BPP presents 'Harry and the Streetbeat'

"Harry and the Streetbeat" a play written by nationally-known African-American playwright OyamO, will premiere in Bloomington this weekend. \nThe Bloomington Playwrights Project will present the world premiere of "Harry and the Streetbeat" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. OyamO will be present at both performances and at the "talk back." \nFollowing the Saturday showing of the play, the Bloomington Playwrights Project will host a "talk back" -- audience members are invited to ask the cast, director and writer questions. \nAccording to www.bridgesweb.com/blacktheatre/oyamo.html, OyamO's real name is Charles Gordon, which is similar to that of playwright, Charles Gordone. "OyamO" developed from a skewed interpretation of his Miami University of Ohio T-shirt which was coined by some Harlem youths in the late 60s. The capitalized "O" is the playwright's own touch.\nThe play is directed by James Mumford, IU's Afro-American Choral Ensemble director. Although Mumford does not have a degree in theater, he has extensive theatrical background. Mumford has also acted in three Broadway plays, including, "Little Shop of Horrors," in which he sang the part of the plant. He also established the Camden, New Jersey Repertory Company, a group of young African-American actors who stayed together for fifteen years.\nRichard Perez, BPP artistic director and producer of the play, worked with Mumford before and approached him to direct "Harry and the Streetbeat."\n"He has a reputation as a positive role model in the African-American community," Perez said. "He has great connections, and I knew he would assemble a wonderful cast, which he has."\nPerez said he chose "Harry and the Streetbeat" because it is a great story and also because he was interested in bringing a more diverse play season to Bloomington.\n"I saw the play in a workshop, and I fell in love with the characters, and also the message," Perez said.\nThe play appealed to Mumford for the same reasons.\n"I don't recall there ever being a production based on African-American culture and history by a legitimate theater group," Mumford said.\nLike Perez, Mumford enjoyed the characters in the play.\n"I know all the characters in the play so well," he said. "They were so familiar to me."\nMumford was also attracted to the large number of African-American roles.\n"Normally I would not have such a large cast," he said. "But I decided to cast every black role with a black person." \n"Harry and the Streetbeat" will run through March 7. The play will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 355-9001.\n--Contact staff writer Haley Beck at habeck@indiana.edu.