TRAV'LIN the 1930s Harlem Musical

Interviews with Andre' Neal and An'Gelle Sylvester who stars in TRAV'LIN the 1930's Harlem Musical

On the eve of June 25^th, 2015 at the Ensemble Theatre on Main Street in Houston Texas, artists and musicians, directors and producers, playwrights and theatre aficionados gather around to honor the legacy of J. C. Johnson. Before the Opening Night show started for Trav’lin, the 1930s Harlem Musical, Gary Holmes spoke about that at the age of ten, he became friends with Mr. J. C. Johnson. Upon their meeting, Gary instantly became J. C.’s protégé listening to his music and wondrous stories. Mr. Holmes explains that TRAV’LIN comes from the songs, stories and heart of J. C. Johnson.

“When my friend and mentor J. C. passed, I was determined to create a show using his music. I searched through his over 500 songs for ones that could be used in a full book musical. The songs that ‘fit the bill’ made it clear the show would happen in the 1930s and would be about LOVE. That it would be in Harlem was already a given. A closer consideration led me to realize there were 3 separate story lines in the songs. First, a more mature love that has experienced the full range of joy and pain. Second, a comic, tempestuous but genuine love. And third, a new, young love. To honor J. C. Johnson, the show had to be more than just a musical romantic comedy. It had to have a heart, a true feeling showing the full spectrum of Love counterpointing the humor. The characters are not just musical comedy archetypes, they are based on the people and stories J. C. told me when I was a child. Allan (Shapiro) joined the project in its early stages because he shared my vision and my passion”

Mr. Allan Shapiro then commented about the LOVE aspect of the show as a necessary diversion due to the recent troubling times. He was probably pertaining to the June 17^th massacre Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.

The director Mr. Patdro Harris, who choreographed the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit A Raisin in the Sun (which starred Sean Puffy Combs and Phylicia Rashad), expressed that Love can come from all directions. “From new love to lost love and all in between, these stories ride on the music wheels of J. C. Johnson and friends. It has been a joy to dance back to the 1930s with this outstanding cast. Thank you Gary Holmes and Allan Shapiro for creating such a sizzling book. The band, especially my most successful collaborator MD Carlton Leake is smoking! It is always a pleasure to work with Eileen J. Morris and The Ensemble Theatre staff. Look what we did together…bravo! From the engine to the caboose, TRAV’LIN is a wonderful ride.”

On opening night, I had the pleasure to interview two of the members of the cast, An’Gelle Sylvester who plays Ella and Andre Neal who plays Archie. An’Gelle Sylvester was born and bred in Houston. At the Ensemble theatre, she is delighted to have made her debut in Djembe. A talented business woman and professional singer, she performs both independently and with a well-known Christian group. She is also currently attending Houston Community College pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She received vocal training from her mother Linda King Sylvester, Gospel Artist Bettye Ransom Nelson and Musical Genius, clinicians, and songwriters Mr. Chadwick Brawley and V. Michael McKay.

An’Gelle has traveled to Germany for the past few years to perform in a Gospel Tour spreading love throughout the beautiful country. She has sung for many people of influence such as Yolanda Adams, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and former Houston Mayor Bill White. In the sports arena, she has sung the National Anthem at Minute Maid Park for the Houston Astros and the Houston Dynamo Soccer Team. Aside from her musical and business career, she mentors many young women in her youth group and the Houston area. An’Gelle is interested in seeing the lives of young people miraculously changed through the awesome power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

TRAV'LIN the 1930s Harlem Musical starring (R-L) An'Gelle Sylvester, Regina Hearne and Aisha Ussery is showing from June 25 - July 26, 2015 at the Ensemble Theatre located at 3535 Main Street, Houston Texas 77002 USA. Photo courtesy of The Ensemble Theatre. For more information, click on www.EnsembleHouston.com

An’Gelle: Actually, I started here last year in Djembe. But then I was with child at the time so I’ve had to cancel. Well, not so much cancel, I just did the vocals for it. But this is actually my first time hitting the stage.

An’Gelle: Ella, she is sweet and innocent, kind of naive, gullible just to the whole idea of love. She meets someone and…(pauses)….and, I can’t tell you the rest.

An’Gelle: One by myself, one with my special someone and another one with the cast.

An’Gelle: I did an audition and read some lines, some of the songs. The director said they liked the innocence and so they hired me for the part.

An’Gelle: Actually a church member of mine, she got me into this, specifically in the Ensemble Theatre. She told me about the auditions and I was like, “Yeah, no, I don’t know if I’ll go or not.” But I ended up going one year but I didn’t hear anything until about 2 or 3 years or so later. They were like, “Hey, we’ve been looking for you. We want to cast you in this play.” I was surprised. I guess, my good friend and mentor Kathleen Wiley at my church World Harvest Outreach Seventh Day Adventist was who got me into the Ensemble Theatre.

An’Gelle: Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper (laughs). I actually grew up watching my mom sing. At a young age, I would watch my mom and then I would go home and look in the mirror singing with my hairbrush (laughs) using it as a microphone. My mom noticed this and so she would put me in the positions anytime she was asked to go sing. She was like, “Oh but my daughter is going to sing for me today.” And it started from there.

An’Gelle: I dabble in piano. My wonderful piano teacher Theola Booker of Greater Saint Matthew. She’s passed away now. She taught me for a good five years.

An’Gele: To actually enjoy looking at Love from all different stages. You know, as a young person we’re all so giddy, and so “Oh my God, we’re in love! Oh my God, he saw me, he kissed me. He recognized me. He asked me out on a date!” We’re so happy about that. Just to enjoy the different stages of Love.

An’Gelle: I would really encourage anyone and everyone out there to never stop believing in yourself and to always keep dreaming. Even when you feel like giving up, push past that because you never know what the next door may be. What opportunity you will walk into. You never know the blessings that are coming.

TRAV'LIN the 1930s Harlem Musical starring (L-R) An'Gelle Sylvester and Brandon Delagraentiss is showing from June 25 - July 26, 2015 at the Ensemble Theatre located at 3535 Main Street, Houston Texas 77002 USA. Photo courtesy of The Ensemble Theatre. For more information, click on www.EnsembleHouston.com

Andre’ Neal is a singer, dance, actor and writer. Born in Florida, he started performing at the tender age of five years old when he was cast in a TV commercial. From there Andrew has been blessed to work in Florida, Atlanta and New York. Moving to Houston, being cast in this remarkable LOVE project and working with so many colorful and talented individuals has pushed him to work even harder at his craft.

Andre: Archie Stone is an amazing guy, very lovable. He has a lot of Love in his heart even though a little different from the other characters. But I think that everybody will get a sense of who he is. You can relate to Archie. People know Archie. Even though the story is set in the 1930s, even in the year 2015 Archie Stone is definitely somebody who will remind you of a certain person you know.

Andre: I auditioned for Mr. Patdro last year after I just moved here from Miami, Florida. My brother Derrick Neal was actually…..he and his wife has season tickets to the Ensemble Theatre. I said to him, “Man, maybe I should get an agent.” And he said to me, “If you want to get back into theatre, just go to the Ensemble.” So, I found out when they were doing the auditions, I came here and I auditioned and got the part of Pop-pop in A Soulful Christmas.

Andre: I was actually born in Daytona Beach. My mom Sheryl Gaskin was actually on vacation. They came up from Miami. It’s a big story (laughs). Someone said “You’re going to have a baby in this car!” She went into labor when they were in the car headed to Daytona Beach for just a vacation. I ended up being born in Daytona.

Andre: My mom’s just…(shakes his head). She said, “Let’s just go visit. Let’s just go.” That’s just my mom. (Laughs)

Andre: Michael Jackson. My first memories of performing was watching my Mom in Church lead the choir. She was amazing what she did, I used to watch just mesmerized. Then, I would sing whatever she sang. And then I saw the movie The Wiz. As soon as I saw The Wiz starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, all these amazing talents. I was sold. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, dancing while singing. I’ve been watching old black and white movies with my grandmother. I was just like, Wow! I wish I could do that. That’s what really pushed me into getting onstage.

Andre: I play a little piano. But I’m more of a percussionist. I play more drums than anything. Right now, I just bought some literature to learn theory. I write songs and I can get in the studio and produce tracks of the sounds I like. I want to be able to be like Mr. Carlton (Leake, Musical Director). He is amazing!

One might say the Performing Arts hemmed the natural tapestry of Memphis, Tennessee native Carlton Leake’s total being. Well-versed and well trained in all artistic genres, he began his professional career at the age of 14 when he played bass guitar for Erma Clanton’s theatrical production An Evening of Soul. Soon thereafter, he became the musical director and pianist of that same production. Since then, Carlton has assembled a successful 30-year career around the world. While touring, he assumed the role of actor / singer, musician and / or musical director for many shows including Dreamgirls, The Wiz, Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sophisticated Ladies, Blues in the Night and Five Guys Named Moe. Carlton’s career highlighted include his work as guest composer for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert where four compositions from his Christmas Cantata, The Savior Has Come thrilled audiences in 2001. He composed the original score for Blair Underwood’s movie short The Second Coming and music for Underwood’s one-man show IM4, in 1996 and 2004 respectively. In 2006, he was the msucial director for the off-Broadway production The Love Show, starring T. C. Carson. And in 2011, Carlton turned the play Cinderella by the African-American Shakespeare Company into a successful musical with 21 of his new compositions. Also an accomplished playwright, Carlton penned the book to the musical revue, When Music was Music. His own musicals include Shalavy, Djemebe and the Forest of Christmas Forgotten, the highly acclaimed Vietnam War soldier story Two Wars, The Twelve Ways of Christmas and Lest We Forget, the one man show starring Ronald McCall and Nkosazana: The African Cinderella. Leake is also the owner of CDL Entertainment LLC.

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE: Little Moe, Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Eat Moe and No Moe played by Anthony Glover, Chioke Coreathers, Donald Collier, Carlton Leake (Musical Director) and Tommie Harper with Nomax played by T. C. Carson and Director and Choreographer Patdro Harris. FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE played at the Ensemble Theatre July, 2010. Photo by David Bray Photography.

Andre: He has inspired me from A Soulful Christmas until now. So now, I invested in a keyboard. I have my books and am starting to teach myself.

Andre: Yes, he and Mr. Patdro Harris (Director and Choreographer). From my personal experience, Carlton is the kind of person who, you wouldn’t even know how brilliant he was just by talking to him. You would just think he was a body builder. As big as he is, to sit at the piano and play so eloquently is amazing. I got a lot of pictures of Carlton where I’ve taken photos in amazement. Because you never know who’s watching, you know?

Theresa: I know, he’s huge, right? Not just physically but in musical talent and ability. He has enormous talent. I believe he can play any instrument in the band. I have yet to interview him but he also has great humility.

Andre: It’s like, why interview Michael Jackson or Fred Astaire? Their work speaks for itself.

Theresa: Right. At what point in your life did you discover you have a singing ability?

Andre: Since I was a kid. My family would always say, “Let Andre sing! Let Andre sing!” My grandfather said he used to take me around the malls when I was a kid around 3 or 4 years old. Every time, music would come on I would start singing. And literally, people would start giving me money.

Andre: I would like for them to gain the sense of understanding that Love has different layers. It goes from loving somebody hard or you can love them so intently. Also, you can love them and not like them. I definitely want to learn that there’s different layers to love. I think everybody who comes to see Trav’lin the 1930s Harlem Musical here at the Ensemble Theatre will be able to relate to one of the three couples. I guarantee anybody who sees this piece will say, “Wow, I’ve been through that.” Or “I’m going through that,” “I remember that” or “I see that”

Andre: Keep coming out and supporting us. I definitely want them to know and understand that whenever Mr. Patdro Harris and Mr. Carlton Leake’s name on any show, they should come and see it. I guarantee you from the beginning to the end, it’s going to be a wonderful ride.

Kicks of Season Finale and Houston Premiere

“Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical”

HOUSTON (June, 2015) –- The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 2014-2015 season finale and Houston premiere, Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical featuring music by Harlem Renaissance composer J.C. Johnson with Opening Night and Media Reception, Thursday, June 25, 2015, 6:30PM.

Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical book was written by Gary Holmes, who met J.C. Johnson through his father at the age of 10, and co-author Allan Shapiro. The show will be directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Carlton Leake.

“Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical comes from the songs and stories, and heart of J.C. Johnson,” says Holmes. “I searched through his over 500 songs for ones that could be used in a full book musical; J.C. was quite adamant in his preference for book musicals over revues!”

A humorous, heart-warming story of three couples playing the game of love in 1930's Harlem. The action centers on George, a retired Pullman porter and church deacon, and the intriguing stranger he meets who is not the person she seems to be. The jazz-inflected score celebrates the music of Harlem Renaissance composer J. C. Johnson (1896-1981), and is reminiscent of many well-known, bluesy Broadway shows.

Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical captures the music and energy of Harlem through the vision of this renowned composer. Johnson’s music has been performed and recorded by numerous stars including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Duke Ellington and Count Basie; and has been heard on Broadway in Ain't Misbehavin' and Me and Bessie.

Featured cast members include: Anthony Boggess Glover, Brandon Delagraentiss, Regina Hearne, Andre’ Neal, An’Gelle Sylvester, and Aisha Ussery.

Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical
PG/ Musical/ Houston Premiere

Previews: June 20, 21, & 24 Show Runs: June 25 – July 26, 2015

Performance Days and Times: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m; Fridays: 8:00 p.m;
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m; and Sundays: 3:00 p.m.

Tickets Available Online: www.EnsembleHouston.com
For Information and Group Rates Call: 713-520-0055

The Ensemble Theatre's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. United Airlines is the official airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical is generously underwritten by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts and Norton Rose Fulbright.

The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble’s $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.

The Ensemble Theatre Presents Houston Premiere Musical
“Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical”

Who/ What: The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its season finale Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical featuring music and songs by composer J.C. Johnson, and book by Gary Holmes and Allan Shapiro. The show will be directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Carlton Leake.

Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical captures the music and energy of Harlem through the vision of this renowned composer. Johnson’s music has been performed and recorded by numerous stars including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Duke Ellington and Count Basie; and has been heard on Broadway in Ain't Misbehavin' and Me and Bessie.

Featured cast members include: Anthony Boggess Glover, Brandon Delagraentiss, Regina Hearne, Andre’ Neal, An’Gelle Sylvester, and Aisha Ussery.

The Ensemble Theatre's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. United Airlines is the official airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical is generously underwritten by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts and Norton Rose Fulbright.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-eight years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins’ car to being one of Houston’s finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble’s $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.