| For Immediate Release
November 29, 2007 to March 2, 2008 |
Media Contact: Kim Taylor KimTaylorPR@aol.com / 415/897-7772 Public Contact: Thomas R. Simpson thomas@afrosolo.org / 415/771-2376 Public Info: www.afrosolo.org / 415/771-AFRO (2376) |
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AfroSolo Theater Company presents
W. Allen Taylor's award-winning solo show
"Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins … In Search of My Father"
San Francisco premiere presented Feb. 14 to March, 2 2008
W. Allen Taylor's award-winning solo show
"Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins … In Search of My Father"
San Francisco premiere presented Feb. 14 to March, 2 2008
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| W. Allen Taylor |
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Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins is an inspiring, heartfelt story of self-discovery that celebrates Black culture and the rich legacy of Black radio. The 90-minute solo show tells the intimate story of Taylor's life-long search for his father, Bill Hawkins, the first Black disc jockey in Cleveland, Ohio. Infused with the lively sounds of rhythm & blues, gospel and jazz music that made Bill Hawkins so acclaimed, Taylor skillfully portrays a range of richly defined characters in the journey to discover his roots.
The one-man show received the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle Award for Best Solo Performance in 2006 and was critically acclaimed in Cleveland in 2007 where it inspired the posthumous induction of Bill Hawkins into the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio.
"In addition to our festival this year, we are very excited to present WTBH, which was part of our What's Your Story? Solo Performance Workshop in 1998 and 1999," said Thomas R. Simpson, founder and artistic director of AfroSolo. "W. Allen Taylor's intimate play about the search for his roots and his growth into a manhood, framed by his rich black culture, is an outstanding story to begin and expand our fifteenth season."
"Culminating with our award winning AfroSolo Arts Festival 15 to take place in August 2008, the WTBH presentation represents a fulfillment of our mission, 'to nurture, promote, and present the culture and experiences of African Americans and those from the African Diaspora through solo performances, and the visual and literary arts.' Through these arts, we endeavor to bring people of all ethnicities together to explore and share the human spirit that binds us all," said Simpson.
Taylor's theater career began in 1979 and includes performances in regional theaters around the country including critically acclaimed Off-Broadway companies Negro Ensemble Company and La Mama E.T.C. He performed on Broadway in August Wilson's Seven Guitars and has appeared on network television and in feature films. Taylor received his MFA from the American Conservatory Theatre. A drama professor, Taylor currently teaches and directs at the College of Marin, located just north of San Francisco.
Since its founding in 1993, AfroSolo has presented celebrity guests, such as the award-winning Broadway actor Ruby Dee; political humorist and activist Dick Gregory; blues and jazz legend Charles Brown; beloved poet, writer, and teacher June Jordan; Hall of Fame Member Mavis Staples; gospel artist Emmit Powell; and the works of over 115 emerging solo artists.
Listen to the captivating episode of National Public Radio "Lost and Found Sound" featuring W. Allen Taylor searching for his father's voice. Go to www.walkintalkin.com and click on media.
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| WHEN: | |
Feb. 14 to March 2, 2008 Preview performance Thursday, Feb. 14 / Opening Friday, Feb. 15 8 p.m. Thursdays – Pay What You Will 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays 3 p.m. Sundays |
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| LOCATION: | |
AfroSolo / African American Art & Culture Complex 762 Fulton Street @ Webster, San Francisco |
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| PARKING: | |
Free secured lot onsite. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| COST: | |
$15 to $20 $15 Students & Seniors – Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays $20 General – Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays All Thursday performances – Pay What You Will |
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| TICKETS: | |
Call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 Tickets also available at the door. |
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| FOR MORE INFO: | |
415-771-2376 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| WEBSITE: | |
www.afrosolo.org or www.walkintalkin.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| MEDIA CONTACT: | |
Kim Taylor at 415-897-7772 or KimTaylorPR@aol.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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To learn more about this award winning show and view downloadable photos visit the show website at www.walkintalkin.com