‘Sparkle’ Saturday matinee at Black Rep benefits the Bay View

by Sharon Jones

Sparkle-1976-movie-web1, 'Sparkle' Saturday matinee at Black Rep benefits the Bay View, Culture Currents “Sparkle” is a GREAT play from a GREAT film now playing at the Black Repertory Group Theatre, 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, across from Ashby BART. This is the first stage production of the classic musical – and it’s a hit!

The Saturday matinee THIS SATURDAY, Nov. 28, at 2:30 p.m., is a benefit for the SF Bay View newspaper.

Call (510) 652-2120, make your reservation(s), mention the Bay View and get an amazing discount.

Who composed the music? Curtis Mayfield! Whose lives are evoked by this moving and wonderful play? The Supremes!

Reviewers praise the play and the players

Bay View arts editor Wanda Sabir: “It is marvelously sung and acted. The cast is fantastic, especially the lead, Sparkle! The live band is all the way live! The musical direction is great too and the songs from the film are sung just the way one remembers them.”

Minister of Information JR: [“Sparkle” is a classic drama that] “teach[es] people lessons without preaching at them”!

Epheann English, who plays Sista, is a triple threat — a young starlet who can sing, dance and act. Born on the Southside of Chicago, now a student at Contra Costa College, she appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show” and “Martin” with Martin Lawrence, performed with Wynton Marsalis and participated in shows at different venues around California before “retiring” to raise a family.

Sparkle-Allena-Alasade-Epheann-English-at-Black-Rep-1109-by-Isaac-Thomas-The-Advocate, 'Sparkle' Saturday matinee at Black Rep benefits the Bay View, Culture Currents Excited about “Sparkle,” she told The Advocate, the college newspaper, that she sees performing in this play as a way to help her recapture a love for the stage. Fellow cast member Albertha Henry says, “English is a great leader,” The Advocate reports.

“'(She) is always willing to help others in need,’ Henry said. ‘With all the work she is doing with the play, the turnout should be really good.’

“Sean Vaughn Scott, director of the play, said English is a real teacher’s teacher when it comes to music, and with all the big names that she has worked with, she brings experience to the cast.

“’She is a very positive influence and keeps a really upbeat and positive attitude about everything,'” according to The Advocate.

Give ‘Sparkle’ as a gift to yourself and your loved ones

This week’s Saturday matinee is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays with those you love. Treat yourself to “Sparkle” and take along your loved ones.

Remember, the process is easy. Just call (510) 652-2120, reserve your ticket(s), mention the Bay View and get a discount.

The Bay View needs your support, and you deserve to see a play that will leave you, like Sparkle and her sisters, singing your troubles away!