#Darnell Ishmel

[ear-worthy]

Bass Reeves Mini-Series Podcast: The Man Who Inspired The Lone Ranger

 One of the most persistent and attractive myths concerns The Wild West of post-Civil War America. "Patriots" view it nostalgically as a time and place when "men were real men," frontier justice was meted out fairly to all, and guns were routinely used to settle all disputes. 

Sadly, none of those myths are true. Frontier justice was still hobbled by racism, gunfights were actually a rare occurrence, and most emigrants to the West were families struggling to make ends meet. That's why Parcast's latest mini-series Bass Reeves: No Master But Duty, from the Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries podcast, is such a must-listen. 

It's drama wrapped in a history lesson.

 Bass Reeves: No Master But Duty follows Bass’ evolution from an enslaved man, to his escape becoming a fugitive in America’s most dangerous, lawless territory just before the Civil War. Bass became a warrior, and as a U.S. Deputy Marshal protecting and providing for his family, he faced countless risks and criminals on a daily basis. 

 Bass Reeves was one of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi, who went from beginning his life in bondage to apprehending over 3,000 outlaws in America’s most deadly frontier. All four episodes are now available for Parcast, a Spotify Studio’s,  investigating the life and legacy of the man widely believed to have inspired the Lone Ranger. Throughout the four-part mini-series, available exclusively for free on Spotify, host and arts-activist Darnell Ishmel takes listeners on a journey deep into the Old West, combining historical records, exclusive expert interviews including actor James Pickens Jr. and historian Art T. Burton, and a haunting original score to tell the story of one of the most prolific lawmen in American history. Eventually, Bass himself was put on trial as he stands up for his own innocence. In the final episode, as Oklahoma hurdled toward statehood, Bass faced unprecedented challenges, a firestorm of racial violence, personal tragedies, and a murder case where his commitment to duty is tested like never before involving his own son. Over the four-episode mini-series, Darnell Ishmel acts as our guide and guest host, exploring the exploits of a legendary figure of the Wild West. The man widely believed to have inspired the Lone Ranger… Who was born into slavery and became one of America’s most revered lawmen. 

His name was Bass Reeves.

  Episode Title: Episode 1: Bass in the Wild Episode Description: As an enslaved man, Bass Reeves fights hand-to-hand with his enslaver. Victorious, Bass escapes, becoming a fugitive in America’s most dangerous, lawless territory just before the Civil War. 

 Episode Title: Episode 2: U.S. Marshal Episode Description: Eager to protect his growing family, Bass becomes one of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshals West of the Mississippi. The face of the law in a lawless land, Bass outwits and outshoots countless criminals. 

 Episode Title: Episode 3: Lawman vs. The Law Episode Description: Accused of murdering his cook in cold blood, Bass stands up for his own innocence - breaking himself financially. Not long after he frees himself, the Marshals become embroiled in a bloody war with a legendary Cherokee leader.  

Episode Title: Episode 4: Oklahoma Burning  Episode Description: As a firestorm of racial violence rages through the territory, Bass Reeves learns of his next arrest: his own son. Soon after, statehood and Jim Crow laws force Bass into retirement, while whitewashing covers up his accomplishments as Oklahoma's Lone Ranger. In search of justice, we consider his complex legacy. 

Check out Bass Reeves: No Master But Duty. You may never think of The Wild West the same way again. 

As Bass might say if he lived in modern society, "Do you feel lucky? Well, doing ya, punk."

[roysexton]

"Those of us who have made something of our lives will look at those that haven’t as nothing but clowns." Joker

“Those of us who have made something of our lives will look at those that haven’t as nothing but clowns.” Joker

[Image Source: Wikipedia]

“I’ve proved my point. I’ve demonstrated there’s no difference between me and everyone else! All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy. That’s how far the world is from where I am. Just one bad day.” – Joker in Alan Moore’s and Brian Bolland’s classic 1988 graphic novel The Killing Joke

“Those of us who have made something of our lives will…

[roysexton]

Long day rehearsal for ... #Follies! Theatre Nova! Opens THIS Thursday 11/7. Buy your tix before they’re ALL gone: https://www.artful.ly/theatre-nova/store/events/18594?fbclid=IwAR223pzon5hiipBXKVTv29JAC1tAGpR2WCdWQnBwRyUJSz4sV7TQCMeynwU Sondheim's Broadway smash hit musical concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies" that played in that theatre between the World Wars. A fundraiser for Theatre NOVA and presented in concert, Follies is a glamorous and fascinating peek into a bygone era, and a clear-eyed look at the transformation of relationships over time, with countless songs that have become standards, including "Broadway Baby," " I'm Still Here," "Too Many Mornings," "Could I Leave You?" and "Losing My Mind." Directed by Diane Hill with music direction by Brian E. Buckner. Featuring Sue Booth, Tom Murphy, Diane Hill, Roy Sexton, Annie Kordas, Kryssy Becker, Eddie Rothermel, Connor Thomas Rhoades, Harold Jurkiewicz, Olive Hayden-Moore, Carrie Jay Sayer, Emily Rogers-Driskill, G-jee Martin, Edie Lewis and Darnell Ishmel. @a2theatrenova @diane.hill.5876 @brianebuckner @emilylora @cthomrhoades @suebee5ft2 (at Theatre Nova) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XobIGl1cJ/?igshid=kvxq7pwar40b

[roysexton]

Buddy’s Blues! Thank you, Diane Hill, for this photo and for your beautiful leadership of our little troupe. #Follies at Theatre NOVA! Opens 11/7 - tickets: https://lnkd.in/eDs3kCf - 11/10 show already sold out. Sondheim’s Broadway smash-hit musical concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre of the past performers of the “Weismann’s Follies” that played in that theatre between the World Wars. Presented in concert, Follies is a glamorous and fascinating peek into a bygone era, and a clear-eyed look at the transformation of relationships over time, with countless songs that have become standards, including “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” “Too Many Mornings”, “Could I Leave You?” and “Losing My Mind.” Directed by Diane Hill, with music direction by Brian E. Buckner, “Follies in Concert” features Sue Booth, Thomas Murphy, Diane Hill, Roy Sexton, Annie Kordas, Kryssy Becker, Eddie Rothermel, Connor Rhoades, Harold Jurkiewicz, Olive Hayden-Moore, Carrie Jay Sayer, Emily Rogers-Driskill, G-jee Martin, Edie Lewis, and Darnell Ishmel. @a2theatrenova (at Theatre Nova) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SU0xSls6t/?igshid=wb2kxhtwc9n5

[roysexton]

We’re workin’ it! #Follies at Theatre Nova! Opens 11/7 - tickets: https://www.artful.ly/theatre-nova/store/events/18594?fbclid=IwAR223pzon5hiipBXKVTv29JAC1tAGpR2WCdWQnBwRyUJSz4sV7TQCMeynwU - 11/10 show already sold out. Sondheim’s Broadway smash-hit musical concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre of the past performers of the “Weismann’s Follies” that played in that theatre between the World Wars. Presented in concert, Follies is a glamorous and fascinating peek into a bygone era, and a clear-eyed look at the transformation of relationships over time, with countless songs that have become standards, including “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” “Too Many Mornings”, “Could I Leave You?” and “Losing My Mind.” Directed by Diane Hill, with music direction by Brian E. Buckner, “Follies in Concert” features Sue Booth, Thomas Murphy, Diane Hill, Roy Sexton, Annie Kordas, Kryssy Becker, Eddie Rothermel, Connor Rhoades, Harold Jurkiewicz, Olive Hayden-Moore, Carrie Jay Sayer, Emily Rogers-Driskill, G-jee Martin, Edith Lewis, and Darnell Ishmel. @a2theatrenova @suebee5ft2 @cthomrhoades (at Theatre Nova) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Q5uK5lVoz/?igshid=1daq8pk4czb8p

[roysexton]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/detroit/article/Theatre-NOVA-Presents-Stephen-Sondheims-FOLLIES-In-Concert-20191008

Thanks, BroadwayWorld! Theatre Nova, Ann Arbor's professional theatre with an exclusive focus on new plays and playwrights, presents a limited engagement of "Follies in Concert" by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman.

Sondheim's Broadway smash-hit musical concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies" that played in that theatre between the World Wars. Presented in concert, Follies is a glamorous and fascinating peek into a bygone era, and a clear-eyed look at the transformation of relationships over time, with countless songs that have become standards, including "Broadway Baby," "I'm Still Here," "Too Many Mornings", "Could I Leave You?" and "Losing My Mind."

Directed by Diane Hill, with Music Direction by Brian E. Buckner, "Follies in Concert" features Sue Booth, Thomas Murphy, Diane Hill, Roy Sexton, Annie Kordas, Kryssy Becker, Eddie Rothermel, Connor Thomas Rhoades, Harold Jurkiewicz, Olive Hayden-Moore, Carrie Jay Sayer, Emily Rogers-Driskill, G-jee Martin, Edie Lewis and Darnell Ishmel. The production and design team includes Monica Spencer (scenic design), Jeff Alder (lighting design), and Briana O'Neal (stage manager).

"Follies in Concert" will run for two weeks only, Nov. 7 through Nov. 17, 2019, at Theatre NOVA (410 W. Huron, Ann Arbor), a downtown performance space. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. Theatre NOVA features free parking for patrons, as well as quick access to the city's restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops.

Tickets are $30 for this limited engagement fundraiser for Theatre NOVA. For tickets, visit TheatreNOVA.org, call 734-635-8450 or buy them in person at the box office one hour before showtime.

Theatre NOVA is Ann Arbor's resident professional theatre company. Its mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/detroit/article/Theatre-NOVA-Presents-Stephen-Sondheims-FOLLIES-In-Concert-20191008

[roysexton]

And it begins. First read-through of @a2theatrenova’s #Follies in Concert. Opens November 7. Tickets: https://www.artful.ly/theatre-nova/store/events/18594?fbclid=IwAR223pzon5hiipBXKVTv29JAC1tAGpR2WCdWQnBwRyUJSz4sV7TQCMeynwU. #Sondheim's Broadway smash hit musical concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies" that played in that theatre between the World Wars. A fundraiser for Theatre NOVA and presented in concert, Follies is a glamorous and fascinating peek into a bygone era, and a clear-eyed look at the transformation of relationships over time, with countless songs that have become standards, including "Broadway Baby," " I'm Still Here," "Too Many Mornings," "Could I Leave You?" and "Losing My Mind." Directed by Diane Hill with music direction by Brian E. Buckner. Featuring Sue Booth, Tom Murphy, Diane Hill, Roy Sexton, Annie Kordas, Kryssy Becker, Eddie Rothermel, Connor Rhoades, Harold Jurkiewicz, Olive Hayden-Moore, Carrie Jaye Sayer, Emily Rogers-Driskill, Gayle Martin, Edith Lewis and Darnell Ishmel. (at Theatre Nova) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IdV3BF3Fp/?igshid=1dygv5m2su3j5