The Charles Reese Experience and Glover Lane Press Publish “James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire”

Jan. 21, 2012 - PRLog -- MEDIA CONTACT:
Teeth & Eyes Communications Inc
teethandeyes63@yahoo.com
213.245.6658

PRODUCTION OFFICE CONTACT:
Charles Reese, Founder/The Charles Reese Experience
charlesreese63@gmail.com

(Los Angeles, CA, January 20, 2011) – This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the passing of American writer and civil rights activist, James Baldwin. To commemorate his legacy, The Charles Reese Experience is proud to announce the book publishing of the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play, James Baldwin: A Soul of Fire.

The short stage play, written by late playwright and Emmy Award Nominee, Howard B. Simon (1962-2000) was published by Azaan Kamau and Glover Lane Press, who partnered with Charles Reese to edit and guide the project. Reese is an original cast member of the play and also serves as Executive Curator of the Howard B. Simon Literary Canon. He offers, “The publishing of this book version of the play that focuses on a lesser known historical moment in Baldwin’s life will ultimately serve as a powerful tool in re-igniting James Baldwin’s fiery spirit into the 21st century. Additionally, the book project will also re-visit the literary legacy of my Morehouse College classmate, the late playwright, Howard B. Simon who gave me this Baldwin play as a birthday gift.”

Also included in the book is a special foreword by David Leeming (Baldwin’s Biographer and former Secretary), coupled with an afterword by original actor and Tony Award Nominee, Forrest McClendon (Scottsboro Boys). Reese’s own heartfelt encounter with Baldwin can also be found inside the book, written during his recent visit to France where Baldwin spent his last days. Kamau also designed the cover to showcase Baldwin’s lineage to the Civil Rights movement, it consists of 2000 tiny images of pinnacle moments during that era, circa 1963.

To promote the book, Reese has developed the “Salon Conversation Series: Tribute to James Baldwin…25 Years Later (SCS)”, an engaging and entertaining program designed for educational institutions to get up close and personal with Reese, David Leeming and Forrest McClendon. Social/Civic groups and cultural organizations are also encouraged to experience this special art and culture program.

The first book signing will take place on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at a private Hollywood Hills estate and copies are already available on Amazon.Com. “Our goal is to sell 25,000 books in 2012 across the globe -- one city, one state, and one country at a time in honor of James Baldwin…25 years later”, says Reese.

To request an invitation to the exclusive kick-off event or to learn how you can bring “The Salon Conversation Series to your city, please email inquiries to charlesreese63@gmail.com. You can also visit http://www.facebook.com/thecharlesreeseexp
and http://www.JamesBaldwinASoulOnFire.com to stay connected to all things Baldwin.

ABOUT JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE:  A two character play which re-imagines what happens when writer/activist James Baldwin invites Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte, and Lena Horne to a round table discussion on race relations with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy on May 24, 1963 in New York City, three months before the historic March on Washington. This uniquely structured play explores Baldwin’s innermost passions. David DeWitt of the New York Times declared, “The best sort of theatrical biography: the sort that thoroughly entertains. With humor, style and raw emotion, ‘A Soul on Fire,’ embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm.”

THE CHARLES REESE EXPERIENCE: Is an inter-generational explosion of art, culture, history and entertainment as seen through the eyes of actor, visionary and cultural architect for public engagement, Charles Reese. Our mission is to preserve and nurture the historical legacy of lesser known and forgotten literary treasures of the African/ African-American Diaspora and people of color around the globe. Utilizing existing and emerging media, our purpose is to develop, produce, and promote special programs and events to ignite the spirit to resurrect a "New Global Cultural Arts Renaissance.” Our main goal is to simply tell our stories and share our common experiences with dignity, insight, humor, tragedy and the triumph of the ancestors whose spirits have never been broken. Call the production office at (213) 245-6658 for more details.

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