"Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers": Mlive says "Kwame a River 2" delivers local laughs

'Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers' delivers local laughs
by Jessica Nunez | MLive.com
Friday August 07, 2009, 1:50 PM

The second 'Kwame a River' installment focuses on Monica Conyers and Detroit after the hip-hop mayor.The sequel to "Kwame a River: The Chronicles of Detroit's Hip-Hop Mayor" debuted last night at Andiamo in Novi and the first reviews are tickling out.

The Detroit Free Press' Ron Dzwonkowski writes that "The Wrath of Conyers" is full of local characters that will have anyone who has lived in the area for the past decade in fits of laughter.

Detroit Free Press, August 6: The script is intensely local, filled with exaggerated portrayals of characters you'll know from politics and TV that drew howls from the opening night crowd. The all-local cast is talented and energetic. Ava Rodgers is a gifted singer who shows her theatrical chops in a variety of roles in the fast-paced series of sketches. She had people rolling as Martha Reeves, bursting into song at every opportunity.

Jamaal Hines is a particular delight as transplanted Texan Kilpatrick, especially in a bit where he gets advice from competing angels in the form of Kilpatrick's predecessors, Dennis Archer and Coleman Young. You can guess who's got the good and bad suggestions.

Encore Michigan says you can also expect hilarious impersonations of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, George W. Bush, Jeff Daniels, Ken Cockrel Jr., Mel Farr Superstar, Kid Rock, Aretha Franklin, Geoffrey Feiger, Ted Nugent, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, L. Brooks Patterson, The Sam Bernstein family, and "the entire unpredictable City Council."

The play will run until Aug. 28 with multiple showings on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2009/08/kwame_a_river_2_the_wrath_of_c.html

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.