Pegasus produces awarding-winning play
about the impact of HIV/AIDS from May 17- June 16, launches new reading series

CHICAGO – Pegasus Players closes its 2011-2012 season with the award-winning play In the Continuum written by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter. In the Continuum runs from May 16 to June 17, 2012, at 4520 N. Beacon Street in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, the new home for the well-known theatre company.

Opening/Press Night is Saturday, May 19 at 8 p.m. Named by The New York Times as one of the top ten plays of 2005, In The Continuum offers the audience a seamless, multifaceted story of betrayal, denial
and self-discovery. The play follows the lives of Abigail and Nia, one from South Central LA and the other from Harare, Zimbabwe, as each one learns that they have contracted HIV. Both women take parallel and darkly comic journeys as they attempt to confront family and friends with their tragic revelation while navigating the new course set before them.

The play received its world premiere in September 2005 at Primary Stages in New York City. In 2007, it premiered in Chicago, receiving high praise and a Jeff Recommendation. This season, Pegasus remounts this funny yet deeply moving two-person play featuring Samantha Bailey and Ashleigh Lathrop. Ilesa
Duncan, producing artistic director of Pegasus, is the director. This will be Pegasus’s first main stage production in its new location.

Profiles:
Ilesa Duncan (Director/Producing Artistic Director) recently directed the acclaimed production of THE NATIVITY for Congo Square Theatre at the Goodman. In addition to the last several festival productions, her recent directing work includes THE GIMMICK and SHAPE OF A GIRL (Pegasus Players), BLUE SHADOW (Lifeline Theatre), HOPE SIX (Chicago Dramatists) and CROWNS for the Contemporary American Theater Company in Columbus Ohio. Other direction at Pegasus includes Jeff Award nominated TICK, TICK BOOM as well as HEATWAVE, BREATH BOOM, EV'RY TIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT, and four Young Playwrights Festivals (DINE & HASH, BLOOMING FLOWERS IN WEEDS, IN YOUR DREAMS and GRACE). Some
favorites include the Jeff award-winning comedy LOVE CHILD (Theater on the Lake, Chicago Theater Co., and Live Bait Theater), SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY, (CTC), WAITING TO BE INVITED (Victory Gardens), SARAFINA (Fleetwood Jourdain at Next Theatre), A RAISIN IN THE SUN (CATCO), F**KING A (Theatre School at DePaul), and RED RAIN at Lincoln Center Theatre/HERE in New York.

As the new Artistic Director at Pegasus Players, Ilesa is a member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Director's Lab, and a NEA/TCG Directing Fellow. She is also Associate Artist with PanAmerica Performance Works (formerly Latino Chicago) and Chicago Dramatists.

In addition to company’s full production, Pegasus will launch a new reading series this month. The first public reading -- Dana Lynn Formby’s new play If You Split a Second -- will take place on Saturday, April 28 at 5 p.m. at Pegasus. A donation of$5 is requested for the reading, directed by Emmi Hilger. Additional details on future readings will be listed at www.pegasusplayers.org.

IN THE CONTINUUM LISTING INFORMATION
Performance Times
Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.
Cast
Samantha Bailey
Ashleigh Lathrop
Production Team
Director: Ilesa Duncan
Scenic Design: Jackie and Rick Penrod
Lighting Design: Mike Durst
Sound Design: Christopher Kriz
Costume Design: Christine Pascual
Props Design: Angelica Gutierrez
Production Manager: Dre Robinson

Tickets
Preview tickets are $15. Regular run tickets are $25. All tickets can be purchased online at www.pegasusplayers.org or by calling Ovation Tix at 1-866-811-4111. For more information on group sales and preview discounts, contact Pegasus’ box office at 773.878.8864. Discounts for previews and group tickets are available.

by Kam Williams

The Avengers is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise launched in 2008 with Iron Man, and followed by The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America. What makes this adventure unique is that it’s the first in the series to revolve around a team of comic book superheroes.   

The actors playing those title characters reprise their roles with the exception of Edward Norton who has been replaced as The Hulk by Mark Ruffalo. Otherwise, we again have Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man, and Chris Evans as Captain America. The film also features the return of Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, who appeared in Thor and Iron Man 2, respectively.       

Since we’ve already met all the members of The Avengers, director Josh Whedon doesn’t have to waste time familiarizing us with their unique abilities. Instead, the plot unfolds right on the heels of the post-closing credits scene of the previous sequel which had Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) ominously enlisting the assistance of Captain America for a dangerous mission with global ramifications.

So, it’s no surprise that, at this picture’s point of departure, we find Fury assembling The Avengers. After all, as the director of the top secret espionage agency, S.H.I.E.L.D. (an acronym for Strategic Home Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), it is his job to protect humanity, especially from a diabolical villain bent on world domination.     

In this case, that would be Thor’s evil, presumably-exiled brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who has managed not only to escape from an outer space abyss on Asgard but has gotten his hands on the Tesseract, a cosmic cube containing the key to limitless, sustainable energy. With Loki en route to Earth, it falls to Fury to plan a coordinated defense of the planet.

That task proves easier said than done, since it calls for cooperation among individualistic superheroes with fragile egos who aren’t used to sharing the limelight. Thus, we are treated to pre-showdown posturing when Iron Man teases Thor about both his accent and costume by asking, “Doth mother know thy wear her drapes?” Or when he sarcastically compliments Dr. Bruce Banner (aka The Hulk) by saying, “I’m a big fan of how you lose control and turn into a giant green monster.”      

Of course, such witty banter subsides in favor of camaraderie once Loki arrives with his army of alien warriors called Chitauri. Each Avenger’s talent comes in handy, of course, during the ensuing, eye-grabbing fight sequences, including Hawkeye’s bow-and-arrow, Thor’s hammer, Captain America’s shield, and so forth.   

Between a sophisticated script and thrill-a-minute special effects, The Avengers easily adds up to the best Marvel Comics screen adaptation yet. A remarkable treat which only serves to ramp-up audience expectations for the vaunted franchise’s next offering, Iron Man 3.

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated PG-13 for intense violence and a drug reference.

Running time: 142 minutes

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Christina Milian -- Photo by: Lewis Jacobs/NBC

Born in New Jersey on September 26, 1981, but raised in Waldorf, Maryland, Christina Milian is a versatile talent whose resume includes film, television, theater and music. She recently appeared in the television movie "The Christmas Cupid" and on "CSI" and enjoyed a recurring role as the voice of Esther on "Family Guy."

She also starred in the last installment of the popular "Bring It On" franchise, entitled "Bring It On: Fight to the Finish." Prior to that, Milian's feature-film credits include "Pulse," "Be Cool," "Man of the House," "Love Don't Cost a Thing," "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Torque."     

Christina kickstarted her showbiz career at a young age, when she became a junior journalist on the Disney Channel's "Movie Surfers." Before igniting her musical journey, she appeared on such TV shows as "Clueless," "Sister, Sister," "Smart Guy," "Charmed," "The Steve Harvey Show" and as a recurring character on "Get Real."

Christina's "It's About Time," released on Island/Def Jam Recordings, featured the mega-hit "Dip It Low" which combined a unique blend of urban, Latin and pop sound. Her self- titled debut, "Christina Milian," produced the hit "AM to PM."

She moved to California at the young age of 13 and was selected to sing the hook on Ja Rule's No. 1 hit single, "Between Me and You." The enormous success of the song introduced her to the mainstream music world and gave her commercial success.

Christina subsequently co-wrote the Jennifer Lopez hit "Play" and she was one of the co-writers of Justin Bieber's smash "Baby." Here, she talks about serving as the Social Media Correspondent on NBC’s The Voice, where she brought viewers closer to the competition as bridge between the on-air and online experiences. That enabled the show’s fans to appreciate the entire production process through exclusive interviews, video, photos, news about the coaches and artists and a live twitter feed on the official website http://www.nbc.com/ the-voice/.

Christina Milian -- Photo by: Lewis Jacobs/NBC

Kam Williams: Hi Christina, thanks for the interview.

Christina Milian: Thank you, Kam.

KW: What interested you in being the Social Media Correspondent on NBC’s The Voice?

CM: Well, I thought it was an interesting concept when they approached me with the idea, because I’ve always been heavily engaged with my fans on the internet from day one. That connection’s one of the reasons why I’ve been able to enjoy such longevity in my career. I guess NBC must have noticed that one of my main staples is social media. So, when they approached me for The Voice, I thought “Why not be the first one to do it?”

KW: When do you work in that capacity? Just during the hours when the show is on the air?

CM: No, all the time. I tweet day and night about the show, and the entire time while it’s airing. So, the fans are completely engaged while it’s on. But I constantly get messages asking questions about the stars of The Voice. I also posted a ton of interviews I’ve done with all the artists, the coaches and the advisers on the show. So, I do my job 24/7.

KW: What do you think of the show’s blind audition format?

CM: I love it! That’s what make our show unique and gives it so much more integrity. After all, the show is called The Voice. It’s about vocals, and you have to stand out to get the attention of these four, Grammy-winning superstars who have an amazing ear and know what they’re talking about. They rely on their ear as well as the reaction of fans in the audience to figure out whether that contestant is worth pressing that red button for. It’s a great concept which keeps everybody on the edge of their seat. It’s also kind of scary because sometimes they don’t press the button for people who do have the talent and do have the look. You just never know what’s going to happen.

KW: Do you ever disagree with the judges?  

CM: Oh, there have been moments. But remember, I’m watching the actual person. I can’t say what I would do if I were turned around and couldn’t see them.

KW: How hard is it to get on the show? How many people applied?

CM: We have thousands and thousands. Over 30,000 people auditioned all around the country to get down to the final 100+ who made the cut.

KW: You’re multi-talented: singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, model and now you’ve added correspondent. Which one is your favorite?

KB: I’m an entertainer, period. But I’d probably have to say my passion is in singing. I’m willing to go broke singing. [LOL]

KW: What’s coming up for you, musically?

CM: Big things are about to happen. I’ve recently signed a new record deal and I’m already in the studio working on my next album.

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KW: Larry Greenberg says: I'm trying to promote an independent film I made on social media, mainly Facebook. It can be overwhelming. Do you have any tips about the best way to reach fans online?

CM: Definitely pay attention to things like hashtags and to what’s trending at the moment. Try to connect to what’s hot and to reach out to and to follow the right people. You never know who might retweet you and help you get some more followers.   

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

CM: Are you a different person in front of the camera than the person you are behind closed doors? I used to be, but no longer. I find I don’t need to be polished. I feel that you have to keep it real, and that’s the best way to go.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

CM: I have had fear in the past, yes. I’ve learned to fight it. But I still have my moments. I just have to remind myself that fear is all within your mind, and that you’re only holding yourself back when you give in to it. Even fear of success can be scary. Just get over it!

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

CM: Very happy! I’m extremely happy!

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh? 

CM: Oh my gosh! This morning, after I woke up from a dream in which I was crying. [Giggles] I was crying really hard, and I had a good laugh telling my friends why I had this long, drawn-out crying dream. It was really funny because I hadn’t had a dream like that in a long time. 

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

CM: There are so many. I make a great lasagna. I also like making piccadillo. It’s a Cuban dish with ground beef, tomato sauce, garlic and olives served over rice, with plantains. My ex-husband and all my boyfriends love it.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks: What is your favorite charity?

CM: Penny Lane. It’s part of Children Uniting Nations, which mentors children in foster care, so that they can have a good life after they leave the foster care system.

KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?

CM: Work! Opportunities! And the chance to help my family.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

CM: Barbara Bui.

KW: Dante Lee, author of "Black Business Secrets,” asks: What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?

CM: My best was to become a songwriter. I can’t say that I have a worst, because I don’t have any regrets.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

CM: [Chuckles] A wise, proud happy person.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

CM: Oh man! Can we just keep it real? To win the jackpot in the lottery. [LOL]

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?  

CM: My mom was a cheerleader and had me as a teenager. I remember her giving me some pom-poms and teaching me how to do some splits when I was 3 or 4.

KW: The Mike Pittman question: Who was your best friend as a child?

CM: Myself, my mom, and then, when I was about 7, I became close friends with a girl named Christie Collins, even though our families were so different. We lived across from each other

KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share? 

CM: The will to never give up and to be fearless. That’s what I have. You have to be outspoken.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

CM: As a happy, humble person, and as someone who motivated others to never give up.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Christina, and I hope to talk to you again when the new album is released.

CM: That would be great, Kam. Thanks!

Bean Soup Times has united with FraserNet, Inc., The Empowerment Experiment (EE), and Black business advocates to promote "cash mobs" in seven major cities.

Nationally recognized entrepreneur George Fraser, CEO of FraserNet and Maggie Anderson, CEO of The Empowerment Experiment, and Black business advocates launch their first Cash Mob (Noir), an event that will demonstrate the economic value and benefit of supporting local, quality, Black-owned businesses.

The Cash Mob (Noir) operates the same way as a flash mob, but with one major difference: instead of "flashing" the mob will be "spending cash" at a Black-owned business.

Participants in the Cash Mob (Noir) will spend at least $20 at local Black businesses in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC/Prince George's County, MD between 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 19 to demonstrate the great buying power of Black consumers. When Black consumers consistently spend more money with Black-owned businesses, the community will see improvement, by way of recycled dollars and job creation. Supporting Black businesses will change lives.

Additionally there will be a Mob-Mixer afterwards at a Black-owned lounge from 7-9 PM to celebrate and network.

Visit: www.frasernet.com or www.eefortomorrow.com for more details

“We have many people to thank but our first thank you is to God, always. We are so grateful to prosecutors James McKay, Jennifer Bagby and Veryl Gambino and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and her team for their dedication and tireless work from the beginning.”

“We have the best police department and they have been with us every step of the way. We thank all of the State’s witnesses who came forward on our behalf.”

“We have felt the love and support from people all over the world and we’re very grateful. We want to extend a prayer from the Hudson family to the Balfour family.”

“We have all suffered terrible loss in this tragedy. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them (2 Corinthian 4:3-4). It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday.”

Because they are the past and the present and the future.

African American author encourages coloring as platform for child development –

Dallas, TX -- Growing up, author and illustrator Setria James did not make the best grades, but she discovered a strong artistic ability through coloring and began excelling in art classes. She subsequently followed this passion through her college education, studying fine arts and graphic design. Setria recently tapped into her love of coloring and interest in child development by single-handedly authoring and illustrating the Doodles Coloring Fun book line under her Doodles Avenue brand.

Setria published the coloring book collection to encourage children's artistic expression, provide a fun platform for learning, and aid in their overall development. The series delves into a variety of interesting and educational subjects, such as animals, insects, flowers, food, safety, travel destinations, and United States history. Each book is filled with Setria's original drawings, themed facts, and activities, which address some of the biggest concerns parents face, including education, health, safety, and cultural awareness.

Ten coloring books have now been released under the Doodles Avenue brand, including the award-winning first edition of Doodles Alphabet Coloring Fun. According to Setria, "Coloring helped cultivate my creativity as a child and inspire my career in graphic design, which is why I wanted to produce Doodles Coloring Fun. If my books can inspire other kids to be creative and help them learn about their world in the process, then I've accomplished my goal. Doodles Coloring Fun has a level of substance I wish my childhood coloring books contained, with imaginative sketches and educational facts."

Setria attended Texas Woman's University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Masters of Art degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Says Setria, "Coloring stimulated my career path and my passion for the arts. My lifelong love of coloring continues through the Doodles Coloring Fun collection, but now I'm paying it forward."

The Doodles Coloring Fun series is available exclusively on Amazon.com.

If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Setria James, please email doodlesave@aol.com. High-res photos are available to the media upon request.

James Campbell’s new book The Color of War: How one battle broke Japan and another changed America is the story of the critical battle for Saipan, where for the first time in WWII black troops were sent to the frontlines to fight side-by-side with white Marines. It also details the massive and little known explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Ammunition Depot in July 1944, and the resulting mutiny trial of 50 African-American sailors who were on duty that day-- a trial which would transform race relations in the military and in America.

 Imagine that you’re an African-American in 1943. You live in the fiercely racist South and have heard that the military is looking for strong, patriotic black men. The local recruiter fills your head with visions of glory: You’ll serve as a sailor aboard a destroyer or a submarine, or carry a rifle on the frontlines among your white Marine comrades. When you return from the war, you’ll be treated like a hero.

 Fast forward six months. If you opted for the Marines, you’re working with a malarial control unit in the swamps of North Carolina among the mosquitoes and snakes. Or you’re sent to Saipan where you and your fellow black Marines manage to unload 6,000 tons of essential equipment each day.

 The Japanese are trying to kill you, and you are unarmed. You pray. Later, as casualties mount, a colonel hands you a rifle and sends you into battle alongside seasoned white Marines.

 If you opted for the Navy, you’re sent to the Port Chicago Naval Ammunition Depot near San Francisco, a base that reminds you of a prison work camp or a plantation – white officer overseers and black workers. You’re ordered to load bombs that you’ve never been trained to handle onto ships that will pave the way for Marine assaults of the Pacific islands. “One day this place is going to explode to Kingdom Come,” is what your fellow sailors say.

 One day it does – July 17, 1944 – with nearly the force of an atomic bomb. Three hundred and twenty men die. Another 390 are injured. Most are black sailors.

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Almost six thousand miles away, Admirals Ernest King and Chester Nimitz celebrate the end of the brutal battle for Saipan, an island that would become the launching pad for U.S. bombers headed for Japan.  According to historian Donald Miller, seizing Saipan was “as important to victory over Japan as the Normandy invasion was to victory over Germany.”

 Weeks later, the Navy blames the Port Chicago sailors for the explosion. And when you and the other survivors refuse to handle ammunition again, it launches the largest mutiny trial in U.S. history. Thurgood Marshall, chief counsel for the NAACP and future Supreme Court Justice, attends. When the Navy court convicts and sentences you and 49 more men for mutiny, Marshall handles your appeal and mobilizes the black community for a struggle that will  foreshadow the country’s bitter Civil Rights battle.

 Using extensive research and first-hand interviews with veteran white Marines and black Marines and African-American sailors who survived Port Chicago, Campbell  crafted The Color of War to paint a gripping picture of July 1944, the explosive month that changed the course of history. The Color of War juxtaposes the spirit of the Greatest Generation with the scars of segregation.

This June, in a timely and fitting tribute, the black Marines who fought in Saipan will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their WWII service.

THE COLOR OF WAR

How One Battle Broke Japan and Another Changed America

James Campbell

 List $30.00 Trade Hardcover  $14.99 Kindle edition

512 pages  Published by Crown Publishing

Official Publication date May 15, 2012

ISBN-10: 0307461211 ISBN-13: 978-0307461216

Historical non-fiction

 From the acclaimed World War II writer and author of The Ghost Mountain Boys, an incisive retelling of the key month, July 1944, that won the war in the pacific and ignited a whole new struggle on the home front.

CHICAGO—Kam Williams, the most popular Bean Soup Times contributing journalist ever is returning to the publication to help share news and information about Black celebrities as well as provide his insightful reviews on movies, DVDs and books to Bean Soup Times readers.

“Both in print and online, Kam Williams has penned some of our greatest articles. He’s done wonderful one-on-one interviews with many of the top Black entertainers of our time such as Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey, Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah and many more,” said Toure Muhammad, Bean Soup Times publisher.

A syndicated writer for 100 plus publications around the U.S. and Canada, in 2008 Kam was voted Most Outstanding Journalist of the Decade by the Disilgold Soul Literary Review. He is a member of the New York Film Critics Online, the Black Film Critics Circle, the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee, and Rotten Tomatoes.

“He’s an excellent reviewer of movies and books; always giving his honest opinion with clarity and class. We are very happy to get him back with us,” added Toure.

In addition to a BA in Black Studies from Cornell, he has an MA in English from Brown, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a JD from Boston University. Kam lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and son.

Spending her first Mothers’ Day without her son must be very difficult, buy Sybrina Fulton is not only thinking about her loss, but the loss of all mothers who have lost their children to senseless gun violence.

“I know it will be hard, but my faith, family and friends will pull me through. On Sunday I’m going to say a prayer for other mothers across America who share this unbearable pain. Just like me, 30,000 mothers lost their children, this year, to senseless gun violence. Nobody can bring our children back, but it would bring us comfort if we could spare other mothers the pain that we will feel on Mother’s Day and every day for the rest of our lives.”

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