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Revision as of 05:38, 23 December 2019

Inspired by The Late, Great Charles Laughton-Charles Boyer-Sir Cedric Hardwicke-Agnes Moorehead 1950s Evening-Dress Dramatic Reading of The Work, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson Directed and Played The Devil With A New, Multiracial Drama Quartette for The ESC's 1998 Revival of George Bernard Shaw's Don Juan in Hell at The Holstein Park Theatre In Chicago's Bucktown Neighborhood!

Sometimes a theatre director or stage actor is drawn to a dramatic or literary work simply because of the way it looks, or the way it was originally visualized on the stage. A legend of the English Stage and an Oscar-winning Best Actor ( for his wonderful and sterling character portrayal of King Henry VIII on screen ), the late, great Charles Laughton was no stranger to the wit, wisdom and feisty intellectual arguments made onstage in the works of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. However, it was quite the theatre season surprise and wonderful treat, when in 1952, he gathered a group of his Hollywood friends including internationally-acclaimed film star Charles Boyer ( who would receive A Special Tony Award at the end of the season ) as Don Juan, Sir Cedric Hardwicke ( who will go on to play Pharaoh Sethi in Cecil B. De Mille's The Ten Commandments ) as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) and Agnes Moorehead ( early on, famed in Orson Welles' 1941 Mercury Theatre Company Film Citizen Kane, later on, famed as The Enchantress Mother and Mother-In-Law-From-Hell Endora of 1960s TV's Bewitched ) as Don Ana, so he could direct the text and star opposite them as The Devil in a legendary staged dramatic reading of Don Juan In Hell, a noted third act dream sequence extrapolation ( often omitted in revivals ) from Shaw's epic 1903 drama Man And Superman. Most dramatic readings of a play, even with a celebrity cast, last for a run of about a night or two. Charles Laughton's "reading" ran at New York's Plymouth Theatre for 66. And, later, frequently joined by the same cast or other equally-acclaimed celebrities, Laughton played multiple additional engagments of the work, and created a memorable original cast recording of Shaw's Comedy of Life After Death. Columbia Records Producer Paul Gregory's SL-166 1952 original cast First Drama Quartet recording in mono is how the work came to the attention of Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Principal Actor Darryl Maximilian Robinson. He initially heard the First Drama Quartette in the late 1970s, then later played the Devil opposite Actor-Producer-Director Mark Carroll as Don Juan in a staged reading of the work for Mark Carroll Productions at Arlington Heights' Cutting Hall Theatre in 1986. After he formed his own theatre, Excaliber Productions, Ltd. of Chicago ( later The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago ) in 1987, Mr. Robinson decided he would in the future, if he found the right cast, return to the work as a fully-mounted production. Darryl Maximilian Robinson first staged a fully-mounted Don Juan In Hell in 1991 at both The Utopian Loft Gallery and Theatre and The Old Post Office in St. Louis. The skilled Founding Excaliber St. Louis Resident Acting Company Members Christian Kohn as Don Juan, Walter Arlie Roberts as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) and Suzette Sutton as Don Ana did fine work ( some critically-praised ) working under Mr. Robinson's direction and effectively interacted with his portrayal of The Devil. It was a fine show. Years would pass, and it was only in the late 1990s that Mr. Robinson felt pulled to Shaw's witty piece again. And on that occasion he directed and played The Devil with A New, Multiracial Drama Quartette that included talented actors Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan, Jim Spencer as The Statue and Liz Robertson as Dona Ana in the 1998 ESC revival of Don Juan In Hell at The Holstein Park Studio Theatre in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. Fascinated by the 1950s evening-dress attire of Laughton's New York staged reading, and determined this new staging would more embrace "the love and beauty" aspects of the work mentioned numerous times by multiple characters in Shaw's wonderful text, Mr. Robinson had the cast in elegant attire ( as he did in 1991 ), and asked talented young painter and photographer J. L. Watt ( a member of The Excaliber Productions, Ltd. of Chicago St. Louis Resident Company ) to come up to The City That Works and serve as Special Visual Guest Artist for the run and create a massive and marvelous set painting. Sometimes, in the Theatre, its not just about the quality of the sound. Sometimes, it's about how it looks.



A DEVIL OF A PERFORMER ALUM'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 Wikipediaand 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 WestBest 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/liveupdateregion.cfm?btype=1583&region=Chicago#sthash.X7vVbz1q.nsLkIoku.dpbs

https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/voteregion.cfm

Your Continued Support of The Tradition of Non-Equity Professional Theatre In Chicago Is Appreciated!

https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/calendar/event/20191231/713099/until-dec-31-2019-the-public-may-go-online-vote-for-drood http://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/100343-don-juan-in-hell-at-holstein-park-theatre-1998

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https://theatreblogofdarrylmaximilianrobinson.blogspot.com/

https://www.flickr.com/people/134731864@N02/

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

https://en.everybodywiki.com/Darryl_Maximilian_Robinson


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Darryl Maximilian Robinson Rehearses Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech At LA's Lincoln Heights Jail!-1576980297




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Darryl Maximilian Robinson Presents Bard's St. Crispin's Day Speech In LA ( The Inside Rendition )!-1577079515


Note: The multiracial, 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!  This theatre article is also presented in appreciation of the fine and committed work of all of Excaliber Productions, Ltd. Company Members of St. Louis, Missouri and as part of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project.



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A DELIGHTFULLY DEVILISH DIRECTOR: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director and Producer DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON directed and starred as THE DEVIL in both the 1991 Excaliber Productions, Ltd. of Chicago St. Louis Revival at The Utopian Loft Gallery and Theatre and The Old Post Office and the 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Revival Staging of the great GEORGE BERNARD SHAW'S "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City.

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A DASHING LATIN LEADING MAN: The highly-gifted and talented actor SAM RAMIREZ ( who recently returned to the Chicago Theatre Professional Acting Community with his well-received work with THE FACTORY THEATRE and THREE CAT PRODUCTIONS ) starred as DON JUAN in Director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON's 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival staging of the great GEORGE BERNARD SHAW'S "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City.

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Logo of the non-Equity, professional, multiracial chamber theatre The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago designed by Tony Hrubes.

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AN ACCLAIMED EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO ALUM!: Multi-talented Chicago and New York Stage Actor CHRISTIAN KOHN was a member of the original St. Louis Resident Acting Company of EXCALIBER PRODUCTIONS, LTD. OF CHICAGO starring in the title role of GEORGE BERNARD SHAW'S "DON JUAN IN HELL", presented at The Utopian Loft Gallery and Theatre as well as The Old Post Office of St. Louis in 1991, and appearing as A FEATURED PERFORMER in Founder, Producer and Director DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON'S dramatic readings of "A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES AND MORE TALES" by DYLAN THOMAS and "THE RAVEN AND SIX OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST" by EDGAR ALLAN POE. Currently a high-in-demand east coast stage performer with Broadway credits, Mr. Kohn also serves frequently as A Lecturer of Drama.

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The great Irish playwright and social critic George Bernard Shaw, winner of A Nobel Prize for Literature and A 1938 Academy Award for His Screen adaptation of "PYGMALION", which he famously used as a paperweight.

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THE ORIGINAL CAST FROM HELL: The autographed Plymouth Theatre Playbill of the acclaimed 1951-52 original Broadway cast of Charles Laughton, Charles Boyer, Agnes Moorehead and Sir Cedric Hardwicke in the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL."

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THE COMPANY YOU KEEP REALLY CAN BE HELL!: Gifted Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Members Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan, Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil and Liz Robertson as Dona Ana in the 1998 ESC revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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THE DEVIL EXPLAINS THE ORDER OF THINGS: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil ( center ) shares with Jim Spencer as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) the Order of Things In The Afterlife in the 1998 ESC revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by J. L. Watt.

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A DIRECTOR ADDING HELLISH FINISHING TOUCHES: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( center, holding bust of Shakespeare ) gives a few notes to talented actors Matt Brown ( left ) and Fannon Holland ( right ) who play "Some Perfect Devils" before Mr. Robinson arrives onstage as The Devil in the 1998 ESC revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's marvelous comedy of Life After Death "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holsteion Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by J. L. Watt.

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PRAYING AVAILS YOU NOTHING IN SHAW'S HELL: Talented ESC Actors Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan, Liz Robertson as Dona Ana and Jim Spencer as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) in ESC Founder and Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of the 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's marvelous comedy of Life After Death "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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A MEETING OF THE MINDS IN THE AFTERLIFE!: The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago, a non-Equity, professional, multiracial chamber theatre, had one of the finest moments of its 15-year production history when it presented A NEW DRAMA QUARTETTE of Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil, Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan, Jim Spencer as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) and Liz Robertson as Dona Ana in the ESC's 1998 revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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SOME DEVILS HAVE VERY GOOD MANNERS ( AND TASTE, TOO! ): Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil presents himself to Liz Robertson as Dona Ana in the 1998 ESC revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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AND THERE ARE SOME PERFECT DEVILS TO SERVE YOU: Talented ESC actors Joe Rosato and Matt Brown as "Some Perfect Devils" shower attention unto Liz Robertson as Dona Ana ( center ) in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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DUELING AGAIN: ESC actors Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan and Jim Spencer as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) reenact their legendary duel observed by Fannon Holland and Blaine Vedras, Jr. as "Some Perfect Devils" in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of the 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's marvelous comedy of Life After Death "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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THE ESC WELCOMES YOU TO HELL: Show Poster Design of the 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Revival Production of George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" by Jeff Helgeson.

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GOOD NEWS CAN REACH HELL: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil and ESC Member Jim Spencer as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) in the ESC's 1998 revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by J. L. Watt.

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ACKNOWLEDGING THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Members Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan and Liz Robertson as Dona Ana in Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's staging of the 1998 ESC revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by J. L. Watt.

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Logo for G. B. Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL."

Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan, Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil and Liz Robertson as Dona Ana in Don Juan In Hell.

HELL-RAISERS IN THE WINDY CITY: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Member Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan and Excaliber Shakespeare of Chicago Founder and Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Devil in the 1998 ESC revival production of the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in Chicago. Photo and Painting by J. L. Watt.

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THEY RAISED HELL ON BROADWAY: The famed 1951-52 original Broadway cast of "The First Drama Quartette" included: Sir Cedric Hardwicke as The Statue ( aka The Commander ), Charles Boyer as Don Juan, Agnes Moorehead as Dona Ana and Director Charles Laughton as The Devil in the great George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL."

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Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Playbill Cast List Page for its 1998 revival production of George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City.

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Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Technician Matt Hoven works upon Visual Artist J. L. Watt's massive wall mural painting for the 1998 ESC revival of George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Photo by J. L. Watt.

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A quote from Shaw's play.

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A HELL OF A RECORD: The acclaimed audio-recording of the 1951-52 Broadway Production of "DON JUAN IN HELL" starred stage and screen legends Charles Boyer as Don Juan, Charles Laughton as The Devil, Sir Cedric Hardwicke as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) and Agnes Moorehead as Dona Ana. Mr. Laughton directed the evening-attired cast to much critical success and praise. In 1952, Charles Boyer won a Special Tony Award for his performance as Don Juan. Therefore, "The First Drama Quartette" recording of Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" is a must to own and listen to if you are interested in listening to the work being extremely well done.

Jesse Watt Visual Artist of the 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago production of Don Juan In Hell at The Holstein Park Theatre in Chicago .

Talented visual artist J. L. Watt, a member of Excaliber Productions, Ltd. in St. Louis, served as Special Guest Visual Artist for the 1998 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL" at The Holstein Park Theatre in The Windy City. Mr. Watt created the massive wall mural painting for the set of Shaw's "HELL."

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The great Irish playwright and social commentator George Bernard Shaw .

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Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson's Director's Note Page from the ESC's Playbill of its 1998 Revival Production of George Bernard Shaw's "DON JUAN IN HELL."

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In 1998, the non-Equity professional, award-winning, multiracial chamber theatre, THE EXCALIBER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY OF CHICAGO mounted a revival of the great Irish playwright and social critic George Bernard Shaw's marvelous comedy of Life After Death "DON JUAN IN HELL" ( an Act Three Extraction of his acclaimed 1903 five-act dramatic work "MAN AND SUPERMAN" ). The ESC revival was produced and directed by ESC Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, who also appeared as The Devil in a multicultural cast that also featured Samuel E. Ramirez as Don Juan, Jim Spencer as The Statue ( aka The Commander ) and Liz Robertson as Dona Ana. Director / Producer Robinson also featured an group of performers known as "Some Perfect Devils" which included: Matt Brown, Fannon Holland, Joe Rosato and Blaine Vedras, Jr. Jeff Helgeson served as co-producer, co-designer and dramaturg for the production, and J. L. Watt ( ably assisted by Matt Hoven ) created the massive mural wall painting for the revival. The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of The Marvelous Comedy of Life After Death "DON JUAN IN HELL" by George Bernard Shaw was presented March 5th through April 12th of 1998 at THE HOLSTEIN PARK THEATRE, 2200 North Oakley Ave. in The Windy City.

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.

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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INVESTIGATING THE SUSPECTS!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation award-winning actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( in rear row-center ) has a house full of suspects for murder he has to contend with in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival production of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW." Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

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INTERROGATING A MOVIE STAR: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner and Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nominee DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD ( left ) with his assistant Detective Sgt. Penny ( Doug Mattingly, right ) interrogate American film actress Veronica Craye ( Samatha Barrios, center ) in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival production of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

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Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award Winner, WKKC Radio Chicago Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award Winner, 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 appeared as INSPECTOR COLQUHOUN OF SCOTLAND YARD in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival production of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Show Card / Poster Courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

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AN INSPECTOR CALLS DURING A KILLER WEEKEND AT "THE HOLLOW"!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award Winner, WKKC Radio Chicago Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award Winner, 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 ( rear row - third from right ) must deduce among the residents, servants and guests whom the murderer at an English country estate might be in the 2014 Kentwood Players revival of AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "THE HOLLOW" presented at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of The Kentwood Players.

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RETURNING TO A STAGE NEAR YOU IN A DICKENS OF A TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL MYSTERY: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON will assume the marvelous dual roles of MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSIC HALL ROYALE and The Honorable MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in the 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO ( Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th ) revival of the multi-talented Composer / Lyricist / Book Author / Orchestrator RUPERT HOLMES' wonderful Tony Award-winning SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MUSICAL WHODUNIT "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" ( based on the final and unfinished novel by English literary master CHARLES DICKENS ) being presented Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00 pm. and Sundays Afternoons at 2:00 pm. in the lovely and intimate Black Box Theatre of ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, Il. 60614. Image courtesy of www.saintsebastianplayers.org.

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REHEARSING A NEW RENDITION OF A TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL WHODUNIT!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE HONORABLE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA rehearses a scene with skilled and award-winning Saint Sebastian Players Acting Company Member ERIC PRAHL as DURDLES and MR. NICK CRICKER for the new Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 SAINT SEBASTAIN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" ( based on the final and uncompleted novel by CHARLES DICKENS ) directed and music-directed by multi-talented stage veteran ROBERT-ERIC WEST at the lovely 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For tickets and info on Mr. Robinson & Mr. Prahl in SSP's "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" may be obtained at ( 773 ) 404-7922 or www.saintsebastianplayers.org.

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YOUR CHAIRMAN PRESENTS A SUSPECT WITH A KILLER SONG IN HER HEART!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON plays the dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA opposite LAUREN MILLER in her dual roles of THE PRINCESS PUFFER & MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" being presented Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. at the lovely 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. INDUSTRY NIGHT DISCOUNT TICKETS are available to individuals who work in all aspects of The Performing Arts at the rate of $7.00 per person for ALL OPENING WEEKEND SHOWS by presenting credentials at The Theatre Doors or upon making Reservations / Inquiries. Photo by ERYN WALANKA,.

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A GRAND PAIR OF ROLES!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON appears in the marvelous dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT OF THE MUSIC HALL ROYALE & THE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES'"THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at the lovely 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org.

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Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & Cast Go Off To The Races!-1540500185

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TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE MURDERER: Joined by SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD / MISS ALICE NUTTING in the second row-rear DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA introduces audiences to major suspects in the 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival of RUPERT HOLMES' "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" playing Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For tickets and info call ( 773 ) 440-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to working professionals in The Performing Arts throughout the opening weekend shows.

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AN ACTOR FINDS SOME LUCK!: DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA encourages musical theatre vet ADAM HOAK as the under-rated actor and playwright BAZZARD / MR. PHILLIP BAX to perform his unpublished and unheard song "NEVER THE LUCK" in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of RUPERT HOLMES' marvelous musical whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWINM DROOD" being performed Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at THE ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60616. For tickets and info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to working performing artists upon inquiry throughout the opening weekend shows.

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DONT QUIT WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD!: Joined in the front row ( L-R ) by talented musical theatre performers LAUREN MILLER as THE PRINCESS PUFFER / MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK and SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD / MISS ALICE NUTTING, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA, leads the cast in a kick-line reprise of one of multi-talented composer, lyricist, book author RUPERT HOLMES' signature songs in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD." Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For tickets and info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to working professionals who provide credentials and make a reservation/inquiry.

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BACKSTAGE SQUABBLE AT THE MUSICAL HALL ROYALE: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON in his dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA ( center-left ) gazes along with other Members of The Music Hall Royale with some dismay at SARAH MYERS ( center-right ) in her dual roles of EDWIN DROOD & MISS ALICE NUTTING after London's Leading Male Impersonator makes some unkind remarks about The Victorian Acting Company in Act Two of DIRECTOR / MUSUIC DIRECTOR ROBERT-ERIC WEST'S 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival stagging of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" being presented Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 at ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets at the rate of $7.00 per person are available to confirmed performing artists, directors, designers and technicians who provide resumes, headshots, business cards at The Theatre.

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DAMNED IF THERE YOU ARE!: Members of The Victorian Acting Company offer the opening number of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" including Front Row ( L-R ) SEAN MICHEAL BARRETT as JOHN JASPER / CLIVE PAGET, LAUREN MILLER as THE PRINCESS PUFFER / MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK, DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT / MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA, SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD / MISS ALICE NUTTING, PETER KATTNER III as NEVILLE LANDLESS / VICTOR GRINSTEAD and the Second Row RUSS GAGER as THE REVEREND MR. CRISPSPARKLE / MR. CEDRIC MONCREIFFE, ADAM HOAK as BAZZARD / MR. PHILLIP BAX, ERIC S. PRAHL as DURDLES / MR. NICK CRICKER, SHAYLA ROGERS as ROSA BUD / MISS DIERDRE PEREGRINE and ANNA GALLUCCI as HELENA LANDLESS / MISS JANET CONOVER. Performances are Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. at The Black Box Theatre of ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets are available to all working performing artists upon reservation and inquiry.

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MUSICAL COMEDY MYSTERY TONIGHT!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON appears in the dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA opposite ERIC S. PRAHL in his dual roles of DURDLES & MR. NICK CRICKER in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO revival production of RUPERT HOLMES' marvelous Tony Award-winning Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" being presented Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th at the lovely 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. For Tickets and Info call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. Industry Night Discount Tickets at the rate of $7.00 per person available to all individuals working in all areas of The Performing Arts who present credentials and / or make reservations / inquiries for ALL OPENING WEEKEND SHOWS. Photo by ERYN WALANKA.

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THE CHAIRMAN INTRODUCES A SUSPECT DRESSED TO KILL FOR FAMILY.

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Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & Cast Go Off To The Races!-1541266877

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THE SET PROJECTION SCENE DESIGN OF THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO REVIVAL OF THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD BY EMIL ZBELLA.

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YOUR CHAIRMAN WELCOMES YOU TO CHICAGO'S MUSICAL COMEDY MYSTERY REVIVAL OF THE YEAR!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON returned to The Windy City stage this fall as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO REVIVAL PRODUCTION OF RUPERT HOLMES' "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD." Photo by ERYN WALANKA.

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OCT.26, 2018 INVITED DRESS REHEARSAL / PREVIEW REVIEW OF THE SAINTSEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO REVIVAL OF RUPERT HOLMES' TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL WHODUNIT "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" BY GERALD H. BAILEY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF GENESIS THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS.

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Chicago Theater - Best Plays Week of November 7, 2018-1541783765

Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & Mayor Thomas Sapsea ( center-left ) and Sarah Myers as Edwin Drood & Miss Alice Nutting ( standing right ) with Suspects in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

INTRODUCING A DICKENS OF A CAST!: Joined In The Front Row ( L-R ) by LAUREN MILLER as THE PRINCESS PUFFER & MISS ANGELA PRYSHOCK ( to his left ) and SARAH MYERS as EDWIN DROOD & MISS ALICE NUTTING ( to his right ) Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-Winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE MAYOR SAPSEA ( center ) introduces us to the various SUSPECTS and CANDIDATES FOR MURDERER in THE 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" including ( in the rear row L-R ) RUSS GAGER as THE REVEREND MR. CRISPARKLE & MR. CEDRIC MONCRIEFFE, ADAM HOAK as BAZZARD & MR. PHILLIP BAX, ERIC S. PRAHL as DURDLES & MR. NICK CRICKER, SEAN MICHAEL BARRETT as JOHN JASPER & MR. CLIVE PAGET, SHAYLA ROGERS as ROSA BUD & MISS DIERDRE PEREGRINE, ANNA GALLUCCI as HELENA LANDLESS & MISS JANET CONOVER and PETER KATTNER III as NEVILLE LANDLESS & MR. VICTOR GRINSTEAD. 2018 Saint Sebastian Players "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" Publicity Photo by ERYN WALANKA.

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YOUR CHAIRMAN & YOUR MAYOR INVITES AND ENCOURAGES YOU TO VOTE!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder and Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning Actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON stars in the wonderful dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in The Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago 2018 SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF-BY-AUDIENCE VOTE Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Comedy Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" being staged at the lovely, 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. through Nov. 18, 2018. For tickets and reservations call ( 773 ) 404-7922 or visit www.saintsebastianplayers.org. 2018 Photo of DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & Mayor Thomas Sapsea by Set Designer & Decorator EMIL ZBELLA.

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YOUR CHAIRMAN & YOUR MAYOR ENCOURAGES YOU TO VOTE AT CHICAGO'S MUSICAL COMEDY MYSTERY REVIVAL EVENT OF THE YEAR!: Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner and Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Artistic Director & Producer DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON returned to The Windy City Stage this fall with his critically-praised portrayal of the marvelous dual roles of THE CHAIRMAN MR. WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT & THE HONORABLE MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA in the 2018 SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS OF CHICAGO Revival Production of RUPERT HOLMES' wonderful Tony Award-winning, Solve-It-Yourself Best Musical Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" presented at the lovely, 100-year-old-plus ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH, 1625 West Diversey, Chicago, IL. 60614. 2018 Photo of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright & The Mayor Thomas Sapsea in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Production Set Designer & Decorator EMIL ZBELLA.

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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.

Just 4 Fun Nominees

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.

Elate Honor

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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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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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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PLAYING A DICKENS OF A PAIR OF ROLES IN A REVIVAL OF A TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL MYSTERY CLASSIC!: Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder, Los Angeles-based theatre artist and Joseph Jefferson Citation Award-winning actor DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON had a musical theatre performer's field day on the occasion he returned to his hometown of Chicago and appeared for the first time in 17 years ( to wonderful reviews ) and played the marvelous dual roles of The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright of The Music Hall Royale and The Honorable Mayor Thomas Sapsea in skilled director / music director ROBERT-ERIC WEST'S 2018 revival staging of multi-talented composer, lyricist, book author RUPERT HOLMES' Tony Award-winning, CHARLES DICKENS' novel-based Best Musical Mystery Whodunit "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" presented by THE SAINT SEBASTIAN PLAYERS CHICAGO on stage at the lovely, more than a century old ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH in the Lakeview neighborhood of The Windy City. Photo by SSP Production Set Designer and Decorator EMIL ZBELLA.