BWW Reviews: 'Bob Marley Day' in Baltimore Features Cast of MARLEY and Director, Author Kwame Kwei-Armah

What a smart move by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture to honor the work of Bob Marley in recognition of the hit world premiere musical MARLEY that ends its history making run on Sunday, June 14, 2015. The show is the highest grossing show in Center Stage history and Baltimore has become intrigued by the life and music of this great musician and icon from Jamaica.

Besides a discussion with cast members and a talk by Director Kwame Kwei-Armah, there was a reggae performance by Stykers Posse, and the showing of three films: "Bob Marley Uprising Live!", "Africa Unite", and a film entitled "Marley" by Kevin MacDonald.

Ten members of the MARLEY cast assembled to discuss their experience in Baltimore during the week of protests held recently.

Olu Butterfly Woods was outspoken about how the events in Baltimore affected the cast expressing the feeling that we all "can change the world."

Michael Luwoye reminisced about what transpired during a rehearsal during Tech week. "We all heard screaming coming from the street saw over 1,000 people marking past the theater. I saw a poster taken from the Marley song "Get Up, Stand Up" and Marley shirts. He commented, "It gave me chills to see how his music has affected the world about freedom and justice". He mentioned the song "Burning and Looting". "I woke up to this. I could see the flames from the burning nursing home. Marley's music is so chilling. It's perfect timing for us to be here." When he mentioned he could not remember the lyrics to "Burning and Looting", an audience member stood up and began singing and what a voice he had. As it turns out he's a performer named Jahiti, and sings world country reggae soul (visit www.JahitiWorld.com). He told me he loves the song. "It's haunting. I first heard it during the riots in Watts when I was 16. It's about good over evil."

Luwoye talked about how important it was for Director Kwei-Armah got the cast involved doing a concert across the street from where the CVS burned.

Many audience members contributed to the discussion. One from Brooklyn, NY mentioned how in school the Caribbean students were split from the White students. He added, "We had a prophet in our midst, like Ghandi."

Woods then admitted during rehearsals, she had trouble stopping crying, but knew she couldn't leave.

The video of the cast members performing near the burned out CVS giving the concert was then shown in which Kwei-Armah is shown hoping for "love, peace, and prosperity for all our children." One can see a small snippet of the great song "One Love". The audience applauded. Almost all admitted to seeing the show. One said she learned a lot and had fun doing it. She also raved about the imaginative set.

An individual from Frederick reminisced about seeing Marley perform in Berkeley, CA. "No one comes close to him" he added.

After the cast hurried off the stage to attend the 2 p.m. matinee, Kwei-Armah arrived to discuss his involvement with Marley over the years. A surprise visitor to the event was former Maryland U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes who stated he had hopes of attending a performance.

Kewi-Armah mentioned that Marley was his personal poet laureate. Growing up in England he mentioned you had two choices...to be a reggae man or a soul man. When he was 19, he began to listen to the lyrics. "I found them sophisticated, brave, a challenge to the status quo. I equated his music with the "Autobiography of Malcolm X", I saw the links to Marcus Garvey as well. He feeds my soul".

He also mentioned the song "Burning and Looting", a song written 40 years ago. He stated we all knew we had to do something during this troubling time. He commented, "Art is not supposed to live just within the four walls of the theatre. That's why we drove to Penn and North Ave. and sang "Song of Freedom". To be able to mobilize to sing for the community was one of the most profound moments of my artistic life. We're here to serve and uplift."

The audience was obviously frustrated that MARLEY could not be extended but they were told too many actors had other obligations. Kwei-Armah said that several producers were seeing the show that day and said there were talks of a possible way to continue with the musical. He stated, "Things are looking positive. The producers are very pleased. We were informed the Marley estate was pleased with the show as was Neville Garrick of Island Records. The grandson of the Crown Prince of Ethiopia was really touched." He also related that due to the Baltimore curfew, they lost 12 hours of rehearsal time.

Music Director Jason Michael Webb also attended and sat in the audience. He stated, "It's like nothing we've ever done.!"

Kwei-Armah had to rush back to the theater but those in attendance appreciated the opportunity to hear and see how this historical musical came about and about the possibility that it may not end in Baltimore and may in fact have a future.

It will be an emotional evening on Sunday night, June 14 when the cast finishes their sold-out run.

Photo credit of MARLEY cast - Charles Shubow

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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