"Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers": Detroit Free Press gives "Kwame a River" 3 out of 4 stars

Posted: Jan. 1, 2009
'Kwame a River' boasts witty writing, gifted cast
Political satire is all in good fun
BY JOHN MONAGHAN
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

Kwame Kilpatrick is in the spotlight again. But "Kwame a River," the satire that opened Wednesday at Second City Novi, likely isn't the comeback the former mayor had in mind.

Subtitled "The Chronicles of Detroit's Hip-Hop Mayor," the new show is an LOL funny overview of the past decade in Detroit politics, sparked by clever writing and a talented, homegrown, six-person cast.

The show is surprisingly good-natured in showing Kilpatrick not as evil or stupid, but as a charismatic figure that continually lets his hubris get the best of him.

The show opens with a defiant Kilpatrick (played by Detroit native Connell Brown Jr.), by his own definition "untouchable, invincible, unstoppable," facing an attitude-filled Spirit of Detroit. Played by Amise (real name Ami McClenon) and introduced like the iconic downtown statue with arms outstretched, she's not about to listen to lame excuses as she tries to get him to 'fess up to his mistakes.

The "Christmas Carol"-style setup leads to a dozen or so often hilarious vignettes, beginning with the true thoughts behind Kilpatrick's oath of office. Next up is the much-rumored, never-proven party at the Manoogian Mansion, where the new mayor and recent appointees entertain a pair of bored strippers, including one named Peaches who is later threatened in slow-motion by Kilpatrick's wife, Carlita, with a baseball bat.

Enter Attorney General Mike Cox, first dismissing the party as an urban legend, then reopening the file on this and all urban legends, including the mysterious case of Bloody Mary and all those deaths caused by ingesting soda and Pop Rocks.

Throughout the play, Kilpatrick interacts with famous people past and present, including auto magnate Henry Ford, WDIV-TV Local 4 anchorwoman Carmen Harlan and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The funniest bit has Kilpatrick visited by former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, who slaps the younger man while telling him that if he's going to do something illegal, don't get caught.

"But what about the Krugerrands?" Kilpatrick asks, referring to the South African gold coins that dogged the Young administration. That prompts another whap to the face. And the crowd goes wild.

Jennifer Gale (Music Director):

Pianist, Educator, Accompanist. Ms Gale is the Owner/Director of the Mount Clemens Arts Consortium, Inc a Community-style school for the Arts. As a pianist she has performed solo concerts featuring the music of Black composers from around the world. As an educator, she has taught general music courses in public schools and for the Interlochen School of the Arts. She also maintains a studio of private piano students who compete and perform across the state. As an accompanist, she's played over 20 different musicals for community groups and schools in southeast Michigan. Musical Director for Kwame 1

Michael Pollock, Composer

Michael Pollock (composer ): Michael is musical director of The Second City Training Center Los Angeles; he studied at the University of Texas at Austin, Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and The Grove School of Music. His credits include The Tonight Show, The Drew Carey Show, Evening at the Improv and ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Tuesdays With Morrie. He plays piano for various show at Disneyland and taught the first master class in musical direction at the Chicago Improv Festival in 2005. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelpollock.com.

Marc Warzecha (Writer/Director)

Marc Warzecha is originally from Metro Detroit, and now lives in Los Angeles where he has recently appeared on MAD TV and Reno 911. Marc served as writer/director for "Kwame a River: The Chronicles of Detorit's Hip Hop Mayor," a 2009 Wilde Award nominee for "Best New Script." He has worked with The Second City as both an actor and director; most recently directing "BarackStars" in at the Woolly Mammoth theatre in Washington, DC. Other directing credits include: "Pratfall of Civilization" (The Second City ETC - Joseph Jefferson nominee: "Best Director"). "War! Now in it's 4th Smash Year!" (Second City Chicago Mainstage- Joseph Jefferson nominee: Best Director, Best Revue, Best Ensemble), "The Not Ready for $3.99 Prime Rib Players" (Second City Las Vegas), "Woodward to your Mutha" and "Ten: The 10 year Anniersary show" (Second City Detroit). Acting credits include six resident stage reviews at the Second City Detroit, "Romeo and Juliet the Musical" at Chicago Shakespeare theatre, and SCC's "An Evening with Martin Short." Marc's work as a satirist has been featured on ABC's "Nightline", Newsweek, and in the Washington Post, and he has been a guest on CNN's "Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" and NPR's "All Things Considered." Marc is the host "No Waiting with Marc Warzecha," a live talk show that satirizes news and politics, most recently performed at the Comedy Central Stage in Hollywood. Thank you to an excellent cast and crew and to family, friends, and the theatre going community in Detroit whose support made this follow up show possible.