'Queenie Pie' bursts with flavor
Oakland Opera Theater revives C.J. Walker's tale
Joe Kempkes
Issue date: 5/22/08 Last update: 5/22/08 at 6:57 PM PST
Section: Arts
While most of us could name Oprah Winfrey as the first black billionaire, few of us could name the first black millionaire. That honor goes to Madame C. J. Walker, who did it a century ago with a line of hair-care products for black women.
Born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana, Walker was the first member of her family born free in 1867. By 1910, Walker provided meaningful employment for over 3,000 black women, who made and marketed her cosmetics. For Walker, it wasn't about the money: her aim was to provide economic opportunity for black people.
When she died in 1919, she left over one million dollars to black educational institutes and charities. The year that Walker died was also a pivotal year for Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington. He was painting signs by day and playing jazz at night and decided to form his first band "Duke's Serenaders."
The group played around his hometown of Washington, D. C. at Embassy parties and society balls. When the roarin' 20's came in, Ellington went to New York City and joined the Harlem Renaissance. The rest, as they say,is history.
What is less known about Ellington is that he worked for years on an opera to commemorate the life of C. J. Walker. Entitled "Queenie Pie" it is finally being performed by the Oakland Opera Theater.
Under the artistic direction of Tom Dean and musical direction of Dierdre McClure, "Queenie Pie" was choreographed by Michael Mohammed and written by Tommy Shepherd. At the time of Ellington's death, "Queenie Pie" was incomplete.
To round out this production, the 25-piece Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra incorporates two well know Ellington compositions: "Creole Love Call" and "On a Turquoise Cloud."
In the role of Queenie Pie is Amanda King, who brings years of stage experience and an uncommon credability to the role. She has to defend her title as "Miss Queenie Pie" taking on all challengers. And, to any woman who gets in her way, she launches a blistering verbal assault.
Born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana, Walker was the first member of her family born free in 1867. By 1910, Walker provided meaningful employment for over 3,000 black women, who made and marketed her cosmetics. For Walker, it wasn't about the money: her aim was to provide economic opportunity for black people.
When she died in 1919, she left over one million dollars to black educational institutes and charities. The year that Walker died was also a pivotal year for Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington. He was painting signs by day and playing jazz at night and decided to form his first band "Duke's Serenaders."
The group played around his hometown of Washington, D. C. at Embassy parties and society balls. When the roarin' 20's came in, Ellington went to New York City and joined the Harlem Renaissance. The rest, as they say,is history.
What is less known about Ellington is that he worked for years on an opera to commemorate the life of C. J. Walker. Entitled "Queenie Pie" it is finally being performed by the Oakland Opera Theater.
Under the artistic direction of Tom Dean and musical direction of Dierdre McClure, "Queenie Pie" was choreographed by Michael Mohammed and written by Tommy Shepherd. At the time of Ellington's death, "Queenie Pie" was incomplete.
To round out this production, the 25-piece Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra incorporates two well know Ellington compositions: "Creole Love Call" and "On a Turquoise Cloud."
In the role of Queenie Pie is Amanda King, who brings years of stage experience and an uncommon credability to the role. She has to defend her title as "Miss Queenie Pie" taking on all challengers. And, to any woman who gets in her way, she launches a blistering verbal assault.
Be the first to comment on this story