How to go
What: “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show”
Where: Loft Theatre of the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Cost: $23
Tickets: Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or go online to www.ticketcenterstage.com.
More info: Go online to www.tripplecroxxent.org.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who rose to fame for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Theo Huxtable on the iconic TV comedy “The Cosby Show,” headlines the eighth season opener of “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show” on Friday in Dayton.
The show will be at the Loft Theatre courtesy of Oral Funk Poetry Productions and the Human Race Theatre Company.
“I’m not a celebrity who likes to do poetry. I am a poet,” said Warner, 44, who was significantly inspired by poet Gil Scott-Heron. “I was involved in spoken word before it became the cool thing to do, and it’s something I take very seriously. It is a big part of my creative expression. When you’re an actor or director you’re still interpreting someone else’s work. But when you’re a spoken-word poet you’re expressing what’s specifically on your heart. A lot of the messages in my poetry concern self-love, self-accountability and relationships.”
The Los Angeles-based Warner’s extensive career pinpoints his versatility. In addition to directing six episodes of “The Cosby Show” as well as episodes of “Reed Between the Lines,” “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Keenan & Kel,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Sesame Street,” he has appeared on such shows as “Sons of Anarchy,” “Major Crimes,” “American Horror Story,” and “Dexter,” and in numerous regional theater productions. He is also a bass player and has independently distributed several CDs. He will particularly return to TV this year, co-starring opposite Rob Riggle on Fox’s comedy pilot “48 Hours ‘Til Monday.”
His longtime admiration for poetry specifically dates back to his childhood and grew deeper when he was part of the resurgence of the underground poetry movement in L.A. in the early 1990s.
“We are giving Dayton a unique opportunity to see someone they’ve watched grow up, and grown up with, which will certainly bring a nostalgic energy to the performance,” said Sierra Leone of Oral Funk Poetry Productions. “After the ‘The Cosby Show’ Malcolm-Jamal could have rested on his laurels. But he has proven there is so much life after ‘The Cosby Show.’ ”
The event also spotlights Columbus-based poets Anita “Amala” Jones (formerly known as Pure) and Tye as well as Dayton native A. Slate.
Jones, a spoken-word artist for more than 15 years and founder of Inner Seeds of Pure, has performed throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom. Tye, a New Jersey native, is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter with a background in acting. A. Slate, a writer, poet and spoken-word artist, has appeared in previous Signature productions, particularly last season’s well-received “Last Poet Standing.”
The Back Talk Blues Band will provide musical entertainment.
Beyond his endearing legacy of having been part of a beloved cultural cornerstone, Warner said he wants audiences to know his artistic path continually evolves. His recent Grammy Award win for collaborating on keyboardist Robert Glasper’s version of Stevie Wonder’s 1970s song “Jesus Children of America” with Lalah Hathaway is just one indication of how he has overcome the child-actor stigma.
“I never wanted to be one of those ‘where are they now?’ kids,” Warner said.
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