| Body Language Written and directed by Mike Ajakwe, Jr. Click here for video preview.  |
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Synopsis |
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Set in 1983 when Jehri curls were still in and cut off sweatshirts and leg warmers were just coming in, BODY LANGUAGE is about an aerobics instructor and her wanna-be actor boyfriend determined to stay together despite the odds. When Chuck has big news for Tina, she's hoping he's going to pop the question. Instead, his good tidings are bitter sweet. While Chuck has gotten his big break as a regular on a tv show, at the advice of those representing his "best interest", he decides to leave Tina behind. Heartbroken, she must try to pick up and move on while he must try to forget and move on. The theme of the play is a line straight from Billy Dee Williams character Brian in "Mahagony": "success is nothing without someone you love to share it with." (All of the music in the story are the songs of Ms. Patti Labelle). |
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Genre |
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Musical |
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Show Dates |
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April 7 - 9, 2006 - 5 shows |
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Tickets |
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VIP Seating $42.50 Orchestra Seating $37.50 Mid-Balcony Seating $32.50 Upper Balcony Seating $27.50 Tickets available in-person at the Warner Theatre Box Office, at all TicketMaster Ticket Centers including Tower Records, Kemp Mill Music, and Hecht's stores. Tickets for Warner Theatre shows purchased in-person at the Warner Theatre Box Office incur no convenience or service charges. Regular Box Office Hours (subject to change): Monday - Friday: 10a-4p Saturday: 12p-3p Performance days: 2 hours before show time through 1/2 hour after the scheduled show time. To purchase tickets online: click here http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/172129 To purchase over the phone, call TicketMaster Phone Charge at: (202) 397.SEAT | (703) 573.SEAT | (410) 547.SEAT | (800) 551.SEAT (outside DC/VA/MD) |
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Show Run Time |
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Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes with one intermission |
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Theatre Information |
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Warner Theater 513 13th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004 http://www.warnertheatre.com/ [map to theater] |
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Public Transportation/Parking |
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13th Street, between E and F Streets, NW. The theatre is one block from the Metro Center stop on the Red, Orange and Blue lines. Take the 12th and F Street exit (follow signs toward the sales office). At the top of the escalator proceed straight ahead (West) on F Street toward 13th Street. Turn left at the corner at 13th Street. The theatre entrance is halfway down the block on your left. There are many parking garages, as well as metered on-street parking, in the area. A PMI parking garage with direct access to the theatre (not wheelchair accessible) is located on 12th Street, NW, between E & F Streets. [Note: 12th Street is one-way north]. Most garages charge about $7 in the evenings and on weekends. The Theatre does not operate any parking facility. |
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Production Credits |
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Mike Ajakwe, Jr. (Playwright/Producer/Director) - (spotlight) Madonna Grimes (Choreography) Matilda Haywood (Musical Direction/Arrangements) Jerry Dunn (Set Design) Kathie O'Donohue (Lighting Design) Tim Cain (Sound Design) Deborah Smith (Supervising Hair Stylist) |
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Performers |
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Fredericka Meek (Tina) - (spotlight) Andre Pitre (Chuck) - (spotlight) Robert Gee (Holt) Sy Smith (Rochelle/Three Girls on the Corner) Chante Carmel (Jackie/Three Girls on the Corner/Session Singer) Elyse Marie Mirto (Faye Sunset) Regina Williams (Regina) George Frangides (Ralph/Security) Craig Young (Pierre/Billy "White Shoes" Bayo) Gwendolyn Osborne (Wendy/Cupid Swan) Madonna Grimes (Tammie) Winnie Young (Bobbie) Bill Lee Brown (M.C./Wino) Kameron Love (Black Kid on the Street) |
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Other Credits |
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Featuring the Songs of Patti LaBelle - (spotlight)
Music & Lyrics by various artists |
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Web Address |
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http:/www.bodylanguagetheplay.com |
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Review NOHO LA The Megazine (by Jacob Clark, May 5-15, 2005) |
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Michael Ajakwe, Jr.'s delightful new musical featuring the songs of Patti LaBelle, Body Language, is bringing down the house at Stage 52. This is a show with a big future ahead of it, and this is your chance to be able to tell your friends in upcoming years, "I saw the very first production!" There couldn't be a better venue for this premiere than Stage 52, which tops my list of best 99-seat theatres in town for its beautiful, roomy lobby and sleek state-of-the-art performance space. Ajakwe's gift for telling a compelling tale interwoven with great comic moments is perfect for writing the book for a musical, one of the most vexing and elusive forms for a playwright to tackle. The story concerns Tina, who runs an aerobics and dance studio in Philadelphia and the love of her life, Chuck, an aspiring actor. The impossibilities of making a commitment and their lives apart as well as together are the major plot points. At this stage, the play possibly contains one too many songs in each act, and requires some necessary pruning, which will come as the writer observes audiences during this initial run. In the meantime, one can delight in all 14 hits used in the production. And who hasn't been stirred by a Patti LaBelle song? Sometimes a particular artist defines a period of one's life, and I will never forget where I was, what I was doing and who I was with the first time I heard "Lady Marmalade" and "Stir It Up." Fredericka Meek's soaring voice and Andre Pitre's emotive and amazing range are terrific, in solos and duets, as Tina and Chuck. Particularly fine is the "On My Own" duet. Both performers are highly skilled actors as well as singers, giving the play an engaging, infectious quality. As the third person in a love triangle, Robert Gee gives a truly unforgettable performance. Chante Carmel and Sy Smith give hilarious and heartfelt performances as Tina's best friends, and combined with Christopher Emmons, stop the show with a fabulous "Lady Marmalade." The chorus of dancers is superb, with Gwendolyn Osborne a stand-out with an extra star-quality pizzazz. Highly Recommended.
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Performance Schedule |
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Date |
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Buy Tickets |
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April 7, 2006 |
8:00 pm |
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April 8, 2006 |
3:00 pm |
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April 8, 2006 |
8:00 pm |
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April 9, 2006 |
3:00 pm |
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April 9, 2006 |
7:30 pm |
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