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Boston Globe
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
The Ufot Family Cycle turns toward a younger generation in ‘Kufre N' Quay'
Directed by John ADEkoje, 'Kufre N' Quay' is the fifth drama in Mfoniso Udofia's nine-play Ufot Family Cycle, which chronicles the experiences of three generations of a Nigerian-American family over a period of decades. As with August Wilson's 'Century Cycle,' which explored the Black experience through the prism of a drama for each decade of the 20th century, what makes Udofia's plays work is that they're grounded in a specificity of character while also encompassing major sociological movements. Advertisement The playwright is nothing if not ambitious, and in 'Kufre N' Quay,' she fuses a coming-of-age story with a strangers-in-a-strange-land narrative, while also delving into issues of racial identity (Udofia calls it 'the most overt race-play in the cycle') and belonging. In an initiative spearheaded by The Huntington and its artistic director, Loretta Greco, dozens of Boston-area arts organizations have committed to staging the plays in the Ufot Family Cycle. Previous productions have included But 'Kufre N' Quay' does not reach the level of those four earlier plays. The action begins in the summer of 2018 and moves back and forth from the Inwood section of Manhattan to Harlem to — in Kufre's mind, at least — Lagos, Nigeria. Advertisement A glowing glass model of the solar system given to him by his grandmother ignites Kufre's vivid imagination, allowing the universe to periodically open up to him. Projection designer Justin Lahue and lighting designer Karen Perlow have done stellar work in evoking the cosmos. Act One is unwieldy; it feels both overstuffed and underdeveloped as the kids at the youth center treat Kufre with derision while counselor Miss Ey Yo Miss (Jalyse Ware) tries to persuade them to accept the newcomer. The play begins to round into form in Act Two, which foregrounds the estimable Ramona Lisa Alexander as Iniabasi Ekpeyong, Kufre's fiercely protective mother, and Jackie Davis as Abasiama Ufot, his even more formidable grandmother. This is the first professional production by the Boston Arts Academy, which has teamed up with Wheelock Family Theatre. A dozen academy students are in the cast. Unsurprisingly, with such a youthful ensemble, the levels of acting ability vary widely. One clear standout is Ngolela Kamanampata, who transitions skillfully through multiple moods as 13-year-old Laquasha 'Quay' Price. Quay is Kufre's first ally at the youth center, until he alienates her by saying, clumsily, that she is good enough to live in Nigeria while none of the other Black kids are. 'You are one of the better ones,' he says, intending it as praise. She is rightly incensed. Eventually, he is rightly repentant. In the aforementioned program note, Udofia writes that she focuses on young people in the play 'so we can see how early the othering starts. How deep it cuts. And maybe — because it's youth at the center — how possible it is to change.' Advertisement KUFRE N' QUAY Play by Mfoniso Udofia. Directed by John ADEkoje. Presented by Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre. At Boston Arts Academy. Through July 26. Tickets $21.40 to $41.80. 617-635-6470, Don Aucoin can be reached at
Boston Globe
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Boston Arts Academy steps in to help craft the next Ufot Cycle play: ‘Kufre n' Quay'
Before a recent rehearsal, Mngomezulu says that coming to America has been a 'culture shock' for his character. Seated next to him, castmate Kamanampata explains that 'confusion and hurt and conflict can come when someone expects something of a culture that they've only seen caricatures and stereotypes of.' Kufre comes from a country, Udofia points out, where everyone is largely of the same race. 'We're seeing the story through the eyes of a child who does not know he is Black until he gets to this country,' she says. 'He's meeting America for the first time at this age without any vocabulary for Blackness. … So what does that mean to suddenly hold that word?' Advertisement The show marks the first professional theater production ever for (who lives in Newton).'The youth, they're like lights,' Udofia says. 'They bring me so much joy.' The Huntington aimed for this to be a citywide festival celebrating Udofia, who grew up in Southbridge near Worcester, with multiple theaters and cultural organizations taking part. So when Charles Haugland, the Huntington's director of new work, called Boston Arts Academy artistic director Maura Tighe more than a year ago and suggested that there could be roles for students in one of the plays, Tighe leapt at the chance to boost their involvement. 'I said, 'Why not let us do it?'' Tighe recalls, standing in the BAA theater's mezzanine. The Huntington loved the idea, and BAA partnered with the Wheelock Family Theatre to produce this installment. 'Our mission is to connect the students to the community and help them see the way to what's next for them in their artistic domain, to see themselves as professionals,' Tighe says. 'I've been looking for the right theater connection, and this just blossomed.' Advertisement The first play in the Ufot Cycle, Udofia, a Wellesley College graduate, was inspired to set the play at a youth center, because she worked for years as an educator and teaching artist. 'It's really in my bones,' she says. 'And I thought there's no better way to have Kufre feel out America than to land him in one of these summer programs that I am so familiar with in New York City.' She was able to draw from her own experiences and insights from spending time around young people. 'There's just a way they talk when they think you're not listening that I find fascinating. It is colorful, it is fast and sharp. It can be so sweet, one second. Cruel, the next. Language making is happening all the time.' Advertisement Director John Oluwole ADEkoje watches cast members rehearse a scene of "Kufre n' Quay." Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff At the youth center, there are two main cliques — one a group of kids who live in the Little Senegal enclave (most of whom speak French); and then a clique of Black American kids largely from Harlem and the Bronx. 'There's conflict because these people are all defining their identities very differently,' says director John Oluwole ADEkoje, who's Nigerian-American. 'And it's being read like each group feels like they're better than the other.' At first, Kufre is rejected by both cliques. So he goes off on his own and daydreams, and it's quickly apparent that he has formidable powers of imagination. 'He closes his eyes, stretches his arms, and imagines a place he wants to go and what he wants to happen, and then he just goes there,' Mngomezulu says. Levi Mngomezulu rehearses a scene of "Kufre n' Quay" at Boston Arts Academy. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Iniabasi (Ramona Lisa Alexander) arrives with her own set of prejudices, and when she finds out the other kids are bullying Kufre, she explodes. The dedicated Harlem Zone educator Ms. Jada, a.k.a. 'Ms. Ey Yo Miss' (Jalyse Ware), tries to help Kufre integrate into this new world while keeping the peace between the different cliques and teaching improv theater games. But it's Abasiama (Jackie Davis) who's best equipped to help her grandson navigate the tensions and strife. Having raised three children in Massachusetts, Abasiama has 'learned a little bit about the cultural biases that maybe she had initially,' Davis says. 'She understands both sides of the fence culturally, so she sees the mistakes that Kufre is making fresh from the continent. She's trying to be the person to ease him into this new society and not create harm as he's being harmed, but also getting him to understand how his interaction could have led to this misunderstanding.' Advertisement A BAA faculty member, playwright, and filmmaker, ADEkoje says that rehearsing with young people is 'a dance between being a professional director and being a teacher. You're guiding them through the process.' He did 'table work' — reading and discussing the play and breaking it down as a group — for longer than usual, before starting to block out scenes. 'I didn't want anybody getting up on their feet without understanding exactly who their characters are and what they want,' he says. Ultimately, Tighe says, 'This is a story about a boy who dreams, and he dreams so vividly, that things come to life on stage, and he's going to take all the other kids with him. He believes in this world where everybody's the same, and that's how they come to understand each other — through his dreams.' As they work to bring to life this unprecedented endeavor, Udofia is savoring every moment. 'This is a rehearsal process where I walk in happy, I walk out happy,' she says. 'These kids are bringing everything that they can and soaking it all up like a sponge. Watching them is my favorite thing.' KUFRE N' QUAY By Mfoniso Udofia, presented by the Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre. At Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre, July 10-26. Tickets from $22. 617-635-6470;
Business Wire
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Boston Arts Academy Foundation's 2025 Honors will Celebrate Visionary Leaders in Visual Arts, Design, Film, Fashion, Music and Civic Responsibility
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Boston Arts Academy Foundation, a vital 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization, proudly presents its annual star-studded BAAF Honors event with the theme "The Power of Art to Transform Well-Being." The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Legendary musician, actor and Boston native Donnie Wahlberg will receive the lifetime achievement award and notables such as Eliza Dushkin Palandjian will receive the TV + Film recognition, and New Edition singer and songwriter Johnny Gill will receive the music award and treat the crowd to a live performance! "While talent is evenly distributed in Boston, opportunity is not. We are so grateful to all of our donors and supporters who help make opportunities and experiences possible for the students of Boston Arts Academy,' says BAAF CEO Denella Clark Share BAAF President and CEO Denella Clark will serve as co-chair along with Pam Reeve, Boston Arts Academy Foundation Board Member, Former CEO, current Director of publicly traded and non-profit companies, and passionate supporter of women and diversity progress. This signature event is the largest annual single funding source for the Boston Arts Academy, the city's only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Guests will enjoy live performances by BAA students and alumni. "While talent is evenly distributed in Boston, opportunity is not. We are so grateful to all of our donors and supporters who help make opportunities and experiences possible for the students of Boston Arts Academy,' says BAAF President and CEO Denella Clark. 'Honors is a truly magical night where we celebrate the arts and spotlight the incredible professionals who demonstrate talent and leadership for our vibrant youth community.' 2025 Honorees: Dance Honoree - Dianne Walker - also known as Lady Di, is an American tap dancer. Her thirty-year career spans Broadway, television, film, and international dance concerts. Walker is the artistic director of TapDancin, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. Fashion Honoree - David Josef - From Debbie Reynolds to Raquel Welch, Boston fashion designer David Josef has dressed the best. His expertise has allowed him to give back in many ways and foster the growth of new designers. He is recognized internationally and his atelier is located in Waltham, MA. Visual Art Honoree - Ieasha James is a premiere event designer creating jaw-dropping events, experiences and visual wonders throughout Boston and New England. She is the owner of Endless Flair Events and works passionately to make client dreams come true and supports her community through many philanthropic endeavors. Each of her events emphasizes the main purpose and she also works as a coach and mentor to others in the industry. TV + Film Honoree - Eliza Dushku Palandjian is a mother, philanthropist, wellness specialist and former actress and producer. She has studied the piano, drums, and several types of dance (jazz, tap, and ballet). She began performing at the Watertown Children's Theater in her youth and went on to have a successful career in Hollywood. She is now an active wellness professional, philanthropist and activist living in Boston. Music Honoree - Johnny Gill is a singer songwriter and two-time Soul-Train award winner. He has two Grammy nominations and is the 2019 winner of the SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award for Album of the Year (for Game Changer II). He recently enjoyed a resurgence of popularity with his song, "Rub You the Right Way" on the popular social media app TikTok, with various influencers using the song for their videos. He is well known for being a part of New Edition, the American R&B/pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Civic Responsibility Honoree - Grace Lee is a Philanthropist and the Massachusetts Regional President, Executive Vice President at M&T Bank. Lee has combined over twenty-five years of public and private leadership. She is passionate about showing how money can fund arts, culture and inspire a lifetime of joy and purpose. She recently inspired a fundraising group in support of BAA with, 'If ever a time we needed the arts, it is now.' Lifetime Achievement Honoree: Donnie Wahlberg is an American singer, actor, and producer. He gained fame as a founding member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. He later transitioned to acting, starring in films like "The Sixth Sense" and "Saw" and the TV series "Blue Bloods.' He is currently filming 'Boston Blue' in and around town. Donnie is one of nine children from Dorchester, Massachusetts. For additional information about the Boston Arts Academy, Boston Arts Academy Foundation, the 2025 Honors Event on October 23rd, or to purchase tickets, sponsorships, or place an ad, visit
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Trump's NEA cuts hit hard
And so, in a move Advertisement Now, art must be about satisfying Dear Leader, and reflecting his vision of Great America. What does that look like? To a president who has slammed the door on almost all refugees Trump is Advertisement To small outfits like Urbanity runs community dance classes and programs to help improve mobility for people with Parkinson's. And for a few years now, its performers have worked with student dancers at Boston Arts Academy and others to create Urbanity won a $15,000 NEA grant to fund this year's performance, which played before a packed house at the school on March 28. The company fronted expenses, as it has in the past. 'I didn't have a question in my mind that we would get reimbursed,' said Betsi Graves, who founded the company 15 years ago. But earlier this month, Urbanity was one of hundreds of recipients of an NEA email pulling the grant. By that point, Graves wasn't entirely surprised: All of the dance administrators at the NEA had left, and when she had asked for the money, she couldn't get clear answers. Still, when the grant was pulled, it was a sucker punch, she said. On top of that, it made no sense. The letter said the NEA was acting to 'focus funding on projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.' It offered a list of those priorities that reads like a random, AI-generated poem: 'projects that elevate the Nation's HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again,' and more. Advertisement Graves could make a convincing argument that preventing bullying keeps America healthy, but what would be the use? It's impossible for her, or any arts leader, to satisfy this administration. Just as it's impossible for There's nothing for a small arts group like Urbanity to do but 'Our existence is always precarious,' Graves said. 'But it's especially so now, with regards to the government funding, and just the state of the economy, and not knowing how many donations we'll receive.' She worries donors will be chilled by Trump's crusade against the arts, that their support for Urbanity might make them, too, targets. But she is not backing down. 'We are not losing sight of our mission,' she said. 'All of us artists really have to band together and find new funding structures that will support our values.' That's how you stand up to bullies. Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham can be reached at
