‘Hattie…What I Need You to Know!’ Star Vickilyn Reynolds Performs ‘Hattie & Me’ One Night Only at the Triad Theater
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, August 3, 2009 – Vickilyn Reynolds, playwright, composer, lyricist and star of the acclaimed musical “Hattie…What I Need You To Know!� based on the life of Academy-Award winning actress Hattie McDaniel of “Gone With the Wind� fame, presents “Hattie & Me� one night only on Saturday, August 22 at the Triad Theater in New York. Tyrone Patrick will accompany Reynolds on piano.
Reynolds will perform a selection of songs and present the making of the music from “Hattie…What I Need You To Know!� that was originally written, developed and massaged out of a vision to recreate the often-overlooked McDaniel.
“Hattie…What I Need You To Know!â€? which played sold-out performances last year at the National Black Theater, takes the audience on a dramatic musical journey through Hattie’s life from her early childhood and her relationship with her family to her difficult decision to leave her family and move to Los Angeles to pursue her artistic dreams during a time filled with racism and segregation.
For her performance in “Hattie…What I Need You To Know!� Reynolds was honored with the Audoco Award for Outstanding Female Performance in a Musical. Theatermania praised Reynolds as a “vocal powerhouse.� The New York Times said Reynolds “makes McDaniel such a likable presence that it’s a pleasure to spend some time in her company.�
Blessed with robust vocals, Reynolds has traveled the world performing solos for dignitaries and royalty upon their request. She has also studied with Marlon Brando for an intensive documentary “Lying for a Living.� Reynolds won the LA Ovation Award as “da Singer� on the first national tour of “Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk.� She also garnered nominations from the NAACP Image Award and the Drama Desk Awards; was a recipient of the 1998 Best Performance (Chicago), Black Theatre Alliances Award and won the 2005 Telly Award for Acting and Associate Producer.
Reynolds has also starred in numerous feature films, television shows and commercials, most notable: In the CBS sitcom, “Sugar & Spice�; played Chris Tucker’s mom (Joanne) in Ice Cube’s hit film “Friday�; played a role in “The Colored Museum� by George C Wolfe; and appeared in the motion film, “Primary Colors.�
Music from “Hattie…What I Need You To Know!� is also available for sale on CD with such songs as “Hollywood� and “Deez, Dat, Dis, Dem, and Dey� that Reynolds wrote with Kenny Long and Mableline Collins.
Patrick brings to “Hattie & Me” over 40 years of experience in piano accompaniment for and recordings with many major artists including Andre Crouch, Dannibelle Hall, Jessie Dixon, Sweet Spirit, Keith Pringle, Kurk Whalum and Duke Ellington’s last Jazz Mass. He has been associated with many prominent church ministries and is also the founder of Tyrone Patrick and Co. Mass Choir of Toledo, Ohio.
Reynolds will perform “Hattie & Me� twice on August 22 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm at the Triad Theater, located at 158 W. 72nd Street. Admission is $20 plus a two-drink minimum, cash only. For reservations, call 212-362-2590 and visit www.triadnyc.com. For more information on Reynolds and “Hattie…What I Need You To Know!� visit www.vickilyn.com and www.HattieWhatINeedYouToKnow.com.
