Sunday, June 12, 2016

Lynn Thigpen and Bobo Lewis Foundation Still Remembered

Bobo Lewis is the incredible Miss Chomsky in Find the Monkees (#19).  Her character was not played as written, but BETTER.  Lewis is one of those legendary actresses who is quietly and persistently talented. We are lucky to have her performances on the Monkees, Bewitched and even Shining Time Station.

She worked on a Broadway version of Studs Terkel's Working, which is where she met up with Lynne Thigpen, an incredible Tony winning African American actress whose face is very familiar to anyone who has been paying attention.  (She passed away suddenly)

Lynne Thigpen had Bobo Lewis as her mentor, and they put the idea into the world as an ongoing mentorship program (which happens anyway, informally or not).  It was one of those great NYC Theater stories that now exists as a ghost on the internet.  It was announced in 2005, and hasn't quite survived.

I did some research and found a number for the Foundation.  And called.

I had a lovely conversation with Lynne's husband and was happy to be able to conjure up these lovely women for a few moments.

Meanwhile, later that night, Carole King handed a Tony Award to Lin Manuel Miranda for HAMILTON and he read the following poem for LOVE and against the horrible events of Orlando this morning, and death in general.

My wife's the reason anything gets done. 
She nudges me towards promise by degrees. 
She is a perfect symphony of one, our son is her most beautiful reprise. 
We chase the melodies that seem to find us  
until they're finished songs and start to play. 
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us 
that nothing here is promised, not one day. 
This show is proof that history remembers. 
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger. 
We rise and fall and light from dying embers. 
Remembrances that hope and love live longer. 
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside. 
As sacred as a symphony, Eliza tells her story and fills the world with music love and pride.
From:
http://www.elle.com/culture/news/a37026/lin-manuel-miranda-sonnet-speech-tony-awards-2016/


 






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