Entertainment

Reel-ality TV

Published

10 years ago

March 2, 2015

By Marquesa LaDawn
NNPA Columnist

While most of the nation has been buried under mountains of snow and slapped in the face by sub-freezing temperatures, noting has been colder than friendships among the RHOBH in warm, sunny California this season.

Even the housewives finding out they where going to Amsterdam didn’t stem the drama. Just imagine being on a private jet with Babyface when the queens enter and start throwing their verbal knives. Kim Richards was egged on by Brandi as usual and got deep into her feelings and let Lisa R. have it. Her poor sister Kyle, just sat there in shock. Once that passed, it seemed like a somewhat peaceful ride.

Brandi heard it all and defended herself in her usual way. You know Brandi, a/k/a Ms. Attack. But let’s face it, she makes the show. We have a love/hate relationship with her. She had her buddies Kim Richards and Yolanda back her up for a while. But, she really needs no one and she brings the fireworks like no other!

Kim was in the hot chair as well, and it got real emotional. Put emotions and women in the same room and you got fire! All I want to know is, does she ever accept any responsibility for anything?

The newbies, Lisa R. and Eileen, held their own and kept it real and honest. It’s refreshing seeing Lisa R, so real. I love it! She tries so hard to be the nice girl but it’s impossible in the RHOBH world. She said on WWHL with Andy Cohen, that she is happy to have survived the reunion but it was not easy. I loved that viewers, when polled, let her know that she is the right one in the Kim Richards battle.

Lisa V, felt good to not be the main victim this round. It will be interesting to see how vocal she is after experiencing so much pain the previous season.

Kyle, was rumored to be one of the most emotional at the reunion with the sister drama this season. I was so proud of how she owned her own feelings. She had to let her mixed up and sometimes alcoholic sister deal with her own stuff. Kyle, who is normally quiet with her real feelings, let it out this season. You get a gold star Kyle!

Yolanda, stayed for a while at the reunion and supported Brandi as usual but had to leave because of her illness. First of all, I’m praying for Yolanda, I hate that she’s dealing with this lyme disease. Aside from her incredible strength, I admire how she’s been able to position herself as the “queen of nice” on the show but still have a voice. Don’t get me wrong, she’s had her moments, but in most scenes, she living the life with a wonderful successful husband, a beautiful home, a sexy yoga instructor, with the best of everything, including celebrity friends. And she’s so darn modest. She’s able to participate in just a bit of the drama and she’s loyal to a fault, Brandi, anyone? Ok, I’ll stop being jealous. Love ya Yolanda!

Here’s an inside scoop: the RHOBH reunion was just taped and my source tells me it was the juiciest reunion broadcast in years. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the Oscars pre-empted RHOA, but we were teased with a peek of what’s coming next. It was real chilling to hear Apollo say, “ I’m now going asunder.” Wow! Translation: He going to prison. Still, he projected a chipper attitude along the way.

Chipper is not how I would describe his wife, Phaedra. She hired a security team. Yep, she did, and seemed relieved that he was gone. It was kinda sad.

Over in Kenya land, Cynthia shared the Mr. Chocolate as being Phaedra’s lover rumor and well hell broke loose and the scene ended. I suspect Kenya feels that Phaedra is a hypocrite and she plans to tell her so. After all, the ladies did call Kenya a loose lady all season, or less flattering words that effect. What they will say next?

Marquesa LaDawn is a professional businesswoman who escapes the pressures of living in New York City by retreating into the real world of reality TV.Subscribe to her podcast at www.RealitytvGirl.com.

###

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Stevie Wonder: How He Became a Ladies’ Man

Don't Miss

Superhero Diversity: What Michelle Rodriguez Gets Wrong About Hollywood Casting

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

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

Published

21 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

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

3 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