Soar at the top

Soar at the top

I've been up to the peak of the mountain 

and basqued in the glory of the beauty above.

I've sunk in those valleys, abysses of fret 

and cried all the sorrows of the push and the shove.

I danced in the bliss, the chaos, the peace 

and reveled in wearing your heart like a glove.

But now that its over, with laughter and tears, 

I find myself mourning our journey of love. 

Bound

What is this hold you’ve got on me?

Inhale/exhale and still can’t breathe.

I tell a tale but it just can’t be

as strong a story as your hold on me.

You smiled at me, I took a step.

You winked, I blinked. My heart it leapt

to you and using all it felt

I ran to taste, no haste, the waste.

Your floor was free. Twas new to me:

a treasure I was bound to hold.

Twas gold in light, in dark a spark

that bound me to your love.

The days went by, the weeks, the years.

I danced my pain. I sang my tears.

I dreamed, it seemed, with what I found

Yet what I got was bound.

This hold you have, you won’t let go.

I run away, you pull the rope you tied. 

I cried for mercy, longed for joy.

You lied, seduced, made me your toy.

With wings anew I fly away

Yet as I leave I long to stay.

This hold you have, it choked my breath.

it choked my heart,  it choked my head .

I stand in fog, my life in pieces

Longing for what your soul releases.

Frozen, static place in time.

 A line you say, my heart  I bind.

'Red Tails' 60 Years Later, Still Fighting a War

Hey guys!

I recently posted support on Facebook for George Lucas 'Red Tails', the movie about the Tuskegee Airmen and their valiant efforts during World War II. Hollywood distribution companies did mot want to sponsor the movie claiming that an all-black cast would not sell as well without a major white character written into it. "Vote with your dollars.  Go see Red Tails on opening weekend and send a message to Hollywood execs that an all black cast can be as profitable as any other." I also asked my cousin, Lah Tere, a hip hop activist and social justice advocate to send to her followers.  She sent me a link to a blogger's essay about supporting the movie 'Pariah' instead of 'Red Tails', and asked me for my opinion.

(http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7406343060284054429#editor/target=post;postID=5119878895812692735)

Ms. Bell, the blogger, makes a case for supporting 'Pariah', a movie about a Black teenager in Harlem coming to terms with her sexuality and how that affects her relationship with her mother, instead of 'Red Tails'.

Now, here's the deal.  I will be seeing 'Pariah'.  As soon as I saw the previews for the movie my heart was riveted and it made the top of my list of films to see. Yet, if we are talking about making a point and sending a message, 'Red Tails' is the film that will do that.  'Pariah', unfortunately, does not have the same marketing machine that 'Red Tails' has. Yes, the movie has a higher budget, and will probably be formulaic and not delve deep into certain issues.  But it is a mainstream movie that will have a wider reach.  Particularly because George Lucas was able to appear on The Daily Show and make a case for this movie is why we need to support it.  This is a movie made the same way that other movies it will be compared to were made.  There is no handicap in film making for this movie.  It's budget is about the same as other movies of it's kind, the director is the creator of one of the most recognizable movie franchises in the world and the past three generations, and it's stars are internationally known and award winning actors. Yet, in the 21st century, the people who shape the mainstream are unwilling to fund it because it's an all black cast. People on the internet have gone wild extending the conversation about this issue: not only the marketing issue, but the fact that it took over twenty years for this movie to get made.

Well, finally, the movie is made and the issue is up and being spoken about. Whereas 'Pariah', I expect, is a wonderfully deep movie, 'Red Tails' or the idea of supporting 'Red Tails' has, even before it's opening become more than a film, it has become a meme. (Okay, fine, I was looking for an excuse to call something a meme.  It's not quite a meme but it has made it's way into the national conversation.) This movie has become, in a way, part of a fight for social justice and equality.  The same can certainly be said for 'Pariah', which puts LGBT issue at the forefront.  But whereas the Civil Rights movement is finally becoming an adolescent in our history, the Gay Rights movement is a toddler and at this moment in our time, giving 'Red Tails' a big opening weekend paves the way for more movies like 'Pariah' to be made and funded.  Comparing these two movies falls into the 'apples to oranges' category, but as a strategy in social politics one choice is stronger than the other.

In addressing the issue, criticism has come forth about both George Lucas and Tyler Perry.  The former mentions the latter as the example of black filmmakers.  George Lucas is criticized for the character of Jar Jar Binks in one of his movies, but as my friend Ed Weathers pointed out to me, this is also the guy who wanted to cast a mostly Japanese cast for one of his Star Wars movies because it better suited the story and his influence by Kurosawa but was also told no at the time. I personally would have preferred that he intended for there to be more Spike Lees than Tyler Perrys but we also have to face the fact that Tyler Perry has made more films dealing with the African American experience that have crossed over to mainstream America than Spike Lee has.  Again, not giving one more artistic credit than the other. His movies might seem watered down, run of the mill, trite stories of the Black community, but he has moved those stories into the living rooms of other American racial communities that otherwise wouldn't have seen them.  He has been able to make non-Blacks relate to the African American experience through his films.  Because of Spike Lee there is a Tyler Perry and hopefully by supporting the cause of support for 'Red Tails' there will be more Dee Reeses and Lee Danielses and more movies by all these filmmakers funded, marketed, and distributed the same way that other films are.

So go see 'Red Tails' this weekend, and don't miss 'Pariah'.

This is Tony and that is what's going on.


 

Una poesia a mi familia

 

El silencio fue más fácil a tu lado

Cuando el soplo de un instante

Transporta la canción a un jardín distante.

Cuando el mañana vuela en las alas de esperanza

Y en el ayer, con sus hazañas, solo hay rastros de añoranza,

Descansa el perdón en zapatillas del pasado.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado.

Cuando las letras, marullos arrollados,

Se encienden y se estallan, sentimientos atrapados;

Cuando una mano torcida y un ceño fruncido

Acceden a un segundo, amor eterno extendido,

Entonces sobran palabras, el silencio es hablado.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado.

Cuando una conspiración divina con fuerza y sin freno

Abarcó mi universo desde la punta de un trueno.

Y bifurcándose ambivalente entre las sombras de un elogio

Catalizó la metamorfosis de armonía en agobio

El silencio fue prendido y a gritos arropado.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado.

Expuesto, pues, a millones de letras en soledad

Ni el ceño, ni la mano, encienden tu majestad.

Solo el recuerdo, la memoria de un ayer,

Le presenta al presente razón a resplandecer.

El silencio fue mas fácil a tu lado

Pues con el amor que dejaste, el silencio es apagado.

A Papi, Mami y Mari

1/11/12

At the intersection of Theater and Life

My latest theatrical project has me living at the intersection of theater and social work.  Pregones Theater, whom I am incredibly grateful to, is launching an Anti-Violence Theater Marathon by premiering Inside Out, an interactive forum theater play that raises awareness about violence and bullying against LGBT teens, and makes us think critically about the safe haven we create or destroy for each other. 

I recently read an Elie Wiesel quote: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation.  We must always take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”  I realized that in avoiding confrontation and possible retaliation I have been neutral and silent for way too long.  In trying to see all possible sides of a situation, my inaction has been empowering the oppressor, prolonging and validating behaviors that keep social progress stagnant. Now, using theater, the medium that I love and have been working through for so long, I have the chance to stand up to educate others on how to prevent bullying by identifying precursors to violence.

Some bullies are obvious. They’re abrasive, domineering, brash, threatening and loud. Others use comedy and charm to win over the general population while making disparaging remarks (in the form of jokes) that eventually create a group bias against someone that is obviously different than the rest.  Sometimes it’s tough because the one making the jokes is your friend and on a daily basis you see all the good qualities that he or she has and from your perspective there is nothing wrong with what they say cause ‘that’s just their sense of humor and didn’t mean anything by it.’ In reality, by not calling your friend out, you are being neutral and encouraging the tormentor.  Sometimes these people just need to hear how big of an idiot they sound like with the things that they say.

I’m glad that using theater I now get the chance to expose kids to the arts and to make them think critically about the way we relate to one another. 

Here’s a couple of random thoughts and facts:

• Some school principals and teachers are still hesitant to deal with the subject of violence against LGBT teens.  It’s ridiculous that with the amount of suicides that have been recorded in the recent past, there would still be such a resistance on behalf of adults to talk about this.
• Physical abuse is not the beginning of domestic violence.  Men get physical with women when the verbal and emotional abuse has reached its climax and the women make a move to leave.
• In promoting that marriages don’t break up, churches are not only of little help in DV cases, but they often recommend the victim stays in potentially harmful situations and submits to her husband. (Jesus is not proud of this!)
• HIV infection rates among Black and Latino gay teens are as high as they were in the 80’s. YIKES!!
• DADT was the epitome of silence empowering the oppressor.  Instead of calling out the victimizers, the government made the victims shut up.
• Senior citizens are victims of violence and abuse on behalf of their own families and are often ignored about it.
• The reason gay marriage passed in New York and is being advocated for is not only a social nor a moral issue but a legal one, and protects some heterosexual couples as well.  Family Court protects only those that are married by law and intervene in any case where abuse is reported. Anyone who is not married by law, though, has to report their cases of domestic or partner abuse in Criminal Court, which means that they have to wait until a crime is committed to get judicial protection.  IN other words, unless you are physically harmed, even though you’ve been in danger for a long time, the system can’t protect you.  If we are indeed as a nation setting out to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” then we need to ensure that all citizens are protected.

Anyway, this blog entry is a bit soap-boxy and I don’t care.  I’m glad I get to use the passion of music and drama to provide options to create a better world for others.  At times I have questioned what it is that I stand for and why it is that I do it all for.  Well, now you know.  Commercial and intellectual art is great and I really enjoy it…I enjoy even more that it allows me to do art that changes and touches lives.

This is Tony…and that’s what’s going on!

Theatre kids love a little harder- Babes in Arms

Well, it's about an hour before the call for final dress rehearsal of 'Babes in Arms' at Stagedoor. Everything that had to be taught has been taught. Everything that had to be rehearsed has been rehearsed. Everything that had to be polished has been polished. For the next hour or so there is nothing I can do except reflect on this process, pray that everything works out the way it's supposed to, and enjoy all the fluttery palpitations of emotions in my heart.

There's a time warp at Stagedoor Manor. The full experience is three weeks, but there's really about ten days to put up a show; two rehearsals a day, three during production week. It seems, though, as if we've been at this for months. The 'form, storm, and norm' group dynamics happen within hours, almost minutes of each other. In very little time I've gotten to know and love these kids and a lot.

I've directed and choreographed them through every moment on stage hopefully making the rehearsal process a productive, fun, and memorable one. Now the baton has shifted from my hands to the stage manager's and its time to wait, and let them do their job. There's a mix of nervousness, anxiety, excitement and hopefulness swimming in my chest. Like a proud papa and teacher, I'm eagerly waiting to see them shine on the stage.

All kids are special, but theatre kids are one of a kind. They love a little harder, feel a little stronger, and give a little more. As a director, I'm just a grown up theatre kid and I hope that love shines through during dress rehearsal and performance weekend.

Until I return from camp,
This is Tony...and Theatre camp is what's going on.

A 10-Year Old Kid Who Feels Old!

A 10-year old with a face full of fret comes up to me at the end of rehearsal this morning and says,

Kid: "Tony, I feel old!"

Tony: "You feel old? Sweetie how old are you?"

K: (sigh) "Ten."

T: "You feel old at ten? How old would you want to be?"

K: "I'd like to be a baby. Cause they get loved all the time and have nothing to worry about."


What in the world?!?! How is a child, at 10, so preoccupied with life and love that she feels like an old person? What is going on in that young mind and heart that is bringing this girl down? I personally don't want to be there if she ever receives a rejection letter from her dream college. What kind of pressure is building in this child's life?

This camp is supposed to "a positive theatrical experience for every camper". And Lord knows I'm doing my share, but when a kid comes in with baggage like this, there is little one can do to get her out of the hole. I wish you well little one! And as I told her I tell you: There is no need to worry. The best thing God created was one day after another. Always try your hardest and give it your best, and the rest will take care of yourself, but worrying...that will take you nowhere!