Knock Me A Kiss featuring Keir Thirus

Jimmy knocking a kiss.
Photo courtesy of Tomoko Matsushita

“Keir Thirus, as the always-ready-for-a-party Jimmie Lunceford, nearly steals the show with his easy cadence, good looks, charm, clever repartee and resolute intention.”

A quote from a review by Darlene C. Donloe for Donloe’s Lowdown.  

James Melvin "Jimmie" Lunceford was a man who made an indelible imprint in the Harlem Renaissance.  He was a bandleader, entertainer, and a talented musician who played many instruments, but most known for his skills as an alto saxophonist.

I spoke with Keir Thirus who plays a Jimmie in Knock Me A Kiss, to get his impressions about Jimmie.

Jimmie Lunceford.

Question: I am always fascinated when an actor lands a role of as a historical figure in history.  Did you know about Jimmy Lunceford before accepting the role?  What are one of the things you found interesting about Lunceford, his life, or his work?

Keir: No, I didn't know anything about Jimmy Lunceford before Dwain (the director of Knock Me A Kiss) presented me with the part. Upon researching him, what I found most interesting was that he seemed to be an all around entertainer, not just a musician. He learned to play multiple instruments when he was young, graduated from Fisk University, and became a big band leader with his own distinct style.  Jimmy was incredibly serious about the music, but also liked to have fun and add comedy to his performances.  He brought in a lot of vaudeville aspects. I could see why, at he peak, he was in such demand.  I'm sure if you were out clubbing and dancing back then, Jimmy's show was not to be missed.  So I try to lace that humorous, party loving entertainer aspect of his personality into my performance where it fits.

Keir Thirus as Jimmie Lunceford.
Photo courtesy of Tomoko Matsushita

Question:  Do you play an instrument, or are you musically inclined?

Keir: I played the trombone in grade school and high school.  I also played bass trombone in the high school jazz band.

Question:  Yolande Du Bois has some very interesting notions regarding romance.  I'm having some fun with a game of word

Yolande and Jimmy.
Photo courtesy of Tomoko Matsushita

association with some of the other cast members. So here it goes Keir, I say "Romance" and you give me the first word that pops into your head.  Ready?

Romance... 

Keir: Brings the word, INTIMACY, to mind.      

Question: Now, how would Jimmy Lunceford respond to the word association?  Ok, Ready Jimmy?

Romance...

Jimmy:  DANCING UNDER THE COVERS.

Keir Thirus as Jimmie Lunceford.
Photo courtesy of Tomoko Matsushita

What happens when you mix ambition, 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 the true event when the daughter of W.E.B. Du Bois, Yolande, marries 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.”

Jimmy played by Keir Thirus
with Ashlee Olivia as Lenora and Toyin Moses as Yolande.Photo courtesy of Tomoko Matsushita

Knock Me A Kiss will be performed 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:

http://www.thelatc.org

Or call: 886-811-4111