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+ | [[File:Robinson_as_Zachariah_Petersen_in_the_1999_Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago_production_of_The_Blood_Knot_at_The_Heartland_Cafe_Studio_Theratre_2_.png|frame|left|PASSING FOR WHITE!: Actor JONATHAN PEREIRA as MORRIS ( the white brother ) and Actor / Director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as ZACHARIAH ( the black brother ) in the 1999 EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO Jeff Recommended, Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nominated revival of the great South African playwright ATHOL FUGARD'S drama of apartheid, inhumanity, and brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson and presented at THE HEARTLAND CAFE STUDIO THEATRE in Chicago, Illinois. 1999 ESC Archival Photo of "THE BLOOD KNOT" by PETER BLATCHFORD.]] |
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− | "Starring in Fugard's dramatic masterpiece are Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah and Jonathan Pereira as Morris, who are two brothers living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, victims of the Satanic, oppressive apartheid...Both actors provided for the audience a profound and compelling interpretation of "The Blood Knot" of two brothers white and black who were both confused and bewildered. From beginning to its conclusion, Robinson and Pereira were totally involved in the play...Having seen many productions of "Blood Knot" since it first premiered two decades ago, Excaliber Shakespeare Company's production is by far the best I have witnessed." -- |
+ | '''"Starring in Fugard's dramatic masterpiece are Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah and Jonathan Pereira as Morris, who are two brothers living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, victims of the Satanic, oppressive apartheid...Both actors provided for the audience a profound and compelling interpretation of "The Blood Knot" of two brothers white and black who were both confused and bewildered. From beginning to its conclusion, Robinson and Pereira were totally involved in the play...Having seen many productions of "Blood Knot" since it first premiered two decades ago, Excaliber Shakespeare Company's production is by far the best I have witnessed." -- Earl Calloway, The Chicago Defender,''' Feb. 10, 1999. |
− | "Morris, the lighter younger brother, struggles to maintain his ground against his domineering working-class older and darker brother Zachariah. Actor-director Darryl Maximilian Robinson wears the laborer Zachariah's roughneck demeanor like a pair of well-worn work boots. Douglas Pelletier's portrayal of Morris is a perfect foil to Zachariah...Both actors bring their character's conflict to a boil in physical scenes that are as searing as the scenes of emotional sparring. This production of The Blood Knot shows the path to racial accommodation will not always be painless." -- '''Robert Schultz, The Chicago Outlines, Theatre,''' Feb. 17, 1999. |
+ | '''"Morris, the lighter younger brother, struggles to maintain his ground against his domineering working-class older and darker brother Zachariah. Actor-director Darryl Maximilian Robinson wears the laborer Zachariah's roughneck demeanor like a pair of well-worn work boots. Douglas Pelletier's portrayal of Morris is a perfect foil to Zachariah...Both actors bring their character's conflict to a boil in physical scenes that are as searing as the scenes of emotional sparring. This production of The Blood Knot shows the path to racial accommodation will not always be painless." --''' '''Robert Schultz, The Chicago Outlines, Theatre,''' Feb. 17, 1999. |
− | "There are times when material and individuals click, They mesh. They congeal. Such is the case with the works of Athol Fugard and the actor/director/producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson. As the founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a multi-racial professional Chamber Theatre, he has performed such classics as Beckett, Shaw and Shakespeare with a historical perspective and a obvious love of the material. The production has been well staged. One reason is Robinson himself. His |
+ | '''"There are times when material and individuals click, They mesh. They congeal. Such is the case with the works of Athol Fugard and the actor/director/producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson. As the founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a multi-racial professional Chamber Theatre, he has performed such classics as Beckett, Shaw and Shakespeare with a historical perspective and a obvious love of the material. The production has been well staged. One reason is Robinson himself. His voice soars with appreciative emotion. His stage presence engulfs as it brings life to the character. His is a performance, very well executed. Crisply precise. But, when he performs in a Fugard play, something else happens. He no longer acts a role. He is the role." --''' '''Al Boswell, A Point of View, The Gary Info''', Feb. 4, 1999. |
− | == Joined By Talented Young Actors Jonathan Pereira and |
+ | == Joined By Talented Young Actors Jonathan Pereira and Douglas Pelletier Alternating In The Role of Morris, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, Returning To The Plays Of Athol Fugard, Directed and Played Zachariah In The South African Master Dramatist's ''The Blood Knot'' And Captured A 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination For Best Direction Of An Ensemble == |
+ | Two biological brothers, one white-skinned, one black-skinned, living under the boot of the racist policy of apartheid in Port Elizabeth, South Africa ( as well as living under the same pondokkie roof ), stand at the center of the powerful, emotionally-searing, humorous and touching dramatic masterpiece known as '''Athol Fugard's''' '''''The Blood Knot.''''' |
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− | Two biological brothers, one white-skinned, one black-skinned, living under the boot of the racist policy of apartheid in Port Elizabeth, South Africa ( as well as living under the same pondokkie roof ), stand at the center of the powerful, emotionally-searing, humorous and touching dramatic masterpiece known as '''Athol Fugard's''' '''''The Blood Knot.''''' Morris, the lighter brother, refuses to venture from the house. He does not wish to be identified or caught not fitting in . Zachariah, the darker brother, must work to provide bread and means, but also must face the foul, unjust and oppressive practices the white authorities heap on him at any time for a moment's pleasure. Fugard's tale of oppression, apartheid, and ultimately bonding brotherhood was his first truly acclaimed stage work. Due to the political climate at the time, the work initially received a premiere of one public performance only in 1961, with '''Athol Fugard''' appearing as Morris, and his gifted life-long friend and fellow actor '''Zakes Mokae''' as Zachariah in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, a highly-respected and noted American theatre producer, '''Lucille Lortel''', opted to present the work Off-Broadway in New York in 1964, starring '''J. D. Cannon''' as Morris and '''James Earl Jones''' as Zachariah under the direction of '''John Berry'''. The piece ran at '''The Cricket Theatre''' for 239 performances, '''the first South African in New York play to feature a multi-racial cast, received fine notices, and launched Athol Furgard's American career as a playwright! '''It would be decades later, and only having staged multiple productions of '''Fugard's''' '''''Master Harold And The Boys''''', that Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson''' would feel drawn and compelled to direct and play Zachariah in '''Fugard's poignant, racially-charged tale of sibling rivalry.''' He mounted the ESC's 1999 revival of '''The Blood Knot''' at '''The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre''' in the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City. And he was lucky and blessed to play Zachariah opposite two fine and talented actors alternating in the role of Morris: '''Douglass Pelletier''' and '''Jonathan Pereira.''' Most critics and audiences responded quite positively to Director Robinson's second staging of a Fugard work, and though it ultimately garnered no Chicago Jeff Citation Award nominations, '''The 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival of The Blood Knot was Jeff Recommended.''' And, at the end of the theatre season, for his staging of the play, '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble.''' Mr. Robinson has always been grateful to his "two stage brothers" from The Blood Knot for that. |
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+ | Morris, the lighter brother, refuses to venture from the house. He does not wish to be identified or caught not fitting in. |
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+ | Zachariah, the darker brother, must work to provide bread and means, but also must face the foul, unjust and oppressive practices the white authorities heap on him at any time for a moment's pleasure. |
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+ | Fugard's tale of oppression, apartheid, and ultimately bonding brotherhood was his first truly acclaimed stage work. Due to the political climate at the time, the work initially received a premiere of one public performance only in 1961, with '''Athol Fugard''' appearing as Morris, and his gifted life-long friend and fellow actor '''Zakes Mokae''' as Zachariah in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, a highly-respected and noted American theatre producer, '''Lucille Lortel''', opted to present the work Off-Broadway in New York in 1964, starring '''J. D. Cannon''' as Morris and '''James Earl Jones''' as Zachariah under the direction of '''John Berry'''. The piece ran at '''The Cricket Theatre''' for 239 performances, '''was''' '''the first South African play in New York to feature a multi-racial cast, received fine notices, and launched Athol Fugard's American career as a playwright! ''' |
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+ | It would be decades later, and only having staged multiple productions of '''Fugard's''' '''''Master Harold And The Boys''''', that Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson''' would feel drawn and compelled to direct and play Zachariah in '''Fugard's poignant, racially-charged tale of sibling rivalry.''' He mounted the ESC's 1999 revival of '''''The Blood Knot''' ''at '''The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre''' in the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City. |
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+ | And he was lucky and blessed to play Zachariah opposite two fine and talented actors alternating in the role of Morris: '''Douglas Pelletier''' and '''Jonathan Pereira.''' Most critics and audiences responded quite positively to Director Robinson's second staging of a Fugard work, and though it ultimately garnered no Chicago Jeff Citation Award nominations, '''The 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival of ''The Blood Knot'' was Jeff Recommended.''' |
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+ | And, at the end of the theatre season, for his staging of the play, '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble.''' Mr. Robinson has always been and will be grateful to his "two stage brothers" from '''''The Blood Knot''''' for that. |
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+ | [[File:2016-02-19.png|frame|left|SIBLING RIVALRY IN PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA DURING APARTHEID: Actor JONATHAN PEREIRA as MORRIS ( the white brother ) and Actor / Director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as ZACHARIAH ( the black brother )the 1999 EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO Jeff Recommended, Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nominated revival production of the great South African playwright ATHOL FUGARD'S "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson and presented at THE HEARTLAND CAFE STUDIO THEATRE in Chicago, Illinois. 1999 ESC Archival Photo of "THE BLOOD KNOT" by PETER BLATCHFORD.]] |
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+ | http://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/100345-blood-knot-at-the-heartland-studio-theatre-1999 |
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+ | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297538/otherworks |
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+ | https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-15-9901150208-story.html |
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+ | https://mms.newberry.org/xml/xml_files/ChicagoReaderPP.xml |
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+ | https://en.everybodywiki.com/Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson |
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+ | http://www.jeffawards.org/archives?combine=Darryl+Maximilian+Robinson&field_nomination_category_target_id=94&field_award_year_target_id=58&field_division_target_id=13&field_recipient_value=1 |
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+ | https://www.flickr.com/people/134731864@N02/ |
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+ | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4044376/ |
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+ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drood |
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+ | '''A BLOOD KNOT DIRECTOR & PERFORMER'S UPDATE!:''' |
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+ | Most recently, during an extended year-long visit to his original hometown of Chicago, '''Darryl Maximilian Robinson''' garnered attention for his well-received portrayal of the marvelous dual roles of''' Mr. William Cartwright, Your Chairman of The Music Hall Royale and The Mayor Thomas Sapsea of Cloisterham, England '''in skilled Director / Music Director '''Robert-Eric West's 2018 Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago Revival Production of Rupert Holmes' '''classic Tony Award-winning Best Musical Mystery Whodunit '''''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'' '''presented at the lovely, more than a century old''' St. Bonaventure Church''' in the West Lakeview neighborhood of The Windy City. '''Mr. Robinson's performance was critically-praised, documented earlier this year by ''Wikipedia''', ''and in November of''' 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre''',''' '''captured for him a''' 2019 Chicago BroadwayWorld.com Regional Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ).''' The SSP Revival of''''' ''' '''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'' '''received a grand total of '''Seven 2019 Chicago BroadwayWorld.com Regional Theatre Award Nominations''' including:''' Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity )''' for '''Sarah Myers''''' ''for her fine portrayal of Edwin Drood and Miss Alice Nutting; '''Best Direction of A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) '''for''' Robert-Eric West'''; '''Best Choreography ( Resident Non-Equity ) '''for '''Tamara Drew''';''' Best Costume Design ( Resident Non-Equity ) '''for '''Sandra Leander;''' '''Best Set Design ( Resident Non-Equity )''''' ''for '''Emil Zbella'''; and '''Best Ensemble of A Musical ( Resident Non-Equity )''' for''' THE ENTIRE CAST! '''Those who love musical theatre performance in The Windy City that would like to honor and support the work of Mr. Robinson and his fellow nominees of '''Rupert Holmes' brilliant but seldom performed stage classic''' with their votes for this critically-praised Non-Equity professional theatre production may do so by visiting: '''BroadwayWorld.com Chicago Regional Theatre Awards Voting!''' |
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+ | https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/liveupdateregion.cfm?btype=1583®ion=Chicago#sthash.X7vVbz1q.nsLkIoku.dpbs |
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+ | https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/voteregion.cfm |
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+ | '''Your Continued Support of The Tradition of Non-Equity Professional Theatre In Chicago Is Appreciated!''' |
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+ | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhWim4B2LR0 |
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+ | https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/VIDEO-Darryl-Maximilian-Robinson-Performs-Two-Versions-of-The-Bards-St-Crispins-Day-Speech-in-LA-20191226 |
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+ | https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/calendar/event/20191231/713099/until-dec-31-2019-the-public-may-go-online-vote-for-drood |
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+ | [[File:Darryl Maximilian Robinson Rehearses Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech At LA's Lincoln Heights Jail!-1576979955|thumb|left|335 px]] |
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+ | [[File:Darryl Maximilian Robinson Presents Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech In LA ( The Inside Rendition )!-1577079436|thumb|left|335 px]] |
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+ | '''''Note: '''The muliracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago is pleased, proud and honored to share and present this archival article in acknowledgement of''' 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre!''''' |
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⚫ | [[File:Blood_Knot_Author_Athol_Fugard.jpg|frame|left|THE RENOWNED PLAYWRIGHT AND ORIGINAL MORRIS: The great South African Playwright, Director and Actor Athol Fugard, joined by his friend and associate for many years, Zakes Mokae, playing Zachariah, the black brother, wrote and portrayed the role of the white brother, Morris, in the premiere of "THE BLOOD KNOT" in South Africa in 1961.]][[File:41xCqNLDWfL._SX313_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg|frame|Playscript of "THE BLOOD KNOT" and other fine dramatic works by Athol Fugard.]][[File:Zakes_Mokae_-_photo.jpg|frame|THE ORIGINAL ZACHARIAH: The one and only Zakes Mokae, one of South Africa's truly great stage and screen actors originated the role of Zachariah, the black brother, in the first performance of "THE BLOOD KNOT" in his country of origin in 1961. ]][[File:34256936711_8789c31ac6.jpg|frame|left|A REVIVAL DIRECTOR AND ZACHARIAH: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist Darryl Maximilian Robinson , who won a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award as Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play for his performance as Sam Semela in the ESC's Jeff Citation Best Production-nominated revival of the great Athol Fugard's "MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS", was thrilled and honored to direct and play Zachariah, the black brother, with the fine actors Douglas Pelletier and Jonathan Pereira alternating as his white brother, Morris, in The ESC's 1999 revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. The ESC's revival was JEFF-RECOMMENDED ( judged under consideration for awards ) and he earned a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble for his efforts! ]][[File:20203069310_ce302a4b04.jpg|frame|A REVIVAL MORRIS: Gifted actor Jonathan Pereira received fine notices for his portrayal of Morris, the white brother, in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City.]][[File:19770245744_a42ff70c63.jpg|frame|left|A REVIVAL MORRIS: The talented actor Douglas Pelletier won critical praise in The Chicago Outlines press for his portrayal of Morris, the white brother, in the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City.]][[File:1_(10).jpg|frame|left|Logo of the multiracial chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago by Tony Hrubes.]][[File:34408386645_e8d0d5190c_o.jpg|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Chicago Reader News-photo of Douglas Pelletier as Morris ( the white brother ) and Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Jeff-Recommended revival production of the great South african playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:34408406385_0705a66703_o.jpg|frame|Feb. 1999 Chicago Outlines Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Douglas Pelletier as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" by Robert Schultz. ]][[File:33545348384_8cd91fae52_o.png|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Gary Info Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" by Al Boswell.]][[File:34346158356_b790d0e961_o.png|frame|left|Photo of Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford.]][[File:34257193271_48ab093e2a_o.png|frame|Photo of Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City by Peter Blatchford]][[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_photo_feature_story_on_The_Blood_Knot_from_May_1999_in_The_Chicago_Crusader..png|frame|left|May 1999 Chicago Crusader Feature Story on Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Jeff-Recommended Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. News-photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:1999_Jeff_Recommended_banner_for_The_Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago's_revival_of_Athol_Fugard's_The_Blood_Knot._.jpg|frame|left|A 1999 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee "JEFF RECOMMENDED" Banner for the 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT." ]][[File:Download.jpg|frame|Showcard for Athol Fugard's "THE BLOOD KNOT." ]][[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_Theatre_Review_of_The_Blood_Knot_in_the_Feb._10_edition_of_The_Chicago_Defender..png|frame|left|Feb. 1999 Chicago Defender Theatre Review of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. News-photo by Peter Blatchford. ]][[File:2153_001.jpg|frame|May 1999 Chicago Defender Feature Story on Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah ( the black brother ) and Jonathan Pereira as Morris ( the white brother ) in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Jeff-Recommended revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" directed by Mr. Robinson at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City written by Earl Calloway. ]][[File:1_large_(1).png|right]][[File:The_Heartland_Cafe_Studio_Theatre_in_The_Windy_City..jpg|frame|The intimate Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre of Chicago played host to several Excaliber Shakespeare Company critically-praised, award-nominated and award-winning productions including the ESC's 1999 revival staging of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT."]][[File:1_large_(3).jpg|left]][[File:Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson_earned_a_1999_Black_Theatre_Alliance_/_Ira_Aldridge_Award_Nomination_as_Best_Direction_Of_An_Ensemble_for_Athol_Fugard's_The_Blood_Knot._.jpg|frame|Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist Darryl Maximilian Robinson is winner of a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction of An Ensemble for his staging of the ESC's 1999 critically-praised revival production of the great South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama of brotherhood "THE BLOOD KNOT" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in The Windy City. ]] |
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[[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago_Founder_Daryl_Maximilian_Robinson_as_Inspector_Colquhoun_of_Scotland_Yard_(_right_)_and_Doug_Mattingly_as_his_assistant_Detective_Sgt._Penny_in_The_Hollow.|frame|left|SOLVING A MURDER AT "THE HOLLOW"!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, four-time Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nominee, Los Angeles Marcom Masque Theatre Award Nominee, Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( right ) joined by his assistant DETECTIVE SGT. PENNY, played by skilled actor DOUG MATTINGLY, endeavors to solve a murder at an English countryside estate in AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented in 2014 by The Kentwood Players at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players. ]] |
[[File:Excaliber_Shakespeare_Company_of_Chicago_Founder_Daryl_Maximilian_Robinson_as_Inspector_Colquhoun_of_Scotland_Yard_(_right_)_and_Doug_Mattingly_as_his_assistant_Detective_Sgt._Penny_in_The_Hollow.|frame|left|SOLVING A MURDER AT "THE HOLLOW"!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, four-time Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nominee, Los Angeles Marcom Masque Theatre Award Nominee, Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( right ) joined by his assistant DETECTIVE SGT. PENNY, played by skilled actor DOUG MATTINGLY, endeavors to solve a murder at an English countryside estate in AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented in 2014 by The Kentwood Players at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players. ]] |
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[[File:2017-01-30.jpg|frame|left|A VETERAN STAGE ACTOR IN THE CITY OF ANGELES!: 2016 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in LA by JONATHAN MACHORRO ( Almighty Johnnyy ).]][[File:2017-01-30_(2).jpg|frame|left|A SHAKESPEAREAN IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS!: 2016 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in LA by JONATHAN MACHORRO ( Almighty Johnnyy ). ]][[File:1B27C2E2-15D8-4527-AB1E6081BFA76186.jpg|frame|left|WELCOME TO MR. ROBINSON'S AWARDS ROOM!: 2017 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON displaying his 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Achievement By An Actor In A Principal Role for his performance as SAM SEMELA in the ESC's 1997 revival production of ATHOL FUGARD'S "MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS" by Los Angeles Visual Artist and Photographer J.L. WATT. |
[[File:2017-01-30.jpg|frame|left|A VETERAN STAGE ACTOR IN THE CITY OF ANGELES!: 2016 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in LA by JONATHAN MACHORRO ( Almighty Johnnyy ).]][[File:2017-01-30_(2).jpg|frame|left|A SHAKESPEAREAN IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS!: 2016 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in LA by JONATHAN MACHORRO ( Almighty Johnnyy ). ]][[File:1B27C2E2-15D8-4527-AB1E6081BFA76186.jpg|frame|left|WELCOME TO MR. ROBINSON'S AWARDS ROOM!: 2017 Photo of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON displaying his 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Achievement By An Actor In A Principal Role for his performance as SAM SEMELA in the ESC's 1997 revival production of ATHOL FUGARD'S "MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS" by Los Angeles Visual Artist and Photographer J.L. WATT. |
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+ | [[File:Just_4_Fun_Nominees.jpg|frame|left|AN LA THEATRE AWARD-NOMINATED CAST OF TAD MOSEL'S "IMPROMPTU"!: Elate Best Supporting Actor Award Nominee JOEY TREZISE as TONY, Elate Best Supporting Actress Award Winner LUCY KRUBINER as LORA, Elate Best Supporting Actress Award Nominee CASEY KRUBINER as WINNIFRED were the marvelous fellow actors who helped Los Angeles-based stage veteran DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON earn a 2015 / 2016 Elate Season Ticket Holder Award Nomination as Best Actor for his performance as the debonair, but aging leading man ERNEST in TAD MOSEL'S classic, allegorical one-act of Life In The Theatre "IMPROMPTU" which was presented by THE EMMANUEL LUTHERAN ACTORS' THEATRE ENSEMBLE - ELATE on a bill of one-acts entitled "JUST 4 FUN" at The Lincoln Stegman Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. Photo courtesy of ELATE. ]] |
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[[File:Elate_Honor.jpg|frame|left|A TRULY LOVELY ACTING HONOR!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON is winner of a 2015 / 2016 Los Angeles ELATE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AWARD NOMINATION as Best Actor for his perfomance as ERNEST in the 2016 EMMANUEL LUTHERAN ACTORS THEATRE ENSEMBLE - ELATE revival of TAD MOSEL'S "IMPROMPTU" as part of its bill of one-acts entitled "JUST 4 FUN".]] |
[[File:Elate_Honor.jpg|frame|left|A TRULY LOVELY ACTING HONOR!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Los Angeles-based Theatre Artist DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON is winner of a 2015 / 2016 Los Angeles ELATE SEASON TICKET HOLDER AWARD NOMINATION as Best Actor for his perfomance as ERNEST in the 2016 EMMANUEL LUTHERAN ACTORS THEATRE ENSEMBLE - ELATE revival of TAD MOSEL'S "IMPROMPTU" as part of its bill of one-acts entitled "JUST 4 FUN".]] |
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[[File:34280023981_4af36379fd_o_(1).png|frame|left|OH, GOD...HOW HE DID LOVE BEING KING!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director, Producer and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as KING HENRY II OF ENGLAND and talented young actor PHILIP ALEXIS WATT as PRINCE JOHN starred in the 1992-1993 EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO non-Equity, multiracial cast revival of JAMES GOLDMAN'S "THE LION IN WINTER" at THE WABASH TRIANGLE CAFE in St. Louis, Missouri. Here are the two actors as they appeared on the cover of The Jan. 1993 St. Louis Edition of INTERMISSION MAGAZINE. Photo by CARL VALLE. ]] |
[[File:34280023981_4af36379fd_o_(1).png|frame|left|OH, GOD...HOW HE DID LOVE BEING KING!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director, Producer and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as KING HENRY II OF ENGLAND and talented young actor PHILIP ALEXIS WATT as PRINCE JOHN starred in the 1992-1993 EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO non-Equity, multiracial cast revival of JAMES GOLDMAN'S "THE LION IN WINTER" at THE WABASH TRIANGLE CAFE in St. Louis, Missouri. Here are the two actors as they appeared on the cover of The Jan. 1993 St. Louis Edition of INTERMISSION MAGAZINE. Photo by CARL VALLE. ]] |
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+ | [[File:Los_Angeles-20160919-01044_(1).jpg|frame|left|A HOST AND A GUEST ACTOR PREPARE!:Veteran entertainment journalist and arts reporter RON BREWINGTON welcomes veteran Los Angeles-based stage actor and play director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON ( The Founder of the multiracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago ) to the set of the 9-19-2016 RMCONAIR performing arts television program "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE," Episode 2.37. Photo by RMCONAIR Production Video Cameraman and Technician LARON "LP" Daviston. ]] |
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+ | [[File:Ron-brewington-bradin-stennis-and-darryl-maximilian-robinson-appeared-on-the-dec-30-2019-edition-of-the-actors-choice_31163137611.jpg|frame|left|RETURNING TO "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE"!: Host RON BREWINGTON, Actor BRANDIN STENNIS and returning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON appeared on The December 30, 2019 You Tube Edition of the internet performing arts program "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE" streamed live and recorded in Burbank, California. ]] |
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+ | [[File:Actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson and Actor Brandin Stennis-1578324821|thumb|left|335 px]][[File:81136633_801329743638701_2773155834933280768_n.png|frame|left|LOGO FOR "THE ACTOR'S CHOICE." ]] |
Revision as of 06:36, 16 February 2020
"Starring in Fugard's dramatic masterpiece are Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Zachariah and Jonathan Pereira as Morris, who are two brothers living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, victims of the Satanic, oppressive apartheid...Both actors provided for the audience a profound and compelling interpretation of "The Blood Knot" of two brothers white and black who were both confused and bewildered. From beginning to its conclusion, Robinson and Pereira were totally involved in the play...Having seen many productions of "Blood Knot" since it first premiered two decades ago, Excaliber Shakespeare Company's production is by far the best I have witnessed." -- Earl Calloway, The Chicago Defender, Feb. 10, 1999.
"Morris, the lighter younger brother, struggles to maintain his ground against his domineering working-class older and darker brother Zachariah. Actor-director Darryl Maximilian Robinson wears the laborer Zachariah's roughneck demeanor like a pair of well-worn work boots. Douglas Pelletier's portrayal of Morris is a perfect foil to Zachariah...Both actors bring their character's conflict to a boil in physical scenes that are as searing as the scenes of emotional sparring. This production of The Blood Knot shows the path to racial accommodation will not always be painless." -- Robert Schultz, The Chicago Outlines, Theatre, Feb. 17, 1999.
"There are times when material and individuals click, They mesh. They congeal. Such is the case with the works of Athol Fugard and the actor/director/producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson. As the founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a multi-racial professional Chamber Theatre, he has performed such classics as Beckett, Shaw and Shakespeare with a historical perspective and a obvious love of the material. The production has been well staged. One reason is Robinson himself. His voice soars with appreciative emotion. His stage presence engulfs as it brings life to the character. His is a performance, very well executed. Crisply precise. But, when he performs in a Fugard play, something else happens. He no longer acts a role. He is the role." -- Al Boswell, A Point of View, The Gary Info, Feb. 4, 1999.
Joined By Talented Young Actors Jonathan Pereira and Douglas Pelletier Alternating In The Role of Morris, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, Returning To The Plays Of Athol Fugard, Directed and Played Zachariah In The South African Master Dramatist's The Blood Knot And Captured A 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination For Best Direction Of An Ensemble
Two biological brothers, one white-skinned, one black-skinned, living under the boot of the racist policy of apartheid in Port Elizabeth, South Africa ( as well as living under the same pondokkie roof ), stand at the center of the powerful, emotionally-searing, humorous and touching dramatic masterpiece known as Athol Fugard's The Blood Knot.
Morris, the lighter brother, refuses to venture from the house. He does not wish to be identified or caught not fitting in.
Zachariah, the darker brother, must work to provide bread and means, but also must face the foul, unjust and oppressive practices the white authorities heap on him at any time for a moment's pleasure.
Fugard's tale of oppression, apartheid, and ultimately bonding brotherhood was his first truly acclaimed stage work. Due to the political climate at the time, the work initially received a premiere of one public performance only in 1961, with Athol Fugard appearing as Morris, and his gifted life-long friend and fellow actor Zakes Mokae as Zachariah in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, a highly-respected and noted American theatre producer, Lucille Lortel, opted to present the work Off-Broadway in New York in 1964, starring J. D. Cannon as Morris and James Earl Jones as Zachariah under the direction of John Berry. The piece ran at The Cricket Theatre for 239 performances, was the first South African play in New York to feature a multi-racial cast, received fine notices, and launched Athol Fugard's American career as a playwright!
It would be decades later, and only having staged multiple productions of Fugard's Master Harold And The Boys, that Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson would feel drawn and compelled to direct and play Zachariah in Fugard's poignant, racially-charged tale of sibling rivalry. He mounted the ESC's 1999 revival of The Blood Knot at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City.
And he was lucky and blessed to play Zachariah opposite two fine and talented actors alternating in the role of Morris: Douglas Pelletier and Jonathan Pereira. Most critics and audiences responded quite positively to Director Robinson's second staging of a Fugard work, and though it ultimately garnered no Chicago Jeff Citation Award nominations, The 1999 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival of The Blood Knot was Jeff Recommended.
And, at the end of the theatre season, for his staging of the play, Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nomination for Best Direction Of An Ensemble. Mr. Robinson has always been and will be grateful to his "two stage brothers" from The Blood Knot for that.
http://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/100345-blood-knot-at-the-heartland-studio-theatre-1999
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297538/otherworks
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-15-9901150208-story.html
https://mms.newberry.org/xml/xml_files/ChicagoReaderPP.xml
https://en.everybodywiki.com/Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson
https://www.flickr.com/people/134731864@N02/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4044376/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drood
A BLOOD KNOT DIRECTOR & PERFORMER'S UPDATE!:
Most recently, during an extended year-long visit to his original hometown of Chicago, Darryl Maximilian Robinson garnered attention for his well-received portrayal of the marvelous dual roles of Mr. William Cartwright, Your Chairman of The Music Hall Royale and The Mayor Thomas Sapsea of Cloisterham, England in skilled Director / Music Director Robert-Eric West's 2018 Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago Revival Production of Rupert Holmes' classic Tony Award-winning Best Musical Mystery Whodunit The Mystery of Edwin Drood presented at the lovely, more than a century old St. Bonaventure Church in the West Lakeview neighborhood of The Windy City. Mr. Robinson's performance was critically-praised, documented earlier this year by Wikipedia, and in November of 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre, captured for him a 2019 Chicago BroadwayWorld.com Regional Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ). The SSP Revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood received a grand total of Seven 2019 Chicago BroadwayWorld.com Regional Theatre Award Nominations including: Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Sarah Myers for her fine portrayal of Edwin Drood and Miss Alice Nutting; Best Direction of A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Robert-Eric West; Best Choreography ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Tamara Drew; Best Costume Design ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Sandra Leander; Best Set Design ( Resident Non-Equity ) for Emil Zbella; and Best Ensemble of A Musical ( Resident Non-Equity ) for THE ENTIRE CAST! Those who love musical theatre performance in The Windy City that would like to honor and support the work of Mr. Robinson and his fellow nominees of Rupert Holmes' brilliant but seldom performed stage classic with their votes for this critically-praised Non-Equity professional theatre production may do so by visiting: BroadwayWorld.com Chicago Regional Theatre Awards Voting!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/voteregion.cfm
Your Continued Support of The Tradition of Non-Equity Professional Theatre In Chicago Is Appreciated!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhWim4B2LR0
Note: The muliracial, non-Equity professional chamber theatre, The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago is pleased, proud and honored to share and present this archival article in acknowledgement of 2019: The Year of Chicago Theatre!