The Conscious Poet."

The event is free and runs from 6pm - 8pm inside the Lansing Mall. 

For more info visit Socialight Society's website, Instagram and Facebook. 

#ReelArtsyLansing

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Reel Artsy Detroit - HoneyGirl Skincare

Home-made and all natural. This independent Black-owned beauty brand offers soothing, and fragrant, body butters that moisturize the skin. HoneyGirl Skincare was birthed out of necessity, Amber Mitchell, crafted this skin care line as a method of healing for her family who "struggled with sensitive skin for years." 

The holistic beauty line offers a range of hand crafted items: shower steamers, sugar scrubs, honey bar soaps and luxurious body butters. 

The Warm Vanilla Body Butter is a favorite of mine-- it hydrates, and feels like a delicious treat for the skin: smooth, creamy, an essential for any woman's skin care routine. 

You can buy products directly from the business inside the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale, Michigan or order from them online. 

For more info visit their website or Instagram. 

#ReelArtsyDetroit 

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Outfest Fusion Film Festival 2023

The Outfest Fusion Film Festival is one of the premiere spots that showcases, affirms and supports QTBIPOC storytellers. The festival runs from March 24th to April 2nd in Los Angeles (with virtual screenings available). Pay special attention to the short films programming-- there you can find some true gems and catch emerging filmmakers shine in that format. 

Here are some intriguing films that stand out...

Hold Onto Me directed by Ravjvi Desai and Te Shima Brenen.

A documentary celebrating grassroots activist Mother LaTravious, a Black Trans femme matriarch whose journey from caterpillar to a butterfly began in her 30s.

Where Do We Go from Here directed by LaQuan Lewis. 

On the eve of Jamila and Rae’s one-year anniversary, Rae receives a voicemail from her ex-lover.

This Place directed by V.T. Nayani. 

Kawenniióhstha pursues her dreams of being a poet by moving to Toronto: the city where her estranged Iranian father happens to live. Malai also estranged from her father, but now that he's battling terminal cancer, she begins tries to repair her relationship with him, the one remaining link she has to her Tamil roots. When the two young women lock eyes in a laundromat, inexplicable sparks fly. As they grow closer, the weight of family and culture — which bear legacies of loss, migration, and displacement — complicate the growing intimacy they share.

I Identify As Me direted by Tina Colleen and Monick Monell. 

A chorus of queer and trans BIPOC reflects on how the intersectionalities of gender and people are infinite. 

For more info on the Outfest Fusion Film Festival visit their website.  

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Reel Artsy Fashion Spotlight - D’IYANU

Looking for a new fit for a film festival premiere? Or a stunning bold print for a night out on the town? Check out this Black-owned African style brand D'IYANU. The story behind the clothes is inspiring, a perfect illustration of finding purpose through authentic living and meeting the needs of the community. Founder and CEO, Addie Ajayi, talks about the origin of D'IYANU on the website: 

I was six years old when my family moved from Nigeria to the US. The transition was challenging, and I struggled to fit in. I felt different from everyone else, and spent many years trying to blend in.

But as I grew older, I embraced my uniqueness. Fashion became my form of self-expression and empowerment, and I found my individuality through clothing that helped me stand out from the crowd.

At the time, there was little to no ready-to-wear modern African-inspired clothing available in the mass market. Wearing African-inspired clothing typically involved sourcing fabric yourself and finding a tailor to make the clothes for you — a common, efficient, and inexpensive practice in Africa, but the exact opposite in the US. That’s when the idea for D'IYANU emerged.

The D'IYANU collection includes men's and women's fashion along with items for kids, and a beautiful selection of accessories that can that can jazz up your work or evening attire. For more info on D'IYANU check out their website and Instagram. 

#ReelArtsyFashion

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The Young Wife

The Young Wife is the sophomore movie release by auteur writer / director Tayarisha Poe (Selah and the Spades). It premiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival this week to positive reviews. It's what I lovingly refer to as a "Subtle Core"  type film; that means it's the kind of Black cinema that offers a beautifully layered and lyrical approach to Black life and love. 

The film stars Kiersey Clemons (Dope) and Leon Bridges (Ocean's Eight) as the central couple; it also features the Emmy Award-winning Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) portraying Clemons' mother in the film. 

A young woman grapples with the meaning of love and commitment over the course of her “non-wedding” day. 

The film comes from the Higher Ground Productions collab with Netflix and the Obamas. More info on the trailer and release date is to come. Stay tuned!

Bottom line: Anything that Tayarisha Poe directs gets an automatic add to on our must-watch list.

 

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Frybread Face And Me

Catch this Indigenous coming-of-age story, Frybread Face and Me, at the SXSW Film Festival tonight. The film is helmed by writer / director Billy Luther, and executive producer Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark). 

Two adolescent Navajo cousins from different worlds bond during a summer herding sheep on their grandmother's ranch in Arizona while learning more about their family's past and themselves.

The film stars Keir Tallman and Charley Hogan as the young cousins in this touching tale of belonging and becoming. It also features Martin Sensmeier (La Brea, Yellowstone).

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Poster - Drylongso

A fascinating piece of 90s Black Cinema history will get the big screen treatment at the Lincoln Center this March. Drylongso, directed by Cauleen Smith, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1999, won the Grand Jury Prize at Urban World Film Festival and garnered the Someone To Watch Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. 

Drylongso embeds an incisive look at racial injustice within a lovingly handmade buddy movie/murder mystery/ romance. Alarmed by the rate at which the young Black men around her are dying—indeed, “becoming extinct,” as she sees it—brash Oakland art student Pica (Toby Smith) attempts to preserve their existence in Polaroid snapshots, along the way forging a friendship with a woman in an abusive relationship (April Barnett), experiencing love and loss, and being drawn into the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city. Capturing the vibrant community spirit of Oakland in the nineties, Smith crafts both a rare cinematic celebration of Black female creativity and a moving elegy for a generation of lost African American men.

The film will play in 4K restoration on March 17th at 6:30pm at the Lincoln Center in NYC courtesy of Janus Films, The Criterion Collection and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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Reel Artsy Lansing - Socialight Society

Socialight Society is an oasis of Black thought, a real-life treasure trove where Black women and their writings are treated with the utmost reverence. As you step inside of Socialight you are greeted with the warm smile of its owner, Nyshell Lawrence, the stylist guide to this engaging vortex of exquisite, and carefully curated, collection of books-- (the shop buzzes with ancestral knowledge). Your senses will be awakened with fragrant candles crafted by Black artisans, and walls adorned with colorful posters and artwork highlighting the genius of Black women authors like Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, Octavia Butler, and local Michigan authors as well. It's a visual kaleidoscope of Black girl magic in the here and now. You need a few moments to drink it all in-- because it's aesthetics are worthy of awe. 

It's a book store and a gathering space for the community-- Socialight Society is on the road to becoming a destination spot and mecca for lovers of Black literature. The Pure Michigan campaign needs to hurry up and add this remarkable independent-owned book shop to its tourism website as soon as possible, because it's one of the Lansing area's unique attractions. 

Socialight Society also features a well-crafted event list including children's story time, a book club and poetry readings. 

"My life + work is a celebration of Black womanhood. I started Socialight Society as a creative safe space where Black women can feel seen and celebrated." - Nyshell Lawrence

It's not just a book store, it's a spiritual and intellectual experience. One that every Black woman deserves. If you're in the Midwest it should be on your must-see list. And honestly, if you're a lover of books, it's worth the travel even if you're far away. Next time you book a flight to Detroit, enjoy the big city and then head over to Lansing and check out Socialight Society firsthand for a memorable and nourishing experience. 

For more info visit their website and Instagram.

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Reel Artsy Lansing - Juice Nation

This Black-owned juicery located in the heart of Downtown Lansing is one of my favorite spots in the city (and the State). Juice Nation offers an amazing selection of organic raw juices, fresh smoothies, smoothie bowls, and curated detox juice bundles to help get your body and digestive system on track! The owners offer a wealth of health knowledge, the staff is super friendly, and you can confidently go about your day knowing that you are putting quality ingredients in your system. My favorite go-to Juice Nation snacks are the chocolate peanut butter smoothie, and the acai bowl. 

Juice Nation is a beacon of Black Wellness in the community. It's the perfect spot to grab a cold-pressed juice for a picnic at the park, or a smoothie after a kayak ride on the Grand River. Or you can cozy up with the Vanilla Bean Mocha for a movie night. Yum!

Juice Nation is has 3 locations in the Lansing, Michigan area. For more info visit their Facebook and Website. 

#ReelArtsyLansing #ReelArtsyWellness

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Reel Artsy Wellness - Fresh Dill

Fresh Dill is an excellent herb to help instantly jazz up a dish, plus it has the bonus of having positive wellness benefits. According to Healthline, "in addition to culinary uses, dill is rich antioxidants, and has traditionally been used to treat ailments, including digestive issues, colic in infants, assist heart health, lower blood sugar levels" and potentially help with bone health. Dill is also known to help reduce depression, lower cholesterol and ease menstrual cramps in women. Get creative with adding fresh dill to your routine and you'll make your dinners (and body) happy! 

#ReelArtsyWellness

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Poster - Creed 3

Michael B. Jordan directed the 3rd installment of the Creed film series. It's been applauded for its layered take on Black masculinity and friendship-- sparking thoughtful conversations in the community. We're glad that Jordan was able to step into the role of director and give Creed 3 a subtle core center amidst the action-packed scenes in this epic onscreen boxing match-up.

Now playing in theaters. 

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