Lucy Anne Hurston, Zora Neale Hurston’s Niece and Biographer, Talks About Her Legendary Aunt in NYC February 11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 10, 2012 -- Lucy Anne Hurston, the niece and biographer of Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston, will talk about the literary legend on Saturday, February 11 following the play “Zora Neale Hurston at the Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street.

Kim Brockington stars as Zora Neale Hurston from February 10 – 12, in the play written by Laurence Holder, directed by Wynn Handman and presented by the National Black Touring Circuit’s Black History Month Play Festival.

Lucy Anne Hurston, the author of Speak, So You Can Speak Again: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston, was only three years old when Zora died in relative obscurity. Lucy Anne Hurston has, over her lifetime, compiled a detailed knowledge of her aunt’s life and work with a historian’s observant eye. Lucy Anne Hurston’s own work as an academic sociologist, with field research in Jamaica and St. Kitts, among other places, provides her with a unique connection to her aunt’s perspective and life. She has been the producer and host of two documentaries on Zora and the director of a high school production of her play “Mule Bone.” Lucy Anne Hurston currently is the chairman of the sociology department at Manchester Community College in Connecticut.

“Zora Neale Hurston” is a dramatic biography that examines the life of this famous writer and anthropologist of the Harlem Renaissance. The play follows Hurston from the all Black town of Eatonville, Florida to becoming the first Black graduate from Barnard College in New York City and ultimately into her personal journey as a writer, exploring Black folklore and anthropology. Brockington’s credits include “Guiding Light,” “The West Wing,” “Law & Order” and a powerful performance as Hurston in the acclaimed PBS “American Masters” television special on the famed writer and anthropologist.

“Zora was ahead of her time. Zora was feisty, fiery, strong, intelligent, bodacious, independent and way ahead her time. She was always authentic, always herself as a Black woman. She loved being Black and couldn't imagine wanting to be anything but that. She wanted to collect the stories, and ways of her people thought it should be celebrated and not changed and watered down,” said Brockington. “Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Gloria Naylor who are my writing ‘Sheroes’ would not be who they are or write as they do had not Zora existed! She was the first female black writer to boldly write about her people exactly as they are--because she felt it was important. They were beautiful and extraordinary as they were.”

On Friday, February 10, Dr. Brenda Greene, professor of English, executive director of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College and the National Black Writers Conference, will conduct a presentation on Zora Neale Hurston.

The performance is part of the National Black Touring Circuit’s Black History Month Play Festival exploring the lives of African American historical figures A. Philip Randolph, Zora Neale Hurston, Adam Clayton Powell and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in theaters throughout New York City from February 3 – 26.

The Black History Month Play Festival showcases a different biographical play each week, featuring three performances. In addition, there will be post-play discussions focusing on issues these African American politicians faced during their lifetimes. The Black History Month Play Festival is produced by Woodie King, Jr., the producer/director of the National Black Touring Circuit and Kim Weston Moran, associate producer. “These plays remind us that it’s important to honor the determination and accomplishments of these African American political heroes,” said King. “Each of them had a major role in changing and impacting American history and culture.”

“Adam” will be held February 17 – 19 at the Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Avenue. Starring Timothy Simonson, written by Peter DeAnda and directed by Shauneille Perry, “Adam” is a dramatization of the words and thoughts of the Reverend and Honorable Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. It is a dramatic, historical play that is set in Bimini, the House of Representatives and Abyssinian Baptist Church. “Adam” follows the handsome and charismatic Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. on his political journey as the Congressman who represented Harlem between 1945 and 1971. Simonson won an Audelco Award for performing as the legendary political activist.

“I, Barbara Jordan” will be held February 24-26 at the National Black Theatre, 2031 Fifth Avenue. Starring Toni Seawright, “I, Barbara Jordan,” was originally commissioned by The Alley Theatre. The play celebrates the remarkable life and career of the eminent Texas orator, legislator and teacher, who was Texas’ first African-American woman state senator. Jordan, the first African American woman from the South to be elected to Congress (serving from 1973 to 1979), also became the first African-American woman to deliver the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention in 1976. Seawright, the first African American Miss Mississippi, has been featured on Nickelodeon, the Broadway production “Street Corner Symphony” and the national touring company of “The Wiz” with Stephanie Mills. On Saturday, February 25, political activist Dr. Lenora Fulani will have a presentation on Jordan.

Already, “The Good Fight: A. Philip Randolph” was held February 3 – 5 at the National Black Theatre, 2031 Fifth Avenue. Starring Ralph McCain, “The Good Fight” was written by Al Boswell and uses Randolph’s words and deeds to tell his story. He fought to ban discrimination in the armed forces and led 250,000 in the historic march on Washington. “The Good Fight,” directed by Justin Lord, was originally commissioned by the A. Philip Randolph Institute. On, Saturday, February 4, renowned poet, playwright and author Amiri Baraka had a presentation on Randolph.

The Black History Month Play Festival performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. Tickets are $20. For more information call (212) 279-4200.

The National Black Touring Circuit was founded in 1974, by Woodie King, Jr. to make existing Black theatre productions available to a larger audience by presenting to the Black communities at large, to colleges, to Black art centers, and to resident professional theatres. The program is funded by NYSCA, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Mary Duke Biddle Foundation and Contracted

Dr. Brenda Greene     Kim Brockington     laurence holder     Lucy Anne Hurston     National Black Touring Circuit     Woodie King     Wynn Handman     ZOra Neale Hurston