Reed Brings On The Comedy in East 14th at New World Stages

"His stepfather forced him to deliver the gospel door to door…So he moved in with his real dad… Who turned out to be a pimp…"  Did that pique your curiosity like it did mine?  Well, believe it or not, it's a new comedy called  East 14th, written and directed by Don Reed and is playing at the New World Stages, off Broadway at 340 W. 50th Street as of July 10th.

East 14th chronicles a young man's coming-of-age in 1970s Oakland as he struggles to find out who he is in a world of religious fanatics, pimps, players, hustlers, and streetwalkers. In this autobiographical tale, Reed chronicles escaping an ultra strict upbringing, going out of his way to be something that he wasn't, and eventually, learning to keep it real.

Reed has worked in theater, film and television to great acclaim.  Don's performance on a Robert Townsend HBO special of up-and-coming comedians years ago caught the attention of Bill Cosby and led to the creation of a guest-starring role for him on "The Cosby Show."  Don went on to play the recurring role of Chip St. Charles in "The Cosby Show" spin-off "A Different World" and was recently in "Bee Movie Shorts" starring Jerry Seinfeld. Don also wrote and directed several short films for HBO/Russell Simmons/Stan Lathan.

He has performed for the National Association of Campus Activities tour, appearing at over 300 colleges, and opening for Tony Award Winner Tommy Tune. Mr. Reed is a Best Actor and Best Playwright Nominee for the 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards for East 14th. Don has lent his voice to: "Spiderman", "The Flintstones", "Johnny Quest" "ER", "Frasier", "Friends", "Scrubs", "Will & Grace", "Law & Order", "SNL", and The Golden Globes; He has appeared in the films "Hollywood Shuffle" and "Fear of a Black Hat,". He appeared on stage in The Key at Princeton's McCarter Theatre in a three person cast including Hector Elizondo and Jo Beth Williams.

Reed candidly opens up to me about life and his new show…

TJ:  Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. You must be very excited with the official opening night coming up on July 10th?

REED:  I am past, WAY PAST, excited. Close to explosion!

TJ:  And you were a nominee for Best Actor and Best Playwright for the 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards for East 14th. How did you feel about that when you got the nomination?

REED:  First of all, the way the NAACP runs their year, I thought maybe I missed the voting; there is a very long window. They consider everything within the course of the year so when you are chosen it is a pretty high honor. Most importantly, since my show has what could be perceived as "stereo typical" characters, the NAACP validated that the overall story and its theme is deeper and broader than what meets the eye.

TJ:  Now, your show, East 14th, sounds like a real turn of events for what you are used to doing in comedy. Tell me about a little bit about the show.

REED:  The show is really different. Really, REALLY different and quite a departure from my stand up. It is an actual play. But, it's all true. My stand up for years was a fantasy. It was fun; a diversion. But not true or based in any sort of reality. The play is drenched in reality, and nothing is funnier than the truth.

TJ:  How long had you been working to put this show together?

REED:  What time is it? I started working on the play in 1999, and was so afraid to do it; I helped another guy do his one man show first. Four years later, I got the Kahunas to write the show. I was still so terrified of marking out in front of people and exposing my every fiber, that it took another three years to finish it. In 2006 I finally opened in LA. I was supposed to run for 5 weeks, but ran for 5 months. And now I'm in New York. I could have been here in 2000 had I had my act together.

TJ:  It doesn't sound like it was easy for you growing up in Oakland. How did you hold it all together?

REED:  I didn't hold it together; it fell apart completely. At the seams. I failed at every turn; failure to the fourth power to fit in. Then – in time – I pulled it all together with the help of some very interesting people in my life; namely my father. TJ:  Essentially, what I thought was "together" when I was deep in religion, I threw away and then rebuilt myself.

What was an average day like for you growing up in the house where your stepfather was a Jehovah's Witness?

REED:  (laughing) If you want to call it growing up! It was more like elementary school prison. Being told what to do like, "Wouldn't it be a lot better if you held your books all in the same perpendicular position with all the letters going the same way? Wouldn't that be a lot better than the way you are holding then right now…hum??" I think my stepfather had a little OCD. Mix OCD with a heavy religious doctrine that's pressure concentrate!

TJ:  Then you moved in with your father, who was a pimp?? How did you find out about that?

REED:  I didn't find out until after my father passed, actually. After leaving the funeral site to go party at this place on the outskirts of Oakland, my father's friend, Troutmouth, proceeded to tell me that my father was one of the biggest pimps in Oakland but kept it on the low. Then he proceeded to call one of his girls who worked in San Francisco and put her on speaker phone to show us that he was still in the game. I think she was in her sixties and was still working. Her voice sounded like she was missing some teeth. That is not Okay.

TJ:  I can't imagine going from the one extreme of being surrounded by a family so structured and strict morals to going to a place where morals really didn't exist. How old were you when you made the move and how long did you live with your dad?

REED:  I was 15 years old when I moved in with my father. I thought I was moving somewhere where morals didn't exist. I thought I was moving somewhere where I could do whatever I wanted. For a short time I could, but it turns out my father – who was a pimp mind you – had other plans. Right when I got to the point where I really started missing a lot of school and wanted to experiment with drugs, he got on me and said, "Wait! Don't forget, baby, you're supposed to **BE** somebody." That was a shocker for me! At first it felt like the strict morals were back, but I came to realize it was more about him reminding me what I had told him I wanted to be. I lived with my father for six years, leaving his home just before I went to UCLA.

TJ:  What was it that kept you on the straight and narrow?

REED:  It was the overly strict path I originated on, but mostly my father who later gave me direction and made sure I didn't stray. It also had something to do with my very successful uncle, but that is another story; the NEXT one-man show.

TJ:  Sounds like having a sense of humor was a necessity for you to get you through the tough years and bring you to where you are today?

REED:  It was my father's sense of humor that helped me get through. I wasn't very funny; there was too much pressure. I was actually pretty quiet from the age of 15 to 20. It was then when I remembered how funny my father and my brother's were and I realized there was a sense of humor inside of me the whole time. Then I started blasting it on people.

TJ:  So give me an example of a situation growing up and how you make it humorous.

REED:  Here is a perfect example. I wanted so badly to go roller skating with my older brother and meet girls. But I had run out of hair care products. So I used some…butter. I actually put Challenge butter in my permed hair. Take my word for it. It did not go well. Come see the show to see how horribly things turned out. Hilarious for the audience, but horrible for me.

TJ:  You are married with two kids? How did they feel about this show?

REED:  This show is a wild ride. My kids won't see the show until they are solidly in their teens, and they are not yet.

TJ:  Was writing this show therapeutic for you?

REED:  Definitely, Definitely, Definitely. It allowed me to reflect back on the extremely unique journey I had taken. I had not realized how circuitous a route my life had taken. Looking back, it simply makes me stronger.

TJ:  How did you decide that you wanted to be a comedian?

REED:  Actually, other people decided for me. I was involved in intercollegiate speech and debate at UCLA when people would say, "You're Funny. Don't you know you are funny?" I qualified for the national intercollegiate championship and I ended up winning first place in the country. After I won, people told me to hit the comedy clubs. I started out in a duo because I was scared but later broke out on my own. Shortly after that Robert Townsend, Sinbad and later Bill Cosby starting hooking a brutha up.

TJ:  Now, you were discovered by Bill Cosby at an HBO Special. Did he give you any words of advice on life as an entertainer?

REED:  Yes. Bill Cosby told me the only thing I need to remember is that you can't please everybody so don't try. If you do, you lose your true self in the process. So, just do the comedy you want to do and you will find your audience.

TJ:  Do you still keep in touch with Mr. Cosby?

REED:  No, I didn't feel I needed to. My comedy has taken on a more adventurous tone and he told me everything I needed to know. He sent me off with pearls of wisdom and a pair of his brand new Reeboks, which I still have.

Who were your inspirations in the entertainment industry?

REED:  Robert Townsend, Barry Diamond, Cos, Pahim Camplain, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Foxx, Richard Prior, and my father.

TJ:  When did you realize that you had made it in the business?

REED:  I believe I am just peeking into making it by hitting Off Broadway right now. I truly think it's the coolest genre of live performance on the planet – Off Broadway in New York City!

TJ:  Do you have any advice to young people who want to pursue a career in the business?

REED:  Borrow Money. No really, you've got to get to your voice and the way you want to do it as soon as possible. You will waste tons of time attempting to do what you think audiences want to hear, but when you do that you are likely to be doing something they have already heard which makes you unoriginal. Get to your voice and you'll be on your way to making it. That's the real deal.

And there you have it, folks! East 14th plays Thursdays at 8:00pm, Fridays at 9:00pm, and Saturdays at 9:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting Telecharge at www.telecharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200. For more information, please visit the official website at www.East14th.com. So, ciao for now and remember, as always, theatre is my life!

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