Hattie McDaniel was the first African American women to be nominated for an Oscar. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Gone With the Wind in 1940. In the cocktail lounge at the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood, California, she is deciding whether or not to attend the award show. They won’t let her sit with her cast and have set up a table in the very back for her. The bartender is trying his best to get her to attend. He dreams of directing the movie he wrote. The maid wishes to be a professional singer, but has become skeptical that this is even possible.
A highlight of the play are a few songs by the cast. They sing acapella and with the piano. The original songs are “Moonlight” and “Cali Girl”. The lyrics are written by the playwright, LaDarrion Williams, and the music is by Malkia Stampley.
Gabrielle Lott-Rogers is graceful and charming as Hattie McDaniel, offering to help out the others with their dreams while being hesitant to attend the award show. Charles Andrew Gardner is excellent as the bartender displaying great hope and ambition. Mildred Marie Langford is great as the maid, showing cynicism for all dreams.
Cost of a ticket: $47
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It –
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother
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Quinn Delaney
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