Goodman Theatre's 'Pullman Porter Blues' Moves Through History With Poignant Stories And Songs of Hope

I have a confession to make: I am not a huge fan of period dramas. For me, it feels like the artistic community is stuck in the past and not willing to embrace the present. 

But there's a new play in Chicago that does a wonderful job connecting the past with the present. 

E. Faye Butler (left) and Larry Marshall (right) jam in 'Pullman Porter Blues.' (Courtesy: Goodman Theatre)

"Pullman Porter Blues" (which opens tonight at The Goodman Theatre) is a tribute to the African-American porters who cared for passengers in some of America's most turbulent times. Written by Chicago's own Cheryl R. West, the 2 hour-40 minute play moves just like the trains that those porters rode on: at a steady pace with very few stops. 

The story is centered around three generations of porters: Monroe Sykes (Larry Marshall), an elderly veteran of the rails; Sylvester Sykes (Cleavant Derricks), the defiant and overbearing son of Monroe; and Cephas Sykes (newcomer Tosin M0rohunfola), the people-pleasing and uptight collegiate son of Sylvester/ grandson of Monroe. 

And there are a couple of ladies joining them on their journey—both invited and unexpected. Chicago theater favorite E. Faye Butler plays Sister Juba in one of her most dramatic roles yet. And another newcomer, Claire Kander, undergoes an amazing transformation as Lutie —an unkempt vagrant who develops a risky interracial friendship with Cephas.

Overall, "Pullman Porter Blues" is a delightful theatrical time capsule which helps the audience draw parallels between history and the present day. While some elements seem unbelievable — like Cephas and Lutie's having a long conversation out in the open on the train's roof— there are plenty of relateable scenarios that will bring a few tears for those willing to be vulnerable with their emotions. 

"Pullman Porter Blues" runs until October 20. 

Click here for more information. 

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Without This Bill, U.S. Consumers Might Miss A Few Meals

September 30 is a crucial date for a majority of Americans: it marks the expiration of the Food, Farm, and Jobs Bill— better known as "The Farm Bill." 

In simple terms, The Farm Bill helps farmers supply food at reasonable prices to consumers and has funded the SNAP program for needy mothers and children. While almost 46,000 Americans receive an average of $133 in SNAP benefits per month, the Farm Bill—which is renewed every five years—has a few changes that has caused some alarm with health advocates, politicians, and community activists. 

Mrs. Monica Brown Moss— a health advocate in Chicago—is pushing for more constituents to become knowledgeable about what is at stake.  As the wife of Trinity United Church of Christ pastor Otis Moss III, she works to engage the congregation and residents of the surrounding community in dialogues about important issues.

In a recent interview, Mrs. Moss shared with Empowering Voices host Rev. Joan Harrell some surprising information about how the new version of the Farm Bill will affect children. "We need to make sure that we are feeding people here on the South Side of Chicago," she said. "One out of every six children in the city of Chicago is 'food insecure' —that means that they don't know where their next meal is coming from."

For more information, check out this report from CRI TV about the Farm Bill.

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Art Imitates Life In J.Cole's Poignant 'Crooked Smile' Video

Even at 6 foot 3, rapper J.Cole admits to physical imperfections which make him self-conscious.

In fact, he opens up about his "crooked smile" in the latest single (of the same name) from his album, Born Sinner. 

Today, he released a music video for the song with imagery inspired by a real-life tragedy involving 7-year-old Aiyana Jones who was killed in a 2010 raid of her father's home by Detroit police. 


The video's inspiration presumably comes from the recent mistrial of the officer accused in Aiyana's death.   

In the final moments of the video, J. Cole offers a tribute and plea: "For Aiyana Stanley-Jones..And Please Reconsider Your War On Drugs." 

According to Innocent Down,  there have been at least 2 innocent victims shot to death by police each month in the past year. 

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Web Is The 'New TV' : TV Networks Adapt With Caution

In today's television landscape, series producers have gone from having network executives flipping past their ideas to having their "hands on the remote." 

As the title of a recent Wall Street Journal article states, it is a seller's market for original programming. In the past, producers had to pray that their pitches for new shows were accepted by networks. Now, they can distribute their own programs online or partner with Netflix. 

From the Emmy-winning "House of Cards" to "Orange Is The New Black," Netflix has become the online destination for original programming. Viewers can watch the entire season at their own pace instead of waiting a week for the next episode. 

But for those unable (or unwilling) to pay 8 bucks a month, YouTube has become the hub for ad-supported, independent produced programming. 

One show gaining popularity online is Stacey Muhammad's "For Colored Boys" starring Rob Morgan and Julito McCullum. The show's executive producers include actor Isaiah Washington and educator Marc Lamont Hill and it is building buzz through various channels of social media.



In addition to YouTube, Vimeo and Blip also offer high-quality video for viewers looking for quality programming.

But independent producers who choose online outlets take on the difficult task of building their own audience. Television networks have become household names and attract millions of viewers using contemporary tactics and marketing teams. For a small production company, the task of integrating a marketing plan with a production schedule could prove to be more challenging than expected. 

One thing's for sure: the television industry is experiencing a cliffhanger of its own right now. 

To Be Continued...

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In 'Don Jon,' Joseph Gordon Levitt Explores Relationships & Media Imagery

Would you believe it if you knew that your perception on what you look for in a significant other may be heavily influenced by media? The film "Don Jon" is a film that gives us a closer look at our possible misconceptions about relationships.

One of the things that is noticeable in film is how relationships are depicted. At times it's cliche and depicts something that is not at all common in the real world, especially with the happy endings. Other times films, whether intentional or not, still have a trouble in exploring relationships that are different. Films still have a difficulty with interracial relationships, homosexual relationships are still taboo, and in rom-coms, there are always those few formulas that always films always follow, which are different than what is out there in the real world whether we agree with any of them or not.

At the heart of the film, the key issues are Don Jon's (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) inability to reach a fulfillment of intimacy with any of the women he meets because he feels that pornography films are more true and closer to what he's looking for than the real thing. Barbara (played by Scarlett Johansson) feels that the right guy for her are the guys she sees in romance films who stereotypically not only fall in love with the woman they are attracted to, but they seem to give up everything unconditionally for her. In other words, it's all about the "perfect" man. This male character may even be flawed or rough around the edges, but then are transformed in some way to fit the woman's needs. In the real world, relationships are about compromise and adapting. Some relationships fail, some succeed. Some find the one, others keep searching through candidates maybe even their whole life.

*Check out our Movie Review* 


However, in film that is not the case. At times, romance stories evolve over a short amount of time and then here is the perfect relationship and they lived Happily Ever After. Disney is notorious for this. How many times though do we see relationships struggle through all the ups and the major downs of their relationships especially through the compromise?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been in another film that gives us a very different out look and outcome of the romantic interactions between the protagonist and his love interest in "500 Days of Summer". Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes an interesting yet bold commentary about how media influences are ideas for relationships through his Directorial Debut film "Don Jon".

"Don Jon" hits theaters on September 27.

~ Ian Noel Camilotes, Entertainment Editor 

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