NYC Film Festival Kicks Off Black History Month

NEW YORK - The National Black Touring Circuit, Woodie King, Jr. Producer/Director and Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group announced today they would be presenting "When the Chickens Came Home to Roost at the Dwyer Cultural Center as the first play of the Black History Month Play Festival.

When the Chickens Came Home to Roost, written by Laurence Holder and directed by Allie Woods, is an open dialogue between the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammed and his protégée, Malcolm X, The play explores the growing tension between Malcolm X and Dr. Muhammed as they face public scandal and political controversy within the Nation itself. This provocative discussion between these two high profile leaders invites the audience to challenge their own thoughts behind the internal crisis of one of America's most prolific Islamic organizations, raising the question: Is it possible for the struggle for liberation and equality to take root and thrive under the authoritarian rule of one man alone?

The production stars Ted Lange as Elijah Muhammad and Marcus Naylor as Malcolm X. The original 1981 Broadway production starred Denzel Washington as Malcolm X and Kirk Kirksey as Elijah Muhammad, and was directed by Allie Woods.

The play opens Friday February 4, 2011 at 8PM and runs Through Sunday February 6, 2011 at the Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Avenue, entrance on 123rd Street between Frederick Douglass and St. Nicholas.

The Black History Month Play Festival runs February 4th through February 27th with later productions taking place at the Castillo Theater and the National Black Theater.

The production is presented in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City, New York City Council, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Council Member Inez E. Dickens, the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations, Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair, The New York State Council on the Arts and the Arlen Charitable Trust. Member Harlem Arts Alliance and the Coalition of Theatres of Color