Suzanne Noguere
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Klub Ka, The Blues LegendKlub Ka, The Blues Legend Book and Lyrics by James V. Hatch and Suzanne Noguere Composer Christa Victoria Artistic Consultant Camille Billops Klub Ka, The Blues Legend is a multicultural musical fantasy in the tradition of "The Wizard of Oz." But the stakes for our young heroine’s odyssey are much higher. Suji has been sexually abused by her father since age five. Now 16, writing poetry and longing both to escape her father and become a real poet, she is captivated by the folk poetry and music of a 1920s blues record. When the singer, Papa Gee, materializes out of the record, she is set on a journey to Klub Ka, the home of all blues poets who have ever lived. Her journey is a test at every turn. Guiding her way into the Driftwood Bar, the Egyptian underworld, the Temple of Apollo, and the Swamp of Great Despair are Fixit, the shape-shifting Yoruba trickster Eshu Elegba, and the Three Karmas (Fates). Klub Ka, The Blues Legend was given a full stage production at the University of Iowa in November 2002 as part of its Partnership in the Arts program and an Equity showcase production at La MaMa E.T.C. in New York City in February 2004, both directed by Tisch Jones. As part of the "Take 5" Performance Series, it had a staged reading at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, directed by Jennifer Nelson, artistic director of the African Continuum Theatre Company, in 2006. The play is a stage adaptation of the authors’ novel, The Stone House, A Blues Legend. Cast of Characters Papa Gee, storyteller and old-time blues singer on Okeh Records Suji (Thingamabob), abused girl longing to be a poet Daddy, Suji’s abuser father, a/ Eshu Elegba, the trickster, plays Fixit, the trashman; Daddy Blue the minstrel man; and Thoth, Egyptian god of learning in the Underworld Mama Inanna, Mother Nature The Singing Karmas (The Three Fates), who also play three abused girls: Zzaytha/ Xit/ Pricker/ Francis Thompson, Victorian poet Scripts and music are available as well as a promotional video. A short video can be viewed at www.hatch-billopscollection.org or at www.YouTube.com by typing in: Klub Ka promo. |
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