East Harlem Repertory Theatre in association with Yolanda Brooks Productions, will revive the critically-acclaimed music and dance-filled play “MANDELA.” Written by Yolanda Brooks (a local NYC civil servant) and John Ruiz Miranda (a retired 9/11 NYC fireman), this compelling drama with many lighthearted moments, garnered great praise during its run at the National Black Theatre and The Actors Temple. Now, this essential stage work comes to the American Theatre of Actors – one of the last theaters from the original Broadway district.

Opening February 8th and running throughout the month, this powerful biographic piece will surely educate and entertain the audience.
Visit www.mandelanyc.com for further info and to make reservations. (please note: some performances may already be sold-out)

Featuring details never before revealed, MANDELA unveils the gripping story of Nelson Mandela in a world forever changed by apartheid.
Confrontational and uncompromising, the play relates Nelson and Winnie Mandela’s pursuit for freedom from oppression in South Africa. This play pushes the envelope by cleverly enacting how the U.S. and South Africa mirrored each other; as protesting Blacks in each country suffered similar social injustices while fighting against oppression; and how the CIA played a mysterious role in Mr. Mandela’s capture. “At this tense time across the country,” says Executive Producer Yolanda Brooks, “the show’s highly sensitive subjects, are even more timely and relevant, making its presence a moving experience for all.”

Geared for the socially-conscious, MANDELA delivers a powerful and timely message in a racially and socially inclusive manner. The multi-cultural cast is comprised of native African, African-American, Caucasian, and Latino actors. MANDELA features Robert Greene, Nadijah Abdul Khaliq, Malika Nzinga, Albin Weidenbladh, James Garrett, Lamine Thiam, Thaddeus Birkett, Yohance Allenye, Tyler McCall, Clark Pena, John Shortt, Lufefe Kente, Keith L.T. Wright and Arlene McGriff.

The production features sound and visual design by John Ruiz-Miranda and Patricio Pereira and the Stage Manager is Julia Walker, with lighting design by Maarten Cornelis.

Yolanda Brooks is a New York City civil servant. Born and raised in Manhattan, her love for the arts blossomed during her youth when she pursued on stage dancing and music. However, it was her gift for writing that propelled her playwriting and production career in 2010. Her plays have entertained over 100,000 school aged children and adults. Some of her works include “Mandela”, “The Motown Story” and “Tribute to African American Inventors”.

John Ruiz Miranda is an award-winning writer, producer, director, politician and philanthropist. A retired 9/11 NYC Firefighter, John has been a producer of children’s theatre since 1983. Recently dubbed “The new Mr. Rogers” by Access Hollywood, John’s productions have been attended by over 1 million NYC children and adults.

ABOUT THE CAST:

Robert Greene (Nelson Mandela) is an actor, director, educator and playwright. He has a MFA in Performance from the University of Louisville. He has also studied at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York. He has performed and premiered new works at The National Black Theatre Festival, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, The August Wilson Center in Pittsburg and The International Theatre Festival of Russia. His past credits include: A Raisin in the Sun, Angels in America, Christmas Carol, King Hedley II, In the Blood, The Winter’s Tale, Blues for an Alabama Sky, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Motown Story. Film: Juwanna Mann and Kentucky: An American Story. Robert premiered his one-person show, Situations.

Nadijah Abdul Khaliq (Winnie Mandela) was born and raised in NYC by way of Virginia beach Virginia. Her career began as a child actor when she was cast in Spike Less “CROOKLYN”. She went on to earn a Bachelors degree from Long Island university Brooklyn campus with a major in modern dance, and a minor in theater. She went on to graduate from the Stella Adler studio of acting conservatory program. She has worked with the diversity players of Harlem, the Paul Robeson theater in Brooklyn, the Hudson guild theater company, playtime theater vision and is a current member of the Harold Clurman theater Lab. She is extremely humbled to make her debut with the East side theater company, as Winnie Mandela.

Ivan Goris (Dennis Goldberg / CIA Agent) has appeared in the Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s executive produced HBO’s show VINYL; Tim Blake Nelson’s “Anesthesia” starring Kristen Stewart; and Netflix’s “The Get Down” produced by Sony Television and SPIKE LEE’S reboot She’s Gotta Have It on Netflix. Ivan is young talent emerging at a fast pace within the film and TV mainstream industry. He is Dominican- American Actor and Writer / Producer born and raised in Manhattan’s Lower East Side with a strong connection to his Latino community.

James R Garrett (Joseph Kwezi) is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in theater. He has worked many years as an Actor in New York. Some of his roles include W.E.B. DuBois, Frederick Douglass, Lewis Latimer, Berry Gordy and a host of other historical characters. James will be portraying Scrooge in the Christmas story this December. James is also producer and host of Phoenix Rising a cable TV talk show.

Lamine Thiam is an accomplished actor, choreographer, dancer, drummer and instructor. Lamine specializes in West African Dance from his native Senegal and neighboring countries. He has graced the stage at venues worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, The United Nations and Lincoln Center (NY), as well as theaters in Japan, Germany, London, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Thaddeus Birkett is a talented song writer and rapper. Thaddeus has been acting for several years. A rapper with recording group American Cream Team that toured with Woo Tang Clan, Thaddeus has appeared in the film “Black and White” and in EHRT production of Martin Luther King and Mandela.

Tyler McCall is a singer and actor based in New York City. He graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy Integrated (Musical Theatre) Conservatory. He’s been seen recently as the Lead in the Off-Broadway production of “Swan Lake Rock Opera”, and The Annual Broadway’s Rising Stars Concert at Town Hall.

Richard Scott hails from Houston TX. A recent graduate from The American Musical Dramatic Academy, he is a local Standup Comic regularly seen at The Broadway Comedy Club.

John Shortt’s Theatrical experience includes leads in Death of a Salesman, 12 Angry Men, tv scenes from Julius Caesar, Macbeth and Othello. Leading roles from music theater include Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Kiss me Kate, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Camelot, The Vagabond King. Mr. Shortt’s most frequently performed leading roles in opera come from Pagliacci, Carmen, Die Walkure, Otello, Samson et Dalila, Aida, Il Trovatore, Turandot and Fidelio. Mr. Shortt has appeared extensively throughout the US with many opera, theatre and musical organizations, as well as in concerts and recitals.

Keith L.T. Wright (N.Y.C. Mayor David Dinkins) is the current Leader of the New York County Democrats; a position he has held since 2009. From 1992 through 2016, he served as a Member of the New York State Assembly. He has taken the role performed by the late NYC Mayor David Dinkins.

Arlene “LaLa” McGriff is an Actress, Singer, Stylist, Entrepreneur from Brooklyn. She sings with several groups, The Cookies, Encorz, and The Supremes Revue. She has been in several plays, “Mandela”, Potpourri of Color, Performing Arts Company, (“Father Where Art Thou”; “Somebody Has to Break the Family Curse”). She is the fashion stylist of her own company, “La-Volution!”