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ESC's Darryl Maximilian Robinson Recalls The 1997 Joseph Jefferson Citation Awards Ceremony at The Park West
The Founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago waxes nostalgic on his 1997 Jeff Citation Award for Outstanding Actor In A Play
ESC'S DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON PRESENTS ON ITS 29TH ANNIVERSARY, A JUNE 9, 1997 CHICAGO JOSEPH JEFFERSON CITATION AWARD HONOR FLASHBACK!:
In January of 1997, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago Founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( with the great assistance of ESC Co-Producer, Co-Designer and Dramaturg Jeffrey Wayne Helgeson ) produced, directed, designed and starred as Sam Semela ( opposite talented fellow actors Kevin Heckman as Hally and Gregory Christopher Armstrong as Willie ) in the ESC revival production of acclaimed South African playwright Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama "Master Harold And The Boys" at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
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In May of 1997, The ESC's acclaimed revival of Fugard's work was nominated for multiple honors from The Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Committee and would ultimately go on to receive a significant Chicago theatre award.
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"One never thought a that a production of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold...And The Boys" could exceed the production in which James Earl Jones starred as Sam Semela until the Excaliber Shakespeare Company came along with Darryl Maximilian Robinson in the role. Currently appearing at the Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre, 7000 North Glenwood, through March 16th on Wednesdays and Sundays, the production is compelling for its infallible dramatic urgency and superb sense of style. Other cast members include Kevin Adair as Hally and Eliyahu Miller as Willie. Robinson is producer and director." -- Earl Calloway, The Chicago Defender, Theatre Wing, March 5, 1997.
"Directed by founder Darryl Maximilian Robinson, who plays Sam, the play soars with a vibrancy that is engulfing. His joyousness is infectious. His reflections, insightful. His teachings ( either dance steps or concerned lessons of learning ) makes one feel his commitment, his dedication, his desire to make the world a little better for having lived in it. A highly notable presentation, he makes this play a memorable evening of theatre one does not easily forget." -- Al Boswell, The Gary Info, Feb. 27, 1997.
"Darryl Maximilian Robinson, whose ardent love of acting invigorates every action of the mature, wizened Sam, tolerates no submission. The boy's friend and mentor, he is slammed with the double-indignity of experiencing the fury of racism from an adolescent he has guided, protected and educated." -- Mike Spitz, Nightlines Theatre, Feb. 26, 1997.
"Director Darryl Maximilian Robinson obviously displays a deep love for and belief in Fugard's intimate drama. Crisply paced, with a solid understanding of the playwright's serious playfulness, this production does quiet yet moving justice to the intensely unfolding material. Gregory Chistopher Armstrong's Willie maintains a smooth, unaffected realness through sincere body language and softly-tempered delivery. And Kevin Heckman's painfully torn Hally, who ocillates between hope and despair, delivers an honestly complex performance that enables us to sympathize with the frailties and confused loyalties of all parties locked in apartheid's crushing grip". -- Lucia Mauro, The New City, Recommended, Jan 30,-Feb. 2, 1997.
29 years ago this week, on June 9, 1997, Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( Founder, Artistic Director and Producer of both the multiracial Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and currently The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project, who played Sam Semela in this critically-praised Fugard revival which was nominated for a 1997 Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Production of the Year ) after being joined on stage by talented Kevin Heckman as Hally and skilled Gregory Christopher Armstrong as Willie to present a very well received scene from the work, won a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Actor in a Principal Role in a Play for his performance as Sam Semela in the ESC revival of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold and the Boys" bestowed upon him at The Park West Theatre in The Lincoln Park neighborhood of The Windy City.
For the entire cast and production team of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold And The Boys," the June 9, 1997 Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Ceremony experience was a wonderful evening and a very cherished memory.
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Darryl Maximilian Robinson was also later that same year nominated for a 1997 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award for Best Leading Actor In A Play for his performance as Sam Semela in the Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production which was presented at The Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre in the Rogers Park neighborhood of The Windy City. In addition, Darryl Maximilian Robinson shared a 1997 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nomination with his Co-Producer and Co-Designer Jeffrey Wayne Helgeson for Best Sound Design. And though the ESC Fugard revival of "Master Harold And The Boys" lost in both its nominated categories at the September 1997 Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Awards Ceremony held in the fine and lively confines of The Harold Washington Theatre Wing of Chicago's famed Du Sable Museum of African-American History, both Mr. Robinson and Mr. Helgeson were delighted and honored to be in attendance for this festive celebration of African-Americans honored for their work in Chicago Theatre and The Performing Arts as well.
Darryl Maximilian Robinson has been truly blessed to receive critical praise and several award honors during his five decades of work in theater and is currently pursuing a career in film and television.
