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About That Popular 'Black Films Don't Sell ...Filmed Stage Plays With Hollywood Stars - Who’s Watching?
Maybe I've just had my head in the sand (or clouds), and have only recently begun to recognize what feels like a proliferation of these filmed stage plays, some with and others without a live audience.
Often morality plays, they seem to becoming all the rage these days, thanks in part to the ease in distribution that DVD and the web provide.
I'd say over the last 6 months, I’ve noticed that there's a lot more marketing for them... again, unless, as I said already, that I've just not been paying attention. But my email inbox receives at least 3 announcements a week, alerting me to a new filmed play that's available for rent of purchase. I haven't posted any of them here, assuming that you folks likely won't be interested; but who am I to make that assumption! We have readers from all walks of life, and the fact that these filmed plays continue to see distribution means that there must be an audience for them; somebody must be buying them, even if it's not me.
I know the plays have been around for awhile, so I'm not talking about the plays specifically, but rather the packaging and selling of videotaped versions of them (or more like extended sitcoms, given the way they are set up and shot), and the fact that, even more noteworthy, several "name" actors and actresses are taking roles in them. Certainly not what the industry would label A-list talent (just going by industry labeling here), but still names that most of us would instantly recognize, like Robin Givens, Morris Chestnut, Brian White, Clifton Powell, N'Bushe Wright, Vivica Fox, Michelle Williams, and many more.
Obviously there's money being made here. I've never watched any of them (not in full anyway - just bits and pieces to see what they were like), so I can't really comment on them until I do.
So, I'm claiming ignorance on this, and I'll wait for someone with the knowledge and experience to enlighten me :)
Certainly Tyler Perry's success with the filmed versions of his stage plays, is of influence on the recent wave.
As a sample, here's one that I received just 2 days ago, which hit the marketplace yesterday, May1. It's called She’s Not Our Sister, and is described as a "biting, bickering and hilarious musical comedy that brings a contemporary tale of family, tragedy and triumph to life.
The story goes...
In this powerful play, three women experience a roller-coaster ride of emotions as they confront their father's death, long-buried family secrets and the startling revelation of an affair that almost tore their parents' marriage apart. She’s Not Our Sister is the highest-rated GMC World Premiere Gospel Play to date; and has since become a hit GMC television series titled, She’s Still Not Our Sister. The All-Star cast includes Kellita Smith (“The Bernie Mac Show”), Drew Sidora (“The Game”), Azur-De (Somebody Help Me 2), Christian Keyes (Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail), Clifton Powell (Ray), Tony Grant (“Why Did I Get Married” and “A Madea Christmas” stage plays) and Jazsmin Lewis (“Meet the Browns”).
I suppose for the actors, it's paid work - especially when work for black actors in Hollywood isn't exactly plentiful. And we could make the comparison to other filmed stage plays/musicals. For example, would you watch a video-taped version of any of the shows currently on Broadway (A Streetcar Named Desire, Porgy & Bess, Clybourne Park) if they were available? There's been a recent push to broadcast live stage shows in theaters around the world, for those who are not in the city in which the performance is taking place, or who can't afford to see the performance live. In essence, it gets the content to those folks who want it, but can't readily access it. A win/win situation if there ever was one. But is something lost in the experience - live and in person, or projected on a screen of any size?
Watch the trailer for it below; and then riddle me this: if you're a fan of these video-plays, school me:
19 Comments
SHOCKARD | May 4, 2012 2:01 PM
"Whoâs Watching?" Nobody...
Nadell | May 4, 2012 12:30 PM
It makes me angry and embarrassed to know that it has come to this for actors of caliber. N'Bushe Wright, Kellita Smith & Vivica Fox should NOT have to be reduced to this type of work.
Donella | May 3, 2012 2:09 PM
I watch them. Usually when I'm visiting an older member of my family and it comes on television. I attended TP's What's Done in the Dark (didn't enjoy it). However, I did rent TP's A Madea Christmas and the Marriage Counselor and thought both of those were well done. The Marriage Counselor had a downbeat ending, but was well done. These church-themed plays seem to go up and down based upon writing, stage direction, and acting ability. If the singing progresses the storyline, then it's fine. But if its just a lot of screaming and you can't understand the words, then it's annoying. Depends on the play!
Adam Scott Thompson | May 3, 2012 10:55 AM
After giving away a Sunday afternoon watching BET's Star Theater, I'm convinced that we as a people have taken a step back in theater -- both as producers and consumers. But, while discussing such plays with a supporter, I suddenly realized: black folks bring their "church sensibilities" to theater -- and movies. That's why we talk back to the screen (and piss other people off). Our first theater experience (in America) was during church. Call and response -- A & B selections from the choir -- grandiose statements pandering to the crowd -- it all originates with Sunday morning. Not to use them as a litmus test, per se, but white folks would never roll to a play where someone breaks out singing mid-act -- and it's not a musical -- and the song doesn't progress the narrative; but black people will, because that's what we get in church. And that's usually what supporters of this type of theater are seeking -- church-style entertainment, served by a preacher (playwright/director/producer/TP-wannabe) and his choir (cast/crew/anybody else drinking the Kool-Aid).
Emmett Period | May 2, 2012 8:42 PM
I hate when these plays sneak up on you, there are a few on Netflix. I also hate when black folks break out into R&B in the middle of a conversation.
pbjones | May 2, 2012 3:22 PM
Sometimes I feel like a snob when I encounter plays and films of this "genre". I just do not like them and I get exasperated whenever I see another advertisement. I love theater and I see many plays regionally and on Broadway. I'm a playwright and so is my husband and we are very serious when it comes to the art. What's maddening to me is that many of the people responsible for plays such as this are not doing it for the art, they are doing it for the money. I personally heard someone say as such. So how crazy is that? There are big bucks in plays such as this but African-Americans won't put their dollars to seeing something written by August Wilson, Lynn Nottage, etc.? The only time I have seen a lot of African Americans patron a play on that level is when there is a big star attached such as Denzel, Angela or Samuel. (And how does that affect actors trying to get a break?) However if I viewed those same plays regionally there wouldn't be many of us in the audience and I have encountered that over and over again. I think it is very frustrating for those of us who love the art and take it seriously, spend so much of our own time and money to put forth work that we believe is quality and makes a difference. Only to have no one show an interest in seeing it. Then at the same time you hear people say we need someone to tell our stories, different stories. Well I believe the stories are there. They just don't have a lot of support. And if no one will see an award- winning, Broadway play by an African American playwright what does that mean for the rest of us?
PoppaDokk | May 2, 2012 1:11 PM
THUMBS ALL THE WAYYYYYYYY DOWN!
CareyCarey | May 2, 2012 12:55 PM
"assuming that you folks likely won't be interested; but who am I to make that assumption! We have readers from all walks of life, and the fact that these filmed plays continue to see distribution means that there must be an audience for them" ~ Tambay. BINGO BABY... I mean Tambay. Now check this - "YOU FOLKS" are the optumum words. But first, this was a very fair post. I mean, it had it's usual - dare I say - "snobby" slant, but Tambay definitely sees the big picture. Nuff said, but who is "you folks"? Ut oh, that's when the sh*t gets sticky. Well, I believe this has little to do with those on Striver Row against dem negros on MLK drive. Could it be about industry folks vs common money paying black folks? You know, common like - they don't care if a film is shot on a cell phone as long as it moves them and entertains them? Y'all know, common like - the average black person who cannot tell you the deference between a A-line, B-Line or No-line black actor, nor do they care! Consequently, if they don't care, the sky's the limit -- and there's nothing wrong with that. In reality they have the best hand. You know, I'm talking about those common folks who don't waste their time nor energy putting down other black folks who do not share their movie tastes. Oh... and it might be quite some time before we're able to watch a video-taped version of any of the shows currently on Broadway (A Streetcar Named Desire, Porgy & Bess, Clybourne Park). Are you kidding me, some folks would cut off their nose to spite of their face. Before they let those common folks take away their false sense of superiority, they'll burn the freakin' house down and protest on wall street.
Ali | May 2, 2012 11:26 AM
I have to say this looks worse than a lot of the past ones and they weren't exactly good.
Akimbo | May 2, 2012 11:18 AM
I disike most of the people who do these, plays especially that non-acting Jaszmin Lewis, so it's very easy for me to avoid them. I do wish Kellita Smith had better opportunities; she's so much better than most of the stuff she does..
donnadara | May 2, 2012 11:03 AM
Looks like an '80s style "Mama" play to me. Sorry to see serious actors involved in it. Please don't compare this to Broadway.