"Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers": The Detroit Free Press previews "Kwame a River" Opening Night

Posted: Dec. 31, 2008
'Kwame a River' parody opens tonight
BY JOHN MONAGHANFREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

While Kwame Kilpatrick serves time in Wayne County Jail, he's about to be put through comic trials in "Kwame a River," a new satirical production being staged at Second City's Novi location.

The show, subtitled "Chronicles of Detroit's Hip-Hop Mayor," features a Spirit of Detroit "Christmas Carol"-style narrator who forces the former mayor to fess up to his wrongdoings.
The production opens for a nearly three-month run with two shows tonight, but unveiled a preview performance Tuesday night that was attended primarily by family and friends of the cast.

Kilpatrick, played by native Detroiter Connell Brown Jr., remains defiant through about a dozen loosely-connected skits.

The bits involve everything from fantasy conversations with former Mayor Coleman Young to a scene depicting the much-rumored, but never-proven, Manoogian Mansion party -- including a dance by a stripper named Peaches.

The six-member cast plays characters as varied as auto mogul Henry Ford, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, news anchor Carmen Harlan, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer.

"Kwame a River" opens with two dinner-theater shows tonight (5 and 7 p.m. dinner seatings; performances 7 and 9 p.m.). It will be staged at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday through March 22. Tickets ($15-$20 except tonight), are available at Ticketmaster or by calling 248-348-4448.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081231/NEWS05/812310407/

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.