Knock Me A Kiss 

Opens this Weekend on April 5th

(Previews on Thursday, April 3rd and Friday, April 4th)

What happens when you mix vision, romance, and betrayal with Harlem Renaissance aristocracy?  Why, the marriage of the century of course!  Knock Me A Kiss written by Charles Smith is a tale that explores the ideas surrounding romance, marriage, intimacy, and legacy in 1928 Harlem.  It is a fictional account of a true event, the marriage of the daughter of W.E.B. Du Bois, Yolande, to the poet Countee Cullen.  
W.E.B Du Bois called the nuptials, “The symbolic march of young and black America…a new thing rejoicing in a ceremony as old as the world.”

Recently, the director of the Robey Theatre Company’s production of Knock Me A Kiss, Dwain A. Perry, was asked a question or two regarding the production:  

Yolande and Lenora

Question:  It was my understanding that you first came to see this play Knock Me A Kiss at the 2011 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC and fell in love, is that true?  What struck you about the piece that made you feel you wanted the Robey to produce it?

Dwain:  Yes, the first time I saw Knock Me A Kiss, I believe it was the National Black Theatre Festival.  As for why I wanted to do the show?  Well I knew of the show because I am friends with the director of the original production, Chuck Smith. (Not the playwright, Charles Smith)  However, I had never seen it.  My oldest brother, Dennis James Perry, was a high school music teacher and he also directed the musicals.  He would always say that you should make sure you can cast a show before you pick it.  When I saw Knock Me A Kiss I knew the perfect person for the role of Yolande Du Bois, Toyin Moses!  And the show fit the mold of the types of shows that the Robey Theatre Company produces.  I suggested the play to Ben Guillory, he saw the show and he agreed that it was a match for Robey.

Top: Jimmy Lunceford played by Keir Thirus
Bottom left to right: Lenora played by Ashlee Olivia; Yolande Du Bois played by Toyin Moses.
Picture by Tomoko at T.Photograhy.

Question:  Here's a fun one.  In the play, Yolande Du Bois has some very specific notions about romance, what do you consider romantic?  I'll make it easier for you Dwain, word

Knock Me A Kiss
Ashlee Olivia and Toyin Moses.
Picture by Tomoko at T.Photography

association here.  I say "Romance" and you tell me the first thing that comes to your mind, ready? 
Romance...  

Dwain: Love. 
Romance and love are both things that require action.  It is about what you are willing to do for someone that you care about.  Are you willing to place their needs above your own?  Romance can be bringing someone some soup when they are sick.  Romance can be waking up in the middle of the night to pick them up from the airport after their plane was delayed for several hours.  Romance is being there to listen without judgement.  Romance isn't just flowers, candy, and sweet words. Romance is sharing your spirit with another completely and unconditionally.

Knock Me A Kiss runs April 5th- May 4th 

At:

The Los Angeles Theatre Center

514 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90013

General Admission - $30
*Student - $20  *Senior (60+) - $20  *Veteran - $20  *LAUSD Teacher - $20
Thursdays - $10 (Limited Number Available; No Show April 10)
*with ID

Tickets:
log onto: http://www.thelatc.org 
Or, call: 886-811-4111

Content contributor and writer: Kellie Dantzler