JAMES
BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE
What
happens when writer/activist James Baldwin invites
Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne
to a roundtable discussion of race relations with
Attorney General Robert Kennedy?
This theatrical experience witnesses a day in the life
of James Baldwin as he prepares for this secret meeting.
“The best sort of theatrical biography; the sort that thoroughly entertains. ...With humor, style and raw emotion,
A SOUL ON FIRE embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm.
All stage biographies should be served so well.”
—David DeWitt, The New York Times
Click Here
to pause audio of Charles Reese
discussing
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE
on Pacifica Radio WABI
“This play is wonderful and should be on the schedule at the Mark Taper Forum!”
—Emmy Award winner, Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond)
“A powerful piece of theatre....everyone should experience this project!”
—Emmy Award Nominee, CCH Pounder (The Shield)
“I was very impressed by your embodiment of Baldwin, and the exciting rhythm and pace of the piece as a whole.”
—Leora Wien, Los Angeles Theatre Works
“Thank you so much for your moving, highly engaging performance.
My sister, Lorraine would be honored.”
—Mamie Hansberry (sister of Lorraine Hansberry), Los Angeles, CA
“Playwright Howard Simon conjures up a dilemma that neatly captures the conflict
Baldwin faced between his art and his activism.”
—Charles McNulty, The Village Voice
“A very provocative theatrical experience!”
—Gay Iris Parker, Audience Development, Pasadena Playhouse
“Howard Simon’s performance play, James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire is an engrossing
poetic display of the religious, political, and internal turmoil that marked the life of
one of the great writers of the 20th century”
—Jeanette Toomer, Back Stage
“There are only two actors in this story, but you feel the stage is filled with many more.”
—Lisa Giordano, Show Business News
“The play has it all: history, sexual intrigue, music, audience participation, laughter, and finally, a
celebration of one of America’s most brilliant minds.”
—Ermece B. Kelly, New York Beacon
_________________________________________________________________________________
A HISTORY OF EVENTS
•••
Staged Reading of BALDWIN, September 17, 2007
at The Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles
James Baldwin makes an appearance via video projection in the production.
(circa 1963 from the Baldwin/Kennedy Interview with Dr. Kenneth Clark)
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Charles Reese as James Baldwin (left)
and Dwayne Barnes as Ethereal hovering over Reese's Baldwin (right).
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Judyann Elders (Actress/Writer), John Lathan (Broadway Artist),
Hattie Winston (Becker) and special invited guest.
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Charles Reese pictured here with Ella Joyce (Roc & A Rose Among Thorns) after the reading.
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Pamela Starks of Starks Casting (center) with her invited guests.
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McKnight (The Pasadena Collection, LTD)
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Audience engages in a talk-back with the cast and director of JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
•••
Staged Reading of Baldwin, August 5, 2007
at the Pounder Kone Art Space in Los Angeles
Staged Reading of JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE at
The Pounder Kone Art Space in Los Angeles, CA
August 5, 2007
Pictured above: Gergory Bid (in orange shirt),
Emmy Award-winner Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond),
Charles Reese (James Baldwin), Emmy Award-nominee CCH Pounder (The Shield),
Anita Aguilar, Treva Ettienne, CCH Pounder, Artis Lane (Renowned Artist),
Barbara DePasse (mother of producer, Suzanne DePasse),
Attending Audience in Pounder Kone Art Space, Dwayne Barnes,
Mamie Hansberry (Lorraine Hansberry’s sister), Charles Reese, Irene Wiley (Director)
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received an encore west coast stage reading presented by
Emmy Award Nominee, CCH Pounder (The Shield) at The Pounder Kone Art Space
in partnership with Teeth & Eyes Communications in Los Angeles, CA on August 5, 2007.
It was directed by Irene Wiley.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Dwayne Barnes...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received its west coast premiere stage reading at
the Fountain Theatre in partnership with Ben Bradley in Los Angeles, CA on June 30, 2007.
It was directed by Irene Wiley.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Dwayne Barnes...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
Historical Wall surrounding the life of James Baldwin
compiled by BALDWIN Dramaturg Matt Korahais ©2000
•••
Off-Broadway Production of Baldwin, April 9, 2000
at the Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall in New York City
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received its Off-Broadway opening on April 9, 2000
in New York City.
Presented by The New Federal Theatre, Woodie King, Jr., Producing Director.
Directed by Chuck Patterson
Production Stage Manager: Jacqui Casto; Sets/Technical Director: Terry Chandler;
Lighting by Antoinette Tynes; Costumes by Anita D. Ellis;
Video and Sound Design Sean O’Halloran; Property Mistress: Laura Johnston; and Dramaturge: Matt Korahais.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Forrest McClendon...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
"Making James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire"
Directed by Sean O'Halloran
•••
Workshop Performance of BALDWIN, June 12-27, 1999
at the Raw Space in New York City
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received its first workshop production
as part of a compilation of new works produced by the Sage Theatre at
the Raw Space Theatre in New York City on June 13, 14,19 & 20, 1999.
It was Directed by Chuck Patterson.
Costumes by Fredi Walker; Lighting was by Jack Brown;
Video & Sound Design: Sean O’Halloran; Stage Manager: Laura Johnston.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Forrest McClendon...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
Workshop Reading of Baldwin, February 6, 1999
at the John Houseman Theatre in New York City
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE was first presented as a reading in the basement theatre space of the John Houseman Theatre in New York City on February 6, 1999.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Forrest McClendon....................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
_________________________________________________________________________________
HOWARD SIMON, PLAYWRIGHT (1962-2000)
HOWARD B. SIMON (Playwright, 1962-2000) Mr. Simon received his B.A. Degree from Morehouse College and earned his MFA from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Mr. Simon authored over 13 plays which include Just Passin’ Through, The Red House On The Red Clay Hill, One Of The Children, Upstairs Apartment, MICA No. 6 and the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play, JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE. (winner—Sage Theatre Spotlight Award for Best Playwright).
David DeWitt of The New York Times said, “...with humor, style and raw emotion, A SOUL ON FIRE embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm. All stage biographies should be served so well.” In addition to his literary canon of plays coupled with a collection of poetry, short stories and essays, Mr. Simon was the first recipient of the Procter and Gamble’s Dreambuilder Scribe Award, which garnered him an Emmy nomination for his teleplay for Just Passin’ Through. (The film version of the play won two Emmy awards for Best Actor and Best Production). Just Passin' Through is currently available as a lecture/talk back film series for schools, libraries, museums, colleges, corporate and civic organizations.
Mr. Simon lived in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Mr. Simon was an educator and a member of the United Federation of Teacher’s Union. Prior to Mr. Simon's death on April 12, 2000, he was working on a new play about the poet-writer Langston Hughes.
For more information about the literary canon of Howard B. Simon, please email: soulonfire63@yahoo.com
_________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER AVAILABLE WORKS BY HOWARD B. SIMON:
FILM
JUST PASSIN’ THROUGH
A film written by Howard B. Simon
(Emmy Award Winner for Best Educational Television Programming)
Director: Jim Friedman. 1999, 60 min.
PLAYS
JUST PASSIN’ THROUGH
(Proctor & Gamble’s Dream builder Scribe Award Winner)
ONE OF THE CHILDREN
MICA #6
UPSTAIRS APARTMENT
FREE GAY PASTEUR: THE MORALITY PLAY
SLIGHT CHANCE
A CONTRACT WITH AMERICA
CHANGE OF HABIT
HUSH, SOMEBODY’S CALLING MY NAME — THE IDA B. WELLS STORY
THE RED HOUSE ON THE RED CLAY HILL —THE BENJAMIN E. MAYS STORY
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE, PART II — A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE
POETRY
TODAY FEELS LIKE A POEM
Selected poetry and prose from Simon’s Purple Book Series
Compiled and edited by Charles Reese
For more information, please email Charles Reese, Executive Curator of
the Howard B. Simon Literary Canon at creese63@aol.com
The Soul On Fire Fund
© 2009
Sean O'Halloran, Forrest McClendon, James Baldwin, Charles Reese, Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King
Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne
to a roundtable discussion of race relations with
Attorney General Robert Kennedy?
This theatrical experience witnesses a day in the life
of James Baldwin as he prepares for this secret meeting.
“The best sort of theatrical biography; the sort that thoroughly entertains. ...With humor, style and raw emotion,
A SOUL ON FIRE embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm.
All stage biographies should be served so well.”
—David DeWitt, The New York Times
Click Here
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE
on Pacifica Radio WABI
_________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT
PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“This play is wonderful and should be on the schedule at the Mark Taper Forum!”
—Emmy Award winner, Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond)
“A powerful piece of theatre....everyone should experience this project!”
—Emmy Award Nominee, CCH Pounder (The Shield)
“I was very impressed by your embodiment of Baldwin, and the exciting rhythm and pace of the piece as a whole.”
—Leora Wien, Los Angeles Theatre Works
“Thank you so much for your moving, highly engaging performance.
My sister, Lorraine would be honored.”
—Mamie Hansberry (sister of Lorraine Hansberry), Los Angeles, CA
“Playwright Howard Simon conjures up a dilemma that neatly captures the conflict
Baldwin faced between his art and his activism.”
—Charles McNulty, The Village Voice
“A very provocative theatrical experience!”
—Gay Iris Parker, Audience Development, Pasadena Playhouse
“Howard Simon’s performance play, James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire is an engrossing
poetic display of the religious, political, and internal turmoil that marked the life of
one of the great writers of the 20th century”
—Jeanette Toomer, Back Stage
“There are only two actors in this story, but you feel the stage is filled with many more.”
—Lisa Giordano, Show Business News
“The play has it all: history, sexual intrigue, music, audience participation, laughter, and finally, a
celebration of one of America’s most brilliant minds.”
—Ermece B. Kelly, New York Beacon
A HISTORY OF EVENTS
•••
Staged Reading of BALDWIN, September 17, 2007
at The Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles
James Baldwin makes an appearance via video projection in the production.
(circa 1963 from the Baldwin/Kennedy Interview with Dr. Kenneth Clark)
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Charles Reese as James Baldwin (left)
and Dwayne Barnes as Ethereal hovering over Reese's Baldwin (right).
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Judyann Elders (Actress/Writer), John Lathan (Broadway Artist),
Hattie Winston (Becker) and special invited guest.
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Charles Reese pictured here with Ella Joyce (Roc & A Rose Among Thorns) after the reading.
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Pamela Starks of Starks Casting (center) with her invited guests.
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McKnight (The Pasadena Collection, LTD)
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
Audience engages in a talk-back with the cast and director of JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
•••
Staged Reading of Baldwin, August 5, 2007
at the Pounder Kone Art Space in Los Angeles
Staged Reading of JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE at
The Pounder Kone Art Space in Los Angeles, CA
August 5, 2007
Pictured above: Gergory Bid (in orange shirt),
Emmy Award-winner Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond),
Charles Reese (James Baldwin), Emmy Award-nominee CCH Pounder (The Shield),
Anita Aguilar, Treva Ettienne, CCH Pounder, Artis Lane (Renowned Artist),
Barbara DePasse (mother of producer, Suzanne DePasse),
Attending Audience in Pounder Kone Art Space, Dwayne Barnes,
Mamie Hansberry (Lorraine Hansberry’s sister), Charles Reese, Irene Wiley (Director)
PHOTO CREDIT: LARRY MITCHELL - 323.481.0665
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received an encore west coast stage reading presented by
Emmy Award Nominee, CCH Pounder (The Shield) at The Pounder Kone Art Space
in partnership with Teeth & Eyes Communications in Los Angeles, CA on August 5, 2007.
It was directed by Irene Wiley.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Dwayne Barnes...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received its west coast premiere stage reading at
the Fountain Theatre in partnership with Ben Bradley in Los Angeles, CA on June 30, 2007.
It was directed by Irene Wiley.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Dwayne Barnes...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
Historical Wall surrounding the life of James Baldwin
compiled by BALDWIN Dramaturg Matt Korahais ©2000
•••
Off-Broadway Production of Baldwin, April 9, 2000
at the Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall in New York City
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received its Off-Broadway opening on April 9, 2000
in New York City.
Presented by The New Federal Theatre, Woodie King, Jr., Producing Director.
Directed by Chuck Patterson
Production Stage Manager: Jacqui Casto; Sets/Technical Director: Terry Chandler;
Lighting by Antoinette Tynes; Costumes by Anita D. Ellis;
Video and Sound Design Sean O’Halloran; Property Mistress: Laura Johnston; and Dramaturge: Matt Korahais.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Forrest McClendon...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
"Making James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire"
Directed by Sean O'Halloran
•••
Workshop Performance of BALDWIN, June 12-27, 1999
at the Raw Space in New York City
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE received its first workshop production
as part of a compilation of new works produced by the Sage Theatre at
the Raw Space Theatre in New York City on June 13, 14,19 & 20, 1999.
It was Directed by Chuck Patterson.
Costumes by Fredi Walker; Lighting was by Jack Brown;
Video & Sound Design: Sean O’Halloran; Stage Manager: Laura Johnston.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Forrest McClendon...................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
•••
Workshop Reading of Baldwin, February 6, 1999
at the John Houseman Theatre in New York City
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE was first presented as a reading in the basement theatre space of the John Houseman Theatre in New York City on February 6, 1999.
The cast in order of appearance, was as follows:
Forrest McClendon....................Ethereal
Charles Reese...................James Baldwin
_________________________________________________________________________________
HOWARD SIMON, PLAYWRIGHT (1962-2000)
HOWARD B. SIMON (Playwright, 1962-2000) Mr. Simon received his B.A. Degree from Morehouse College and earned his MFA from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Mr. Simon authored over 13 plays which include Just Passin’ Through, The Red House On The Red Clay Hill, One Of The Children, Upstairs Apartment, MICA No. 6 and the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play, JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE. (winner—Sage Theatre Spotlight Award for Best Playwright).
David DeWitt of The New York Times said, “...with humor, style and raw emotion, A SOUL ON FIRE embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm. All stage biographies should be served so well.” In addition to his literary canon of plays coupled with a collection of poetry, short stories and essays, Mr. Simon was the first recipient of the Procter and Gamble’s Dreambuilder Scribe Award, which garnered him an Emmy nomination for his teleplay for Just Passin’ Through. (The film version of the play won two Emmy awards for Best Actor and Best Production). Just Passin' Through is currently available as a lecture/talk back film series for schools, libraries, museums, colleges, corporate and civic organizations.
Mr. Simon lived in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Mr. Simon was an educator and a member of the United Federation of Teacher’s Union. Prior to Mr. Simon's death on April 12, 2000, he was working on a new play about the poet-writer Langston Hughes.
For more information about the literary canon of Howard B. Simon, please email: soulonfire63@yahoo.com
_________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER AVAILABLE WORKS BY HOWARD B. SIMON:
FILM
JUST PASSIN’ THROUGH
A film written by Howard B. Simon
(Emmy Award Winner for Best Educational Television Programming)
Director: Jim Friedman. 1999, 60 min.
PLAYS
JUST PASSIN’ THROUGH
(Proctor & Gamble’s Dream builder Scribe Award Winner)
ONE OF THE CHILDREN
MICA #6
UPSTAIRS APARTMENT
FREE GAY PASTEUR: THE MORALITY PLAY
SLIGHT CHANCE
A CONTRACT WITH AMERICA
CHANGE OF HABIT
HUSH, SOMEBODY’S CALLING MY NAME — THE IDA B. WELLS STORY
THE RED HOUSE ON THE RED CLAY HILL —THE BENJAMIN E. MAYS STORY
JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE, PART II — A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE
POETRY
TODAY FEELS LIKE A POEM
Selected poetry and prose from Simon’s Purple Book Series
Compiled and edited by Charles Reese
For more information, please email Charles Reese, Executive Curator of
the Howard B. Simon Literary Canon at creese63@aol.com
The Soul On Fire Fund
© 2009
Sean O'Halloran, Forrest McClendon, James Baldwin, Charles Reese, Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King