Entertainment

Cosby Has a ‘Wonderful Time’ as Returns to Stage in Canada

Published

10 years ago

January 8, 2015

Protestors gather outside the Centre in the Square theater in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 to protest Bill Cosby amid brewing tensions and mounting allegations of sexual assault. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Hannah Yoon)

ROB GILLIES, Associated Press

KITCHENER, Ontario (AP) — Bill Cosby said he had a “wonderful time” and got a standing ovation from polite Canadian fans at his first show following a string of cancellations in the wake of sexual assault allegations from more than 15 women.

But outside protesters braved below-freezing weather to shame the ticket-holders as they streamed in and are likely to do so again at the second of three performances in Ontario on Thursday.

Cosby’s show in Kitchener was his first show since November when the entertainer saw at least 10 performances get canceled on his North American tour.

Like his last show in Melbourne, Florida on Nov. 21 there were no disruptions during the performance and the crowd laughed throughout.

Wearing a sweater saying “hello friend,” Cosby climbed the stage decorated with two giant posters of him with Nelson Mandela.

“First of all thank you,” Cosby said to the audience before starting his routine with some cold weather jokes.

He left to a standing ovation that was somewhat slow to start.

“Dear Fans: I would like to personally thank you for giving me the opportunity to bring laughter back into your lives tonight. Also, I would like to applaud all of you and give you a standing ovation for respecting yourselves, the theatre (Centre In The Square) and the event organizers that produced a spectacular show for the Kitchener Community,” Cosby said in a statement issued by his publicist following the show.

Some ticket-holders had said they would boycott the performance, and the 2,000-seat venue was about two-thirds full. Several police officers and private security guards were posted throughout.

Outside the Centre in the Square, more than a dozen protesters carried signs saying “rape is no joke.” Some shouted “you support rape” and “shame on you” at fans. A few protesters blocked the doors of the venue until being asked to leave by security.

But fans defended Cosby as they arrived.

“I’m skeptical of all the accusations,” said Gerald Reinink. “I always loved Cosby, good family humor. Why are 20 women coming out now when it’s 20, 30 years ago?”

Dan Emerson said he was glad there were no hecklers inside the venue. “Innocent until proven guilty. I’m hoping it’s not true and until I know otherwise I love him to death,” Emerson said.

Cosby, 77, is also scheduled to appear at the Budweiser Gardens in London on Thursday and at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton on Friday

The comedian, who starred as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992, earning a reputation as “America’s Dad,” has never been charged in connection with any of the sexual assault allegations. A 2005 lawsuit by a Pennsylvania woman was settled before it went to trial, and he is being sued by a woman who claims he molested her in 1974 and by three other women who allege they were defamed by the comedian when his representatives denied some of the allegations.

Most of the women say he drugged them before he assaulted them.

Hours before Cosby took the stage, attorney Gloria Allred said three more women are accusing the comedian of drugging and sexually assaulting them in Las Vegas or Los Angeles between 1981 and 1996. Allred said at a news conference in Los Angeles that the accusations are too old for criminal charges or lawsuits.

Phylicia Rashad, who played Cliff Huxtable’s wife Claire on “The Cosby Show,” defended her co-star in an interview Wednesday with ABC World News Tonight. Rashad said she believed the allegations are part of a campaign to ruin Cosby’s legacy.

“He’s a genius. He is generous, he’s kind, he’s inclusive,” said Rashad, who first spoke to Roger Friedman earlier this week for his Showbiz911 blog. “This is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of legacy.”

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic attended an alternative event that was organized to raise awareness of sexual assault at the same time as Cosby’s show.

Aatif Baskanderi said he put his six tickets up on the online site Kijiji after he and his family decided they couldn’t go in light of the allegations. He said six tickets that cost $600 went for just $220. He said they tried to get a refund but couldn’t.

___

Associated Press writer Frazier Moore in New York contributed to this story.

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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

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December 20, 2024

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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

5 days ago

December 18, 2024

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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