Entertainment

BET’s ‘Boomerang’ yields first major role for on-the-rise actress

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Boomerang’ is dynamic, solid good content. The stories we are illustrating are universal,” said Brittany Inge, who is also the creator of The (Non) Starving Artists, which is dedicated to empowering and educating artists of every kind to be the lead in their own journeys.

Published

6 years ago

January 31, 2019

Oakland Post

By Brianna Alexis Smith, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The classic 90s film “Boomerang” is the latest movie to get its own reboot, courtesy of BET Network and Paramount Pictures.

Halle Berry, who starred in the original film, along with “The Chi” creator Lena Waithe, executive produced the 10-episode, half-hour romantic comedy series for BET as part of the network’s latest foray into scripted programming.

The series will continue where the 1992 film left off, focusing on the offspring of Jacqueline Boyer (Robin Givens), Marcus Graham (Eddie Murphy) and Angela Lewis (Halle Berry), as they attempt to step out of their parents’ shadows and create a legacy of their own.

It is described as an updated version of the film “Boomerang” that explores today’s contemporary workplace dynamics – including the changing role of gender and office politics – relationships, love and the conflicts between Generation X and millennials.
On-the-rise actress Brittany Inge plays Crystal Garrett, a friend to the main characters.

Brittany and I attended The Atlanta University Center. She is alumna of Spelman College and I am alumna of Clark Atlanta University. We have mutual friends. When I learned she was going to be in “Boomerang” I went to work.

My friend gave me her contact and I reached out. After getting the green light from BET, she was excited to talk with me and shared some exclusive insight on her character, Crystal.

Brittany described Crystal as “the mother to her friends,” the friend who tries to be the voice of reason.

Crystal, 26 years old and newly divorced, works in advertising, under Marcus Graham’s advertising firm.

When the audience meets her, “she’s finding her way after her divorce. She’s creating a new path for herself and figuring out what it means to be by herself,” said Brittany.
Crystal is fun, smart and loving. She’s a pro-black natural girl, with curves.

“I’m super excited about being able to represent for curvier women,” said Brittany. “I’m thrilled to be able to use my voice and body (literally and figuratively) to show that we all have stories to tell and we don’t all look one way.

“This show will illustrate what it’s like to be a millennial in 2019. What it means to be black and progressive, and trying to live your best life in the world that we currently live in,” she said.

“People will really be able to connect with these characters and the realities that they deal with. …If you’re a fan of the movie, expect something completely fresh. If you want to see yourself or people you may know represented, this is the show.”

After graduating from Spelman College with a bachelor’s degree in music, Brittany began studying acting, and has been acting professionally for six years.

“This is my first major role. I’m so excited to be a part of this cast – full of fresh faces and new actors,” said Brittany. “My experience in the Spelman College Glee Club really helped prepare me for long hours, rehearsals, being disciplined and on time, and how to take direction – which all of those things apply now as an actor and full-time artist.

“Boomerang’ is dynamic, solid good content. The stories we are illustrating are universal,” said Brittany, who is also the creator of The (Non) Starving Artists, which is dedicated to empowering and educating artists of every kind to be the lead in their own journeys.

“Boomerang” will air on BET, Feb. 12 at 10 p.m. Keep up with Brittany by following her on Instagram at @BrittanyInge or visit www.thenonstarvingartists.com. Follow Brianna Alexis Smith @TheeJournalist.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

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Arts and Culture

Promise Marks Performs Songs of Etta James in One-Woman Show, “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley

“The (show) is a fictional story about a character named Etta, aka Lady Peaches,” said Marks. “She falls in love with Johnny Rhythm, leader of the Rhythm Players Band and headliners of Madam G’s Glitta Lounge.” Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy Of Promise Marks.

Special to the Post

It was “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Group Theater in Berkeley on Saturday night, Dec. 7. The one-woman musical based on the music of Etta James featured the multi-talented singer Promise Marks

Marks, who wrote and directed the musical, also owns PM Productions.

Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

In between her soulful songs, Marks narrated impactful moments of the love story and journey of blues and forgiveness.

Marks sultry voice carried the audience back to an era that echoed with the power of Black music and a time of great change.

Marks said James shared love for the Black community by singing at gatherings during the Civil Rights Movement uplifting the people.

“She spoke to the movement, spoke to the people, and let her music speak for itself,” Marks said.

Backing the musical’s monologues, images and videos of Etta James are projected for the audience to view. While the production is fictional, Marks infused script with the unfairness and heartbreak James experienced while performing.

Marks performed gospel artist Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down” as she narrated acts of reconciliation and forgiveness among the characters at Johnny Rhythm’s deathbed.

Marks, who regularly sings for the Miss America Pageant, was asked to perform as Etta James last year. “(At the event) a lady yelled out to me: ‘You’re Etta James!’ And then the audience went crazy. I said to myself, ‘I may have something here,’” she said.

Within 12 months, Marks created the musical production, which featured a dozen songs honoring “the great legacy of Etta James,” she said.

Marks says she was saddened to see how Etta James was often judged by the struggles in her life and wanted to offer attendees a more layered view.

“Etta’s life was so big. I want people to know that she was more than her drug addiction,” said Marks. “We can’t make that her legacy. Her catalog is too amazing. You can’t just be that and have the catalog that she (created). I don’t want the addiction to be the focus: I want her music, her element, her sassiness, and what she brought to be the focus – her woman-ness, that she was strong, and I wanted to honor that.”

Set Designer Nora Burnette says she created the set segments to mirror James’ life story. A set designer for BRG since 2016, she explained that her process of researching the scenario and the character serve as her inspiration for her design.

“I try to design a set as close to real life as possible so that the actress can deliver the performance sincerely,” said Burnette. “By creating the right setting, it helps the actors release the true essence of a character.”

The set brought the story to life and absolutely floored Marks. “Once Promise (Marks) saw the actual set, she understood my vision: ‘Wow, you get me. You get it,'” Marks told the designer.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James, began her career in 1954 and gained fame with hits such “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” She faced a number of personal problems, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album “Seven Year Itch.”

Co-producer and BRG Development Director, Sean Vaughn Scott, works with Overseer Production. According to producer Pamela Spikes, “Marks talent truly does Etta’s life story justice.”

Pam Jacobs of Hercules, a friend of Marks’ mom, Jackie Smith, said, Marks “was fabulous and sang all of those songs flawlessly.”

“I’m so proud of my daughter,” said Smith.

Marks, who has served as an instructor for BRG, will return on Feb. 21- 23 for an encore run of the musical.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the BRG (Black Repertory Group) family and continue our executive director Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott’s vision for the Black Repertory Group theater,” said Marks.

The Black Repertory Group Theatre is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703. For information, visit: BlackRepertoryGroup.com