"Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers": Real Detroit Weekly reviews "Kwame a River"

Kwame A RiverBy Danielle MaisanoJan 13, 2009, 10:00

Kwame A RiverThe Chronicles Of Detroit's Hip-Hop Mayor At Second City Laughter is the best medicine, especially when it comes to healing deep wounds. It seems the first sign you’re on the road to recovery is the moment you realize that you can look back at what was once thought to be something devastatingly tragic only to smile and realize that perhaps there's humor to be found.

When it comes to portraying the now- infamous downfall of the former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, one could definitely come up with a joke or two. Sure, the man’s rise and fall could be interpreted as a Shakespearean-esque tragedy, but Kwame will have to settle for a lighter take thanks to The Second City’s latest satire, Kwame A River: The Chronicles of Detroit’s Hip-Hop Mayor.

Alas, Detroiters get the last laugh. Marc Warzecha, who got his start as a Second City cast member in Detroit and now writes comedy material in Hollywood, wrote Kwame A River. And with a cast completely made up of native Detroiters, they do an excellent job in bringing the attitude of The D into the ‘burbs.

“You’d probably not have as warm of a reception [in Detroit],” said Sharon Brooks, who plays everyone from a stripper to Carmen Harlan, to Gov. Granholm. The Spirit of Detroit, portrayed by Ami McClenon, embodies this attitude throughout the show; the famous statue comes to life to guide Kwame through a Dickens-style look back at his time as Mayor. They don’t take as many cheap shots at Kilpatrick as you might think, it’s a more accurate depiction, which once again proves that truth is stranger, and more hilarious, than fiction. We all know how this story ends and most of what happens in between — infamous parties, evil city council conspiracies and Kwame’s security team shooting Channel 7 Action News reporter Steve Wilson to death … OK, that didn't happen but we know they wanted to.

In terms of deeming the show controversial, Warzecha had no worries. “I never thought of it [as overtly controversial]," he said. "I do political and social satire primarily and professionally and I felt a sense of obligation as a satirist to take on this issue. I really felt that someone should tackle it and I’m happy that I could do it.”

And while the show leaves out some of the most notable aspects of Kilpatrick's many scandals, like his accusations of a racist media being to blame for his demise, there are "charming" scenes that bring us back to the headlines, like the skit where the ghost of Mayor Coleman Young comes back to advise Kilpatrick in the form of a bitch-slapping little number titled, “Don’t Get F**king Caught.” “I hope the show is cathartic for Detroiters,” said Warzecha.

“It couldn’t play outside of southeastern Michigan, it’s sort of a big inside joke. It was a tragedy and think the show asks Detroiters to come together. There’s sort of a call to action at the end of the show to say, 'Let's laugh about this and press forward.'” The call to action is a bit touching, I must admit, honoring Kilpatrick’s forgotten attempts to unite the city and suburbs, urging the audience to stand up and tell ‘em you’re from Detroit with pride. RDWKwame A River ... runs thru March 22

http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/content/article_4987.shtml

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.