ENTERTAINMENT
CARIBBEAN
COMEDY
Oliver Samuels, cast shine on Memorial Weekend
EAST 56 — Lakeisha Ellison and Audrey Reid in Oliver’s new play. PauI MuIIings
Caribbean L BQ ife, May 24–30, 2019 51
T What is Memorial Weekend in Caribbean
NY and NJ without Oliver
Samuels and his brand of West Indian
theatre and comedy? The legend
Oliver Samuels, popular across the
Caribbean from Jamaica to Trinidad
& Tobago, is part of Memorial Weekend
celebrations when New Yorkers
look forward to an Oliver new play.
This year’s play, “56 East Avenue” is
full of laughs. After three months of
performances in Jamaica, sold out
in Toronto, the play comes to the
tristate before it goes to England.
Fans of Caribbean theatre and
comedy in New York, New Jersey and
Maryland will see Oliver Samuels and
Volier “Maffi” Johnson, two famed
actors and comedians on the same
stage in their new play, “56 East Avenue.”
It is the first time in 15 years
they are performing together in the
NY- tristate.
In addition to Oliver and Maffi,
Audrey Reid known worldwide as The
Dancehall Queen, Dennis Titus who
appeared in a Denzel Washington
movie and the talented Lakeisha Ellison
are in the thrilling and enjoyable
play. Performances in Florida and
across Jamaica have been sold out.
On memorial weekend fans will
enjoy Oliver and his all-star cast at
Milton Bassin Theater at York College,
Queens, May 24; East Orange
Campus School East Orange, NJ, May
25 and Lovinger Theater, Lehman
College, Bronx, on Memorial Sunday,
May 26 for two shows, 3:30 pm and
7:30 pm.
“56 East Avenue” reflects the
hilarious story of life in a ‘tenament
yaad,’ in most Caribbean islands.
Sometimes, people sympathize with
this loveable landlord as he tries to
collect rent from chaotic tenants and
as he attempts to calm his peaceful
Continued on Page 52
Karl O’Brian Williams.
“Not About Eve,” the award winning
family drama by Jamaican actor
and playwright Karl O’ Brian Williams,
will make its Long Island debut at the
New Vibe Lounge in Rockville Center
on Memorial Weekend, Sunday, May 26
at 7 pm.
The play will be presented as a staged
concert reading as part of the New Vibe
Lounge’s monthly playreading series
and will be directed by award winning
playwright and producer David Heron.
The all female cast of the three-char-
Continued on Page 52
By Nelson A. King
The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism
Organization (CTO) says Vincentian
soca artiste and Trinidad and Tobago
carnival road march winner Skinny
Fabulous will unleash the power of soca
on “Rum & Rhythm” during CTO’s
Caribbean Week New York (CWNY2019)
in June.
CTO said on Monday that “Rum and
Rhythm, the Ultimate Caribbean Food
and Rum Experience,” will take place at
Capitale, 130 Bowery in Manhattan, on
Friday, June 7, from 6:30 pm – 11 pm.
“’Skinny’, whose real name is Gamal
Doyle, will unleash his infectious energy
and mesmerizing performance skills
on ‘Rum & Rhythm’,” CTO said. “It is
this same versatility, incredible talent
and ability to create a perfect marriage
Continued on Page 52
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‘Not About
Eve’ drama
Skinny
Fabulous
hat is Memorial Weekend in Car Maryland will see Oliver Samuels and enjoy Oliver and his all star cast at
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