Reading: Malcolm, Martin, Medgar

Bailey, a close associate of Malcolm X during the last fourteen months of his life, witnessed what some would call Malcolm X’s most transformative period

[Theater]

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Community Works, in association with New Heritage Theatre Group, presents a staged-reading of “MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” written by noted journalist A. Peter Bailey and directed by Broadway actor and director, James Stovall.

This reading will be presented to more than six hundred youth and community members at the historic Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

Daughter of Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz and author of Growing up X, Ilyasah Shabazz will be on hand to answer questions. The Education Center is on the site of the famous Audubon Ballroom where Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.

The Shabazz Center is located at 3940 Broadway & 165th Street, New York, NY 10032. Performances are at 10:15AM and 12:15PM. Each performance will be followed by a post-show discussion led by A. Peter Bailey.

“MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” is part of Community Works’ award-winning multicultural and intergenerational Theater Connections calendar of events offered at sites citywide. This programming annually serves over 200,000 public school students and community members throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

“MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” is Mr. Bailey’s first play. The story centers on Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers, three assassinated icons of the civil rights movement, and their reunion in the after-life to discuss and comment on current events in our day, including the war in Iraq and hurricane Katrina. Mr. Bailey spins a tale of speculation with aplomb and breathtaking insight, a feat that can only be accomplished by one who has witnessed firsthand the thoughts and ideas of men who lived and died for the struggle of Black people during the 1960’s.

Bailey, a close associate of Malcolm X during the last fourteen months of his life, witnessed what some would call Malcolm X’s most transformative period, starting with his split from the Nation of Islam and his pilgrimage to Mecca, to the formation of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

A. Peter Bailey, a native of Columbus, Georgia, is a founding member of OAAU. During his tenure, he was the editor of the organization’s newsletter. Also, he was the former Associate Editor of Ebony Magazine, and is currently the editor of VITAL ISSUES: The Journal of African American Speeches and the co-author of Seventh Child: A Family Memoir of Malcolm X. Mr. Bailey is currently on the faculty of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington D.C.

“MALCOLM, MARTIN, MEDGAR” is under the direction of the Broadway actor and director, James Stovall. Mr. Stovall’s Broadway credits include “DREAMGIRLS’” “THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW,” “RAGTIME”, “THE LIFE” and “SWEET CHARITY.” The show features Jonathan Peck as Malcolm X, Michael Green as Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin Westbrooks as Medgar Evers and Sherry Bronfman as the Narrator.

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