{"id":394,"date":"2011-10-01T21:58:37","date_gmt":"2011-10-02T02:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/?page_id=394"},"modified":"2024-08-21T19:23:54","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T00:23:54","slug":"karamu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/index.php\/karamu\/","title":{"rendered":"Karamu Theatre &#8211; Actor Dennis Treads the Boards"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">December 1, 2023<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Reginald Kelly Obituary<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Please listen to dear Reggie&#8217;s SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL. It is @ Counter # 12:38 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gainesfuneralhome.com\/obituary\/Reginald-Kelly?fbclid=IwAR3C8hqLuvRMDax-_Rjx4V9D0oENfxZSsjNACrM8fUvUF1-RIQGI1F3lRzs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.gainesfuneralhome.com\/obituary\/Reginald-Kelly<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5368\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2023\/11\/DENNIS-CHANDLER-LIZ-CHANDLER-TRIBUTE-TO-KARAMU-DIRECTOR-OF-SPUNK-REGGIE-KELLY.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2023\/11\/DENNIS-CHANDLER-LIZ-CHANDLER-TRIBUTE-TO-KARAMU-DIRECTOR-OF-SPUNK-REGGIE-KELLY.jpg 624w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2023\/11\/DENNIS-CHANDLER-LIZ-CHANDLER-TRIBUTE-TO-KARAMU-DIRECTOR-OF-SPUNK-REGGIE-KELLY-580x599.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center\">December 6, 2023 &#8230; Copied from our Facebook Page for Dennis &#8230;&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8220;Sad &#8230; that we lost a dear Soul. But, glad that we had such a creative one (albeit for too short a time). Legendary Theatrical-Triple-Threat, <a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reggie.kelly.98?__cft__[0]=AZWGmeaZFiuXujETd2_QC2IWU3hGLk9ErWtvErn41lwjwlz34o1Hpg4KCtGsZzHfPrtvpWTI6j_b5CvSPC_C14JKLra2Su9fxROdUE-8pPBf4EuutcZ7OsbGc8QniBZN7rRUx-TuPYiavKmUxvBqCWWuTEZAcUwFu_o_auWGhbiW2Q3bTUZNzoB4u6f7RRrytGs&amp;__tn__=-]K-R\"><span class=\"xt0psk2\">Reggie Kelly<\/span><\/a>. RIP.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8216;Dennis, set it up!&#8217;&nbsp; A plan to reunite &#8230; with an act ala &#8220;RK &amp; DC Together Again&#8221;. He was going to come over to our house during the holidays. Time went on. It didn&#8217;t happen. But, his memory is a Blessing.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">Backstory of when they first met. It was in 2000 at <a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KaramuHouse?__cft__[0]=AZWGmeaZFiuXujETd2_QC2IWU3hGLk9ErWtvErn41lwjwlz34o1Hpg4KCtGsZzHfPrtvpWTI6j_b5CvSPC_C14JKLra2Su9fxROdUE-8pPBf4EuutcZ7OsbGc8QniBZN7rRUx-TuPYiavKmUxvBqCWWuTEZAcUwFu_o_auWGhbiW2Q3bTUZNzoB4u6f7RRrytGs&amp;__tn__=-]K-R\"><span class=\"xt0psk2\">Karamu House<\/span><\/a>. There Director-Reggie auditioned Musician-Dennis.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dennis.chandler.566?__cft__[0]=AZWGmeaZFiuXujETd2_QC2IWU3hGLk9ErWtvErn41lwjwlz34o1Hpg4KCtGsZzHfPrtvpWTI6j_b5CvSPC_C14JKLra2Su9fxROdUE-8pPBf4EuutcZ7OsbGc8QniBZN7rRUx-TuPYiavKmUxvBqCWWuTEZAcUwFu_o_auWGhbiW2Q3bTUZNzoB4u6f7RRrytGs&amp;__tn__=-]K-R\"><span class=\"xt0psk2\">Dennis Chandler<\/span><\/a> was called &#8220;a GODSEND&#8221; &#8230; and &#8230; &#8220;the RIGHT ONE FOR THE ROLE&#8221; &#8230; by the DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CAST and CREW, alike. Why? The show was ALREADY 5 WEEKS into REHEARSAL &#8230; just 2 NIGHTS AWAY from its FIRST PREVIEW NIGHT &#8230; and they STILL HAD NO GUITARIST. Why? &#8230;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">To explain, Director Reggie said, &#8220;Of all the guitarists who auditioned, many had a FEEL for Blues music &#8230; but &#8230; none could READ music.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">He said &#8230; &#8220;Spunk is a THEATRICAL PLAY and as such &#8230; there is a partial SCORE that &#8230; the composer wants PLAYED AS WRITTEN.&#8221; (Dennis was grateful his teachers taught him to read!)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">Grateful, too for that &#8220;HEY RUBE!&#8221; call, (to use show-biz-vernacular). It was made by my John Adams High School classmate &#8230; MY FELLOW REBEL &#8230; <a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wakeupandlives?__cft__[0]=AZWGmeaZFiuXujETd2_QC2IWU3hGLk9ErWtvErn41lwjwlz34o1Hpg4KCtGsZzHfPrtvpWTI6j_b5CvSPC_C14JKLra2Su9fxROdUE-8pPBf4EuutcZ7OsbGc8QniBZN7rRUx-TuPYiavKmUxvBqCWWuTEZAcUwFu_o_auWGhbiW2Q3bTUZNzoB4u6f7RRrytGs&amp;__tn__=-]K-R\"><span class=\"xt0psk2\">Sue Johnson<\/span><\/a>. She was responsible for what became a fabulous, fun, fulfilling fellowship. Thank you, Sue!<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">What a Sizzling Six Week Long Soulful Summer.&nbsp;A real rockin&#8217; success. Many friendships were made &#8230; during rehearsals &#8230; and &#8230; the run of the show. Which by the way, was &#8230; Sold Out with SRO.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">Their efforts were rewarded later when The Karamu Actors Guild gave &#8220;Best Director&#8221; to Reggie Kelly and Outstanding Performance Award for &#8220;Best Ensemble&#8221;. That can NOT ever be duplicated. Reggie&#8217;s gone. But we are rewarded with these memories.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">Two links follow.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">On Nov. 21, 2023 &#8230; we received a call from Ideastream Public Media&#8217;s Senior Reporter \/ Producer Kabir Bhatia. He gently broke the news to us &#8230; that dear Reggie had passed. We reminisced and shared our thoughts with Kabir &#8230; as did others who also had a deep respect for Reggie. Read on &#8230;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ideastream.org%2Farts-culture%2F2023-11-21%2Fcleveland-performer-reggie-kelly-remembered-for-his-many-talents%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2UTEr26JLyC7EPKHDKZrU6ssYqENTytHb6CgWbKkYi6H_IZ1UZPOZWK3M&amp;h=AT1Lodp_dJX_Xmfm8ZsiLhFDTSam4MMG8B5hqJAgr3ou7Gxwz8cAhstaeg2H7gPIjayRL6p2LR4IXe6PQRIDTsapanHzEfk8TaoqtFSvN1H2Fqyp6kD2aNaQ14iBECw_VROVpMhUkz9TPyn1d3xa&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2NzryEl3Fri9zoWgd3daSTHlxSvX-1cRFv2wfjpEvkTZtC6TzFdQvmb09-Vktg1ilFiH9hQ9LQ3tC3yGYCf7VDC2Per6J92D88BFHE3uTGGFUaCMEri7q_T788XnI_MyGh-hd1HVuYlY8gh3wC_dVQeJqpoH_5xAMvsL8yLM1woHmYQGKWvQNAGVJeiZuEh83PbBpbD8T50Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ideastream.org\/&#8230;\/cleveland-performer-reggie&#8230;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">Also in that 2023 .. published PRINT interview is the link to the 2000 .. ON-AIR interview. It was done by &#8230; WCPN 90.3 Reporter DEE PERRY. She interviewed LIVE &#8230; Director Reggie, Actress Joyce Meadows and Musician Dennis. THAT INTERVIEW WAS IMPORTANT TO REGGIE &#8230; AS HE WANTED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE. Sooo &#8230;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">FIRST, one will hear them talk &#8230; about the three tales told in the stage play &#8230; and its African-American author, Zora Neale Hurston. She was a world-renowned novelist, short story writer and anthropologist. The folklorist helped to lead the Harlem Renaissance. Another important leading figure was her friend &#8230; Poet Laureate, Langston Hughes. (BTW: In his youth &#8230; Langston lived and wrote in the attic of a house in Fairfax &#8230; later treaded the boards at Karamu!) Back to &#8217;bout the interview &#8217;bout Spunk &#8230;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">SECONDLY, one will hear in the WCPN interview &#8230; authentic MUSICAL representation of that era&#8217;s culture as sung and played by Dennis Chandler as &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221;.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">Also spot on? Authentic delivery of some of the the script&#8217;s DISTINCT DIALOGUE &#8230; samplings spoken by the three. It&#8217;s worth tuning in for fifteen minutes (actually 15:39) &#8230; to hear them.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">LISTEN .. as Dennis TALKS &#8230; about the BLUES @ counter # 4:15 &#8230; then PLAYS &amp; SINGS &#8230; the Blues @ counter # 9:35<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<p>LISTEN .. to .. THE DUET of .. &#8220;I&#8217;M TOO GOOD LOOKING FOR YOU&#8221; &#8230; SUNG by Musician-<a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dennis.chandler.566?__cft__[0]=AZWGmeaZFiuXujETd2_QC2IWU3hGLk9ErWtvErn41lwjwlz34o1Hpg4KCtGsZzHfPrtvpWTI6j_b5CvSPC_C14JKLra2Su9fxROdUE-8pPBf4EuutcZ7OsbGc8QniBZN7rRUx-TuPYiavKmUxvBqCWWuTEZAcUwFu_o_auWGhbiW2Q3bTUZNzoB4u6f7RRrytGs&amp;__tn__=-]K-R\"><span class=\"xt0psk2\">Dennis Chandler<\/span><\/a> as &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221; &#8230; and Joyce Meadows as &#8220;Blues Speak Woman&#8221;. Their finale has them joining in harmony, (so to speak). Would that could &#8230; happen again &#8230;<\/p>\n<h1><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/01-Track-1.mp3\">2000 WCPN INTERVIEW ON SPUNK DIRECTOR REGGIE KELLY WITH CAST JOYCE MEADOWS AND DENNIS CHANDLER<\/a><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><strong><em><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/dee-perry-interviews-reggie-kelly-joyce-meadows-and-dennis-chandler\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3063\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3063 \" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/10\/DEE-PERRY-INTERVIEWS-REGGIE-KELLY-JOYCE-MEADOWS-AND-DENNIS-CHANDLER.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"409\" height=\"462\"><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">About Zora Neale Hurston &#8230; go to &#8230;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FZora_Neale_Hurston%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0JnKsrVhQhP0E5Jq6lhz89iUKYtFIGRPkiFtE05d5GgetdGPinLMxG8FM&amp;h=AT3myi0guL5y7-CFQBj8ljpBzDzDff-TixeYPYVHsHYSMmCExEHnR84ThHQ6qBRgpkv7cNp62Q_92YB7pSQEY2Vm9cJCAvnitR1EpLP1Si9FAJnge0pM0M3ibVhRXexzqmOxTQ1Dx6xeLuiHPtUm&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2NzryEl3Fri9zoWgd3daSTHlxSvX-1cRFv2wfjpEvkTZtC6TzFdQvmb09-Vktg1ilFiH9hQ9LQ3tC3yGYCf7VDC2Per6J92D88BFHE3uTGGFUaCMEri7q_T788XnI_MyGh-hd1HVuYlY8gh3wC_dVQeJqpoH_5xAMvsL8yLM1woHmYQGKWvQNAGVJeiZuEh83PbBpbD8T50Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zora_Neale_Hurston<\/a><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">About Langston Hughes &#8230; go to &#8230; <a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLangston_Hughes%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR11-ThOzbnp8K6qRXx3bd5zvK9XKMC3bZkBIZprkpkrn6R9Ac4clC_Pmik&amp;h=AT0o_S71K5t8zNvFX4tuz13kakut6lqiPqXjR7wMeXTPYYZK1HQo2NxkPLghOWMW6XQUvWjuZWc8DOouWtasCENEYbraw3JLyc11fbHtBuHSDZrMyjTFqQKSiuHFFguR_OB2sdmACV91etkqES36&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2NzryEl3Fri9zoWgd3daSTHlxSvX-1cRFv2wfjpEvkTZtC6TzFdQvmb09-Vktg1ilFiH9hQ9LQ3tC3yGYCf7VDC2Per6J92D88BFHE3uTGGFUaCMEri7q_T788XnI_MyGh-hd1HVuYlY8gh3wC_dVQeJqpoH_5xAMvsL8yLM1woHmYQGKWvQNAGVJeiZuEh83PbBpbD8T50Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Langston_Hughes<\/a><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">About Dennis Chandler &amp; DC&#8217;s Long Bio &#8230; go to <a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdennischandler.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1DJL2UODJdD4m6bShpkrKJ7JBNI20K4Wbm_R5N36pRFJTPTS2mFgUM0M8&amp;h=AT1InZASSd9aReSSzqm4iriMNLwoizv6vpExz4g0z03xPWbWSW4ph0EYpVKh9wTWEDnxOZ647pKB6Gh_8NoiiRlHJovaaCtz-SmmeId1IbPguWgmtNnVOu79GriJqI2JGKw5ikAC-1vM3mqhlB5P&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2NzryEl3Fri9zoWgd3daSTHlxSvX-1cRFv2wfjpEvkTZtC6TzFdQvmb09-Vktg1ilFiH9hQ9LQ3tC3yGYCf7VDC2Per6J92D88BFHE3uTGGFUaCMEri7q_T788XnI_MyGh-hd1HVuYlY8gh3wC_dVQeJqpoH_5xAMvsL8yLM1woHmYQGKWvQNAGVJeiZuEh83PbBpbD8T50Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/<\/a><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-collage-6-karamu-spunk-reggie-kelly-dennis-chandler-s\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3001\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3001\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-COLLAGE-6-KARAMU-SPUNK-REGGIE-KELLY-DENNIS-CHANDLER-S.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"393\" height=\"297\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-collage-dennis-chandler-with-cast\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3002\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3002\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-COLLAGE-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WITH-CAST.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"971\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-COLLAGE-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WITH-CAST.jpg 971w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-COLLAGE-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WITH-CAST-580x458.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-COLLAGE-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WITH-CAST-768x606.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-COLLAGE-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WITH-CAST-940x742.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 971px) 100vw, 971px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-dennis-chandler-collage-karamu-marker\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3004\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3004\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-KARAMU-MARKER.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"396\" height=\"376\"><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-dennis-chandler-collage-karamu-alumni-langston-hughes\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3015\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3015\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-KARAMU-ALUMNI-LANGSTON-HUGHES.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-KARAMU-ALUMNI-LANGSTON-HUGHES.jpg 612w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-KARAMU-ALUMNI-LANGSTON-HUGHES-580x405.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">For <em>six wonderful weeks<\/em> back in 2000 &#8230; &nbsp;was it KISMET or KARMA at play at KARAMU? It must have been meant to be &#8230; that Dennis got to a chance to thread the same boards as so many talented theatre folks did, back in the day &#8230; (as they say).&nbsp; For example, the great black poet laureate, <strong>Langston Hughes<\/strong>. He, along with <strong>Elmer Rice<\/strong>, was a collaborator of composer&nbsp;<strong>Kurt Weill<\/strong>. Who are they? For the Uniformed &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elmer_Rice\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elmer_Rice<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Langston_Hughes\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Langston_Hughes<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kurt_Weill\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kurt_Weill<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Why the mentions and links? Well, Dennis&#8217; late mother &#8230; Marguerite&nbsp; &#8230; maiden name was Weill aka Weily.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/kurt-weill-connection-dennis-chandler-1\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3030\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3030\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/KURT-WEILL-CONNECTION-DENNIS-CHANDLER-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"713\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/KURT-WEILL-CONNECTION-DENNIS-CHANDLER-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/KURT-WEILL-CONNECTION-DENNIS-CHANDLER-1-580x610.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 713px) 100vw, 713px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Marge Weill was also related to the Marx family &#8230; and branches included zany vaudevillians like the Marx Brothers. Anyway that fun Karamu connection? Marge&#8217;s Uncle Henry owned and operated Marx Dry Cleaners located in the neighborhood (on Wade Park, I believe at the corner of E. 86th Street). His business was patronized by many theatrical types &#8230; the locals and the ones who came through town while touring the Vaudeville circuit. So <em>are<\/em> those tales that were told &#8230; about how the troupers would take their costumes to be cleaned &#8217;round the corner &#8230; then how they would wait their time out &#8230; at this theatre called, &#8220;Karamu&#8221; (Swahili means &#8220;a place for joyful meeting&#8221;).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/kurt-weill-connection-dennis-chandler-marx-brothers-singing\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3031\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3031\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/KURT-WEILL-CONNECTION-DENNIS-CHANDLER-MARX-BROTHERS-SINGING.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"291\" height=\"208\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Myth or fact. Does not matter to Den. Hallowed ground is Hallowed ground as in Good Vibes. In this case&#8230; those vibes seemed to be there for Trouper Dennis. Playing Karamu &#8230; again &#8230; was it KISMET &#8230; or &#8230; was it KARMA for him? (I know &#8230; from where I sat &#8230; watching the rehearsals and the performances &#8230; it was pure JOY. .<\/p>\n<p>Thank you again, Sue Johnson for making Dennis&#8217; take that &#8220;Hey, Rube!&#8221; call-for-help from Karamu. Special thanks again to director Reggie Kelly for shepherding him in &#8220;Spunk&#8221;. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-script-for-dennis-chandler-guitar-man\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3011\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3011\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-FOR-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"525\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Harlem_Renaissance\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Harlem_Renaissance<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zora_Neale_Hurston\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zora_Neale_Hurston &nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_C._Wolfe\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_C._Wolfe<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em><strong>Back to Dennis doing the blues at Karamu:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Singing and performing in the role of <strong>&#8220;Guitar Man&#8221; <\/strong>&#8230; &nbsp;the <em>only musician<\/em> in<strong> George C. Wolfe<\/strong>&#8216;s <strong>Spunk<\/strong>, earned Dennis and the cast an ensemble award &#8230; (more about that below). He said he <em>loved<\/em> doing this play &#8230; which was based on fables from the pen of <strong>Zora Neale Hurston<\/strong>. Why? Because of the words. The Harlem Renaissance folklorist&#8217;s words. Not only did they inspire the blues music &#8230; <em>written<\/em> by <strong>composer Chic Streetman <\/strong>&#8230; (that Dennis had to duplicate nightly) &#8230; but they also inspired the Guitar Man&#8217;s <em>&nbsp;improvisations.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>How Did It Go?&#8230; Great. Not only did they get <em>rave reviews <\/em>from the critics &#8230; but from nightly audiences as well. So many that they received <strong>Outstanding Performance Awards <\/strong>from the <strong>Karamu Actors Guild <\/strong>for <strong>Best Ensemble <\/strong>and<strong> Best Director<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-guitar-man-dennis-chandler-tableu\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3005\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3005\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-GUITAR-MAN-DENNIS-CHANDLER-TABLEU.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1266\" height=\"1052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-GUITAR-MAN-DENNIS-CHANDLER-TABLEU.jpg 1266w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-GUITAR-MAN-DENNIS-CHANDLER-TABLEU-580x482.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-GUITAR-MAN-DENNIS-CHANDLER-TABLEU-768x638.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-GUITAR-MAN-DENNIS-CHANDLER-TABLEU-940x781.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1266px) 100vw, 1266px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-cast-includes-dennis-chandler-as-guitar-man\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3008\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3008\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-CAST-INCLUDES-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1152\" height=\"935\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-CAST-INCLUDES-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-CAST-INCLUDES-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN-580x471.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-CAST-INCLUDES-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN-768x623.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-CAST-INCLUDES-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN-940x763.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1152px) 100vw, 1152px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-two-days-before-opening-dennis-chandler-is-cast\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3009\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3009\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-TWO-DAYS-BEFORE-OPENING-DENNIS-CHANDLER-IS-CAST.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1067\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-TWO-DAYS-BEFORE-OPENING-DENNIS-CHANDLER-IS-CAST.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-TWO-DAYS-BEFORE-OPENING-DENNIS-CHANDLER-IS-CAST-580x489.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-TWO-DAYS-BEFORE-OPENING-DENNIS-CHANDLER-IS-CAST-768x648.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-TWO-DAYS-BEFORE-OPENING-DENNIS-CHANDLER-IS-CAST-940x793.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1067px) 100vw, 1067px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">About Those Rave Reviews &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>In the July 19, 2000 issue of the <strong>Cleveland Free Times <\/strong><em>theater critic <\/em><strong>James Damico<\/strong> gave <em>a rave review <\/em>of the play <strong>Spunk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In the July 6, 2000 issue of <strong>Scene magazine <\/strong><em>theater critic<\/em> <strong>Keith Joseph<\/strong> gave a <em>rave review<\/em> of the play <strong>Spunk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">More About Those Awards &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><em>Two <\/em><strong>Outstanding Performance Awards<\/strong> went to &#8220;Spunk&#8221;. The <strong>Karamu Actors Guild<\/strong> awarded <strong>Reggie Kelly <\/strong>for <strong>Best Direction<\/strong> and the <strong>Best Ensemble<\/strong> award went to the cast which included <strong>Cornell Calhoun<\/strong>, <strong>S. J. Hannah<\/strong>, <strong>Terri Singleton<\/strong>, <strong>Kelvin Willingham<\/strong>, <strong>Joyce Meadows<\/strong> as Blues Speak Woman and <strong>Dennis Chandler <\/strong>as Guitar Man.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">More about the play &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>Spunk<\/strong>&#8221; was adapted by <strong>Tony award winner George C. Wolfe <\/strong>and is based on three fables from folklorist and Harlem Renaissance writer <strong>Zora Neale Hurston<\/strong>. Her trio of tales transcends cultural differences and addresses universal values. The play combines the richness of African-American dialogue with the underscored sultry sounds of the blues. It is a tender, intimate look at man&#8217;s common yearning to live a better life.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">More about the music in the play &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Composer <strong>Chic Street Man aka Chic Streetman <\/strong>&#8230; wrote the songs, along with the scored musical interludes. The author has also written in where the play&#8217;s <em>lone<\/em> musician, Guitar Man, may improvise.<\/p>\n<p>Plus this production at Karamu featured that character &#8230; Guitar Man &#8230; as played by Dennis &#8230;singing two songs by the<strong> great bluesman Jimmy Reed. <\/strong>Since this bluesmaster was another one Dennis had the blessing of working with &#8230; he was overjoyed to sing and play Reed&#8217;s <strong>&#8220;Honey, What&#8217;s Wrong?<\/strong>&#8221; and <strong>&#8220;Bright Lights,Big City&#8221;<\/strong>. (More about that below.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">More about the <strong>Karamu Performing Arts Theatre <\/strong>&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>Karamu was <em>first known<\/em> as the Playhouse Settlement. It was founded by two white social workers, <strong>Rowena &amp; Russell Jelliffe<\/strong>, as a recreation center. It became <em>nationally known for its dedication to interracial theater and the arts. <\/em>It is <em>the oldest African-American Cultural Arts Center <\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">and <\/span><em style=\"font-weight: 300\">the oldest African-American Theater <\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Listed as a <strong>National Historic Landmark<\/strong>, the complex is located at E. 89th &amp; Quincy in the city&#8217;s <strong>Fairfax<\/strong> community. That &#8216;hood is also home to another world-renowned institution, the <strong>Cleveland Clinic<\/strong> just two blocks north. Karamu is Swahili for <em>&#8220;a place of joyful meeting&#8221;.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Karamu_House\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Karamu_House<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Karamu_House\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3007\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3007\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-PROGRAM-WITH-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"443\" height=\"573\"><\/a><\/em>More about Dennis&#8217; part in the play &#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>As <em>the only musician,<\/em> &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221; had<em> more<\/em> than a couple of interesting musical moments. He was seen <em>throughout the three fables<\/em>, playing his acoustic guitar, punctuating action with music. During<em> most<\/em> of that time, Dennis was seen and heard from stage right.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-script-dennis-chandler-guitar-man-cues\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3066\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3066\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-CUES.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"779\" height=\"1076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-CUES.jpg 779w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-CUES-580x801.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-CUES-768x1061.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-script-dennis-chandler-guitar-man\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3065\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3065\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"951\" height=\"832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN.jpg 951w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-580x507.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-768x672.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/10\/SPUNK-KARAMU-SCRIPT-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-940x822.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 951px) 100vw, 951px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jimmy Reed<\/strong>&nbsp; Why did Musician-Dennis as &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221; want to pay a little homage to Reed &#8230; aka one of his &#8220;teachers&#8221;?&nbsp; Who was he? <b>Reed was the first of the Chicago electric bluesmen to break through to the pop\/rock market<\/b>. Reed had fourteen hits for Vee Jay Records on the R&amp;B charts between 1955 and 1966. Reed was an epileptic and this fact, plus his fascination for the bottle, constantly undermined his work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A priceless memory of the bluesman would come to mind nightly for &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221;. Why? The Reed songs resonated for him because way back in the day &#8230; and just a little way &#8217;round the corner from Karamu &#8230; 7500 Euclid Avenue to be specific &#8230; was where DC got to do a gig with great Reed. It was at the old Quad Hall Hotel that housed the iconic club called &#8220;Leo&#8217;s Casino&#8221;.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Bright Lights, Big City&#8221;<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8230; was the <strong>Jimmy Reed<\/strong> song Dennis did &#8230;<em> center-stage<\/em> for his <strong>solo number.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;I&#8217;m Too Good Looking for You&#8221;<\/strong> &#8230; another <em>show-stopping number<\/em> paired Dennis as &nbsp;<strong>&#8220;Guitar Man&#8221;<\/strong> with <strong>Joyce Meadows <\/strong>as<strong> &#8220;Blues Speak Woman&#8221;<\/strong>. They sang a musical repartee in a duet <em>that brought the house down<\/em>. Scroll back up &#8230; to the link to hear Joyce and Dennis do a short reprise &#8230; for radio show host Dee Perry &#8230; (on that above mentioned WCPN interview). &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The third act opening-scene featured Dennis doing more music. Choreographer Reggie Kelly&nbsp; had dancer <strong>Terri Singleton <\/strong><em>jumpin&#8217;<\/em> to the <em>jivin&#8217; <\/em>guitar of &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Later in the third act, Dennis as &#8220;Guitar Man&#8221; did another <strong>Jimmy Reed<\/strong> song, <strong>&#8220;Honey What&#8217;s Wrong?&#8221;. <\/strong>Again <strong>Joyce Meadows<\/strong> as &#8220;Blues Speak Woman&#8221; got to <em>boogie<\/em> to the beat along with <strong>S.J. Hannah<\/strong> and the rest of the cast would join in singing, too.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jimmy_Reed\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jimmy_Reed<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">About Dennis&#8217; audition &#8230;&nbsp;to repeat &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Dennis was called &#8220;<strong>a Godsend<\/strong>&#8221; &#8230; and &#8230; &#8220;<strong>the right one for the role<\/strong>&#8221; &#8230; by the director, executive director, cast and crew, <em>alike<\/em>. Why? When the show was already <em>5 weeks into rehearsal<\/em> and <em>just 2 nights away<\/em> from its first preview night &#8230; they still had <em>no <\/em>guitarist. To explain, Director Reggie said, &#8220;<strong>Of all the guitarists who auditioned, many had a <em>feel<\/em> for the blues &#8230; but &#8230;&nbsp; <em>none <\/em>could read music<\/strong>.&#8221; He said &#8230; &#8220;<strong><em>Spunk is a theatrical play and as such &#8230; there is a partial score that &#8230; <strong>&#8220;the composer wants played &#8230; as written<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><em>.<\/em><em>&#8221; (Dennis was grateful his teachers taught him to read!)&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-note-to-dennis-chandler-guitar-man\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3014\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3014\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-NOTE-TO-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"767\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-NOTE-TO-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN.jpg 767w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-NOTE-TO-DENNIS-CHANDLER-GUITAR-MAN-580x397.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">About playing the Blues &#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>Take note, music students. Recall that adage about learning the theory behind the music one makes? At Dennis&#8217; very own audition it proved so true. He said he was glad he could accommodate <strong>Reggie Kelly<\/strong>&#8216;s vision of what the director wanted <em>&#8220;the sheet music to do&#8221;. <\/em>Another dictum that proved out? <em>&#8220;Blues is a feeling not just a form. You can put form on paper but you can&#8217;t put feeling on paper!&#8221; <\/em>He said he felt proud he could show good form along with good feeling, too, so to speak.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Back to about Karamu &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>It is a known fact among actors, that being invited to perform there is <em>an honor<\/em>. Hence the reason so many actors who have &#8220;made it&#8221; i.e., on Broadway, in the movies, on television, etc., always come back to Karamu.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">But, back to Karamu&nbsp;<em>for Dennis <\/em>&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>It meant doing &#8220;Spunk&#8221; was a homecoming of sorts. Being it&#8217;s an honor to be invited even once &#8230; coming back this second time was also really appreciated. To explain &#8230; It was back in &#8217;94 that Dennis<em> first<\/em> did Karamu. It was thanks to arts acquaintance <strong>Dick Gregory <\/strong>and the humanitarian&#8217;s sister-in-law\/ writer <strong>Martha Smith <\/strong>and cousin <strong>Web Fleming<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/web-fleming-dick-gregory-dennis-chandler-willard-oh-fb-a1\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3052\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3052\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/WEB-FLEMING-DICK-GREGORY-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WILLARD-OH-FB-A1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1245\" height=\"876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/WEB-FLEMING-DICK-GREGORY-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WILLARD-OH-FB-A1.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/WEB-FLEMING-DICK-GREGORY-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WILLARD-OH-FB-A1-580x408.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/WEB-FLEMING-DICK-GREGORY-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WILLARD-OH-FB-A1-768x540.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/WEB-FLEMING-DICK-GREGORY-DENNIS-CHANDLER-WILLARD-OH-FB-A1-940x661.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1245px) 100vw, 1245px\" \/><\/a><strong>New Day Press Black History Month Celebration<\/strong> &#8230; hosted Musician Dennis Chandler and Singer Web Fleming. They were the only entertainers invited to perform. Accompanist Dennis did his duty and made &#8230; Baritone Web Fleming &#8230; a former Wings Over Jordan soloist &#8230; <em>soar.&nbsp; <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>About &#8230; the Wings Over Jordan Choir &#8230; for the Uniformed &#8230; go to ..<em>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wings_Over_Jordan_Choir\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wings_Over_Jordan_Choir <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">They performed a program of &#8230; Blues &#8230; Gospel &#8230; and &#8230;Negro Spirituals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>&nbsp;<\/em>They especially enjoyed the <strong><em>standing ovation <\/em><\/strong>they received <em><strong>from a sold-out house. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">To<em> fully<\/em> understand<em> how meaningful<\/em> it was for Dennis<em> to play that same stage again<\/em>, his &#8220;second time around&#8221; &#8230; fit and healthy &#8230; read this website&#8217;s page &#8230; recently re-titled &#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em><strong>&#8220;A Journey: Dennis Beats AML Leukemia&#8221;<\/strong><\/em> &#8230; go to &#8230;&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/index.php\/the-journey\/\">https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/index.php\/the-journey\/<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-dennis-chandler-collage-for-spunk-peeps\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3016\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3016\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-FOR-SPUNK-PEEPS.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1050\" height=\"815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-FOR-SPUNK-PEEPS.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-FOR-SPUNK-PEEPS-580x450.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-FOR-SPUNK-PEEPS-768x596.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-DENNIS-CHANDLER-COLLAGE-FOR-SPUNK-PEEPS-940x730.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To those involved at Karamu&#8230;. Dennis asked to post a shout out of thanks to the cast, crew and staff, who along with all the audiences there, made him feel <em>so welcome<\/em>. As <em>a first time actor<\/em> treading the boards, he relished the <em>rave<\/em> reviews and the awards. He gives thanks to all the folks there but, most of all; <em>Dennis <\/em>thanks <strong>God<\/strong> for opening the door.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/index.php\/karamu\/spunk-karamu-program-dennis-chandler-as-guitar-man\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3010\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3010\" src=\"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/files\/2019\/09\/SPUNK-KARAMU-PROGRAM-DENNIS-CHANDLER-AS-GUITAR-MAN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"900\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Thanks again to all &#8230; and most of all &#8230; dear Reggie.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Liz Chandler Web Writer aka &#8220;Mrs. Dennis&#8221; aka Archivist&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>December 1, 2023 Reginald Kelly Obituary Please listen to dear Reggie&#8217;s SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL. It is @ Counter # 12:38 &#8230; https:\/\/www.gainesfuneralhome.com\/obituary\/Reginald-Kelly December 6, 2023 &#8230; Copied from our Facebook Page for Dennis &#8230;&nbsp; &nbsp; &#8220;Sad &#8230; that we lost a dear Soul. But, glad that we had such a creative one (albeit for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-394","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Karamu Theatre - Actor Dennis Treads the Boards - Dennis Chandler<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/index.php\/karamu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Karamu Theatre - Actor Dennis Treads the Boards - Dennis Chandler\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"December 1, 2023 Reginald Kelly Obituary Please listen to dear Reggie&#8217;s SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL. 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