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Caribbean Life, April 14-20, 2022
Braata delivers extra Easter praise ‘God’s Way’
By Vinette K. Pryce
Once upon a time an abundance
of Caribbean theater regularly
visited the boroughs of New
York City.
Throughout the 80s and 90s
annual, reliable presentations
provided authentic theater to
diasporans with Barbados’ Ron
Roach and Paul Webster, Trinidad
& Tobago’s Sullivan Walker, St.
Lucia’s Derek Walcott and others
who provided a plethora of live
theatrical offerings to fill the void
left by Broadway and Off-Broadway
productions.
“Pappy,” “Monkeyshines & Pappyshow,”
“Sea Rock Children Are
Strong Children” “Boy Days,”
“Caribbean Woman,” and so many
others delighted audiences during
dinner-theater presentations
held predominantly in immigrant
communities.
Later, Trevor Rhone, E. Wayne
McDonald, Oliver Samuels, Herman
Hall, Shebada and a smaller
sampling offered selected weekend
treats to Brooklyn, Bronx and
Queens crowds.
After what seemed like a
drought, in 2009, Caribbean audiences
got Braata, a company of
folksingers who sang and danced
with familiar rhythm. Founded by
Andrew Clarke, he executive produced,
acted and sang to helm the
diverse grouping which comprised
Eastern Caribbean talents and his
own Jamaican thespians.
Jamaicans interpret the patois
title to mean ‘more’ or ‘extra.’
Unforgettable imports from the
Caribbean region introduced Guyana’s
“Demerara Gold” in 2017 and
a one-woman showcase by Ingrid
Griffith which endeared audiences
in Manhattan.
Since then the company has
evolved to incorporate community
and educational outreach,
theater, and during the Christmas
holiday season imports veteran
talents for a family-fun showcase
at Grand Market settings.
In 2020, Clarke managed to
fend off COVID-19 while fundraising
by providing door-door
delivery of Jamaican cuisine specially
ordered to suit the palates of
home-sick diasporans.
How the highest accolades from
Jamaica has eluded this truly missionary
leader and his band of pied
pipers must rest with oversight
and perhaps political priorities.
Clarke at least is deserving of
every platitude.
He is ambassador, performer,
spokesperson and dedicated
patron of the arts.
So too are his associates who
initially until now stands side by
side to deliver the best from the
region. The company has traveled
far and wide to promote the
region.
The leadership of 86-yearold
Marsha-Ann Hay (Valerie), Mitzie Pratt (Samantha) and Jerry
Benzwick (Deacon). Joel Edwards
Jamaica Progressive League
seems to recognize Braata and
its contribution to unifying the
diasporan community. Recently,
Sadie Campbell, president of the
oldest Caribbean organization
in the USA, stopped into Manhattan’s
eastside where Dahlia
Wright’s “God’s Way” took over
the culturally-provisional Theater
at the 14th St. Y.
On a mission to support Braata
and also spread the news of her
Hopeful Village entity Campbell
joined like-minded aficionados of
Caribbean theater to enjoy the
dramatic/comedy set in an upscale
area in Jamaica’s capital city.
The storyline focusses on the
shame and scandal that beset a
pretentious yet prayerful family
whose head of houseful must
absent himself from the island in
order to keep up appearances as a
successful immigrant.
Spoiler alert – the title is a giveaway
resolution of the plot.
Featuring Marsha-Ann Hay,
(Valerie) Jerry Benzwick, (deacon)
Mitzie Pratt (Samantha) and
Epiphany Samuels (Georgia) the
ensemble cast is directed by Guyanese
Keenan Charles.
How the story unfolds is a
must-see opportunity Clarke has
enabled for diasporan families to
engage particularly during this
Easter season.
Coincidental to the pre-Palm
Sunday weekend TV airing of
movie “The 10 Commandments”
direct quotes from the film’s
Pharoah, Egyptians and quotations
from Bible verses paralleled
scripted patois of the hilarious but
seriously provocative play.
Programmed gospel also integrated
reggae-relevant music in
between scenes and intermission
for a joyful medium to chorus
praise familiar to Caribbean audiences.
The Palm Sunday matinee audiences
seemed spiritually moved
by Wayne Marshall’s “Glory to
God” “God Is Standing” by George
Nooks and “Hear My Cry” from
Marvia Providence.
Last year a virtual presentation
offered sneak peek to Harris’
“God’s Way with limited performances.
However, this year, Easter week
presentation will be live and slated
from April 14 to 24 at Jamaica
Performing Arts Center, 153-10
Jamaica Ave. in Queens.
Conkarah ‘TUN UP’ drops ‘Millonario’
Jamaican singer, Conkarah. William Richards
vocals.
“Being very familiar with music
early on in his life, through his
father, Michael adapted exceptionally
fast, and his talent grew rapidly
as it was nurtured in the
entertainment space in Atlanta,”
said Tomlinson, chief executive
officer of Destine Media.
“Star would then go on to
open for massive acts and performers
like Wayne Wonder and
Beres Hammond, where he truly
learned to master stagecraft –
something we can see reflected
in the making of this new single,
which is built for performance and
movement,” she added.
Tomlinson said “Tun Up” is “a
return to that philosophy of movement
and dance being essential to
the Jamaican musical experience.
“One could also say dancing
as a core element in Star’s music
is also a reflection of his musical
influences, which he highlights
are icons like Michael Jackson,
Bobby Brown and Chris Brown,”
she said, adding that Star has also
invested in his other passions in
his spare time.
“His theater experience, for
instance, has blossomed into a
love for film and stage, so much
that the young artist now occupies
some of his time writing
scripts for short films,” Tomlinson
continued. “This dexterity with
his different talents translate to a
much more calculated, controlled
and masterful use of his musical
skills.
“This latest single, ‘Tun Up,’
proves that, by being the masterpiece,
it is, and it’s available everywhere
to listen and download
today,” she said.
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these times,” he added. “I’m
very grateful for this opportunity
and excited to share it
with the world.”
The release of “Millonario”
follows the 3x Diamondcertified
global hit “Banana,”
featuring GRAMMY® awardwinning
reggae singer/producer
Shaggy—which has
now surpassed over 2 billion
global streams to date, the
first Jamaican artist to accomplish
this milestone in a short
release period.
“Millonario” and other
songs including special guests
such as Pedro Capó, Shaggy,
Romain Virgo and Fiji
are being featured on Conkarah’s
new EP “Destination
Unknown,” which was released
on April 1, 2022 via BMG.