SAYCON in Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE

Come see Saycon Sengbloh in Hurt Village! I'm so excited to tell everyone about the new daring and extraordinary piece by Katori Hall. I'm thrilled to be a part of this show at the New Signature theatre. The language and characters in Hurt Village  are something that has not been seen on the American theatrical landscape in a very long time perhaps since Melvin Van Peeple's Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, or Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Hurt Village is not a musical though the musical influence of hip-hop pulses through the veins of this ghetto story set in Memphis, Tennessee. I'm playing the role of Toyia a girl who works at the local "shake junt" and is fiercely protective of her man, her body, and her baby. With costumes by Clint Ramos I'm having a ball wearing clothes from all of hip-hop's fashion moguls (Sean John, Fetish, an House of Dereon). And sharing a stage with New York's hottest up and coming talents, like Lloyd Watts, Charlie Hudson III,  Marsha Stephanie Blake, Nicholas Christopher, Corey Hawkins, Ron Cephas Jones, Joaquina Kalukango , and Tony award winner Tonya Pinkins directed by Patricia McGregor! Come out and witness this new work!

Check out some of the reviews below:

"Five Stars! Exceptional! This is theatre that throbs with life, and quickens the pulse and mind!"

Adam Feldman, Time Out New York

"A rousing, latter-day response to A Raisin in the Sun! Vividly acted! [The actors] inhabit David Gallo’s evocative urban-jungle jumble of a set (and Clint Ramos’s sociologically exact costumes) with fervent and affecting conviction. And they make sure we feel the emotional double edge with which their characters regard one another."

Ben Brantley, New York Times

"An original theatre voice!"

Linda Winer, Newsday

"A terrifically exciting work by a playwright with something to say!"

Marilyn Stasio, Variety

"Thoroughly sensational! Obligatory viewing! Under direction by Patricia McGregor as fierce as Katori Hall's writing, the cast makes a strong bid for a best-ensemble prize!"

David Finkle, Theatermania.com

"Makes you stand up and pay attention!"

Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post

Photos by Joan Marcus

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VIDEO FROM FIRST REHEARSAL

Hurt Village: First Rehearsal from Signature Theatre Company on Vimeo.

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Backstage

JOOKIN'

Hurt Village: Jookin' in Rehearsal from Signature Theatre Company on Vimeo.

FIRST REHEARSAL PHOTOS

Photos by Erik Carter Photography.

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March 2012

My LA Trip: Fela tour!

I had a ball in Los Angeles joining the wonderful touring cast of Fela reprising my role as Sandra Iszadore. Who knew I'd be bringing in the 2012 New Year right there in LA. Hopefully more of sunny LA will be in my future! It was a jam packed 2 weeks. One week of rehearsals and one week of performances, interviews, meetings, and kicking it in between! One of the interviews I did was for YoungHollywood.com the interview featured, Nandi Bhebhe, Jill Vallery, and myself talking and dancing with the host, Lesley Robbins.
http://www.younghollywood.com/videos/lifestyle/lifestyle-events/dancing-with-the-cast-of-fela.html

 I'm not sure how we found the time to squeeze this in after rehearsal and before the show that night, but we made it work LOL. It was amazing and a blessing to return to the show if only for a week! I will be sure to let you all know if I roll through the "shrine" on the tour again. The Ahmanson theater was huge and the sound was great, I was digging LA! While in LA I had so many great friends and family come through including Stu James, Lesly Donald, Marcus Mitchell, Shaun Earl, Lisa Thomas, Adisa Anderson, and the lovely Sakara Anderson, along with their sons, girlfriends, and family as well! Not to mention the talented Scott Nevins and friend, who seemed to have had a ball. I also met soul singer Ndambi who attended with her manager Monica Young. Sandra Izsadore also came with all sorts of celebrities. Check out the younghollywood interview by clicking the link below or click to download my track #2 Sorrow, Tears, and Blood recording:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-warrior-ep/id476799155

http://www.younghollywood.com/videos/lifestyle/lifestyle-events/dancing-with-the-cast-of-fela.html

Saycon and Nneka in New York City

Nneka in New York! the Nigerian & German songbird is here in the U.S. to promote her new album. I saw her across the room in a Whole foods store while have a tea with my friend Maia (aka Soulluvlai)  often at a loss for words I couldn't remember her name for the life of me but of course who can forget that face! A classic beauty without a shred of makeup. Boldly, and nosily, I approached her to ask if she was a Nigerian singer she said yes though I'm pretty sure she and her friend thought I was full of sh*t, LOL anyway we began to chat. I told her about my visit to Nigeria last spring.  Nneka said she was in town to promote her new album and I was happy to tell her we shared a publicist when we were in Nigeria, Miss Bobby Taylor who did some amazing work during our time there. Nneka was kind and I was random, anyway, well done Nneka let's do a duet one day :-) let's unite for Liberia and Nigeria ya digg?. Check out this video of Nneka making of her new album.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pVKyP56PXLY

PS.-Shoutout to my Nigerian brothers and sisters struggling to pay for gasoline with oil prices surging. peace,
Saycon

See Saycon Sengbloh in Fela LA for 1 week only!

Hey I'm rocking the Fela hoodie to keep warm lol and next month for good reason! For folks in LA who heard the Fela soundtrack and want to see me on the tour here's a treat. Come check me out guys! I'll be in Fela in LA for 1 week only then heading back to New York to begin Hurt Village rehearsal! Hope to see you in LA at the Ahmanson Theater Click here for ticket info!

Click Here to download Sorrow, Tears, & Blood by Saycon!

See Saycon in Fela! LA January 1st-9th 2012!
The Ahmanson Theater
135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Saycon In-Store Event @ Hue-man Bookstore in Harlem

Hi folks,

Continuing the holiday fever! and Christmas spirit! I'll be doing my first "Warrior"in-store event at Hueman bookstore! This will include musical performance, CD, Poster/Calendar signing with purchase and a great Question & Answer! A chance to ask all the things you ever wanted to know about, music, and theater. Families are welcome! We're excited to announce with a single purchase of a Saycon CD or Poster you will be entered to win 2 free tickets to see Katori Hall's newest play HURT VILLAGE! Katori's current play MOUTAINTOP is currently starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett on Broadway!  I can't wait to see you there!


http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-Invited-to-Hue-Man-Holidays-Celebration-w-Broadway-Actress-Saycon-Sengbloh.html?soid=1101658999278&aid=lBGd8RpKJTw
http://cafepress.com/saycon

Irie Girl: Saycon Sengbloh & Katori Hall's Newest Play

This week has been a ton of fun with alot of hard work. I am missing my family dearly during this holiday season so I'm sending love to Georgia and New Jersey!Thanks to Marty Gould Cummings and Anthony Hollock I had so much fun raising money for the Ali Forney Center and had a ball singing with new band members, on the same bill with Nicholas Ryan Gant, Jahi Kearse, and Roderick Covington thanks to the help of Charles Browning the show at Nectar was a success. Special thanks to Dahgrib! An announcement has also gone out regarding my participation in Katori Hall's new play, "Hurt Village" premiering in New York in February! I'm looking forward to doing a new and challenging role and excited to work with Miss. Patricia McGregor and I can't believe the show currently boasts 3 former students of Freddie Hendricks, Tri-Citie Highschool and YEA, myself along with Godspell's Joaquina Kalukango and Amari Cheatom along with the awesome Tony Award winning Tonya Pinkins whom I just saw in Milk Like Sugar! This show touches on some serious topics including the treatment of U.S. army vets post war and the effects of regentrification on a southern project apartment complex and its raucous residents. It's definitely a character that people have not seen me do. Along with that I'm thrilled to announce the Irie Girl: Saycon 2012 Calendar is now available on http://Cafepress.com/saycon with photos by Asantewaa Ricks and photo editing by Anthony Stewart, set up through Cafepress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqdsXJjq0cc We had so much fun shooting the calendar along with promo videos! Check them out.  My hope is that this is another opportunity for followers of the music and shows can enjoy, fun to create and inspiring. I ask that friends and family please share a store link among your friends and cohorts to help support independent artists. The Saycon Online Boutique features an Everday Warrior journal and also other calendars and t-shirts that are great for making 2012 the best it can be! My prayer is that it will be amazing for you and your family! Shine in 2012!

Sounds of the Season with Saycon

Hope to see you at my upcoming appearances:

Thursday December 8th:

The 3rd Annual A Very MARY Holiday Gala benefiting The Ali Forney Center
AVMH will honor Sonja Morgan from The Real Housewives of NYC with the Broadway Speaks OUT Hero Award.
Guests include:
Tituss Burgess and many many more! An opening number featuring Saycon Sengbloh, Elasea Douglas, and Allison Guinn with a Christmas classic!

Hosted by Marti Gould Cummings
Musical direction by Brad Gardner & Kristen Rosenfeld

http://maryholiday.eventbrite.com/

SATURDAY December 10th in HARLEM:

 Nectar presents...Sounds of the Season

Featuring various artists including Nicholas Ryan Gant, Rodrick Covington, Jahi Kearse, and Saycon Sengbloh. This is a holiday event you want to attend. Come and bring friends. Its gonna be a sexy grooving night!  Come to the show and enjoy dinner too! A $5 fee will be added to all guests checks.

Visit for reservations:http://www.nectarwinenyc.com/