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Art mProfessional Theatre Thrives At Billie HolidaviMaurice Carlton and Elaine Graham in a scene from A. MarcusHemphill%u2019s %u201c Inacent Black and the Five Brothers%u2019%u2019 on the stageat the Billie Holiday Theater.JULINDA LEWIS WILLIAMSOne of ihe things Majorie Moon is emphatic about is that the Billie Holiday Theatre (BHT) is a %u201c professional community based theatre as opposed to a community theatre.%u201d Majorie Moon is the executive producer of BHT, home of %u201c Brooklyn%u2019s professional resident black theatre company,\company that will be entering its second season this fall in the 200 seat theatre located in the Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant.While the BHT has been in existence since May 1972, it did not begin producing until 1976, For its first three years the theatre presented other companies and showcased well-known performers as a first step in developing an audience. During those years BHT highlighted performers such as jazz singer Betty Carter, the Eleo Pomarce Dance Company, jazz musician Freddi Hubbard, actress Ruby Dee and composer Eubie Blake. Then Moon was appointed executive director in 1975 and BHT began producing original works by black writers.A typical season, according to artistic director Mikell Pinkey, runs from November to June and includes three plays. One musical, one comedy and one drama are scheduled for a minimum of eight weeks each. The ten works produced to date have run from 20 to 122 performances, yet according to Moon each has been a success in its own way. Lenox Brown's %u201c Winti Train%u201d opened in March 1977 and closed after only 20 performances, picking up an Audelco Award for scenic design. Weldon Irvine%u2019s musical %u2018%u2018Young, Gifted and Broke%u201d has had the longest run. It opened in May 1977 and ran ihrough January 1978, closing after 122 performances. It was directed by Majorie Moon and it also won an Audelco Award. Commercial success has, so far, been elusive, but BHT may be said to be doingquite well.BROOKLYN%u2019S ADVANTAGESAND DISADVANTAGESThere arc disadvantages in its Brooklyn location. Vinette Carroll%u2019s Urban Arts Corp., Barbara Ann Teer%u2019s National Black Theatre, Hazel J. Bryant%u2019s Richard Allen Center, Rosetta LeNoire's AMAM Repertory Theatre and Woodie King Jr.%u2019s New Federal Theatre are among the many black theatre organizations located in Manhattan where they are more visible to critics, to off-Broadway theatre audiences and to funding organizations. BHT is pleased that its audiences are predominatly black.Yet lack of financial means to invest in major media advertising makes it difficult to reach the very audience BHT wants to attract. According to Moon many people would rather travel to Manhattan where they can be sure of seeing a %u201c quality\received a media stamp of approval. Much of BHT's publicity is by word of mouth and the past few seasons have seen the development of an audience of %u201c regulars%u201d , groups from the Bronx, New Jersey, Queens as well as from Brooklyn.One advantage to geographical disadvantage has been the development of a service that cuts two ways. Theatre parties organized by block associations, church groups and the like may arrange to buy blocks of 200 seats, filling the theatre and making as much as $1,000 profit for the group. Placed at the beginning of a run the group members spread the word and stimulate more interest in the current play. (The box office generates only 25 to 30 per cent of the operating budget. Restoration Corp. provides an additional 30 to 35 percent. 40 percent must be raised through funding and grants.) Enthusiastic audiences generate interest that shows up in box office receipts as well as inincreased publicity. The producer must often opt for a work with high entertainment value (i.e. box office appeal) rather than one with outstanding artistic merit. In alltoo-rare instances the thought provoking drama also possesses box office appeal.SOLD OUT HOUSESuch has been the case with the most recent BHT production, A. Marcus Hemphill%u2019s %u201c Inacent Black and the Five Brothers.%u201d At the time of this writing %u2018%u2018Inacent Black%u201d was entering its 15th week of performances to a sold out house. Billed as %u201c A new spiritual mystery comedy%u201d , I found %u201c Inacent Black\work of both artistic merit and audience appeal. The entire cas treceived standing ovations and to say that 1 was impressed by the resident company%u2019s performance is an understatement.The story, which involved a family of wealthy black real estate tycoons and the angel who is sent to help solve the problems that could destroy them, hardly seems the stuff of which Broadway hits are made. Even the rather nondescript posters advertising the play do not promise much in the way of entertainment. Yet it is visually exciting. The stage set, built by BHT crew, is lovely. The lighting effects are dramatically exciting yet subtle. Special light and sound effects at the climax are superb. The comedy was not forced and the characters were human. In short, itwas a production that sent me walking home with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.Should %u201c Inacent Black%u201d be picked up for Broadway production, the commercial success would have positive repercussions for BHT. Critics from major media would be more likely to come to future productions. Audiences and experienced performers alike would be attracted. The exposure would provide much needed visibility, giving BHT credibility as a %u201c recognized%u201d institution, and hopefully, increased funding. The press, 1 am told, is powerful.BHT is not a community theatre in that it does not produce amateur productions, but it does serve a community through its productions, its theatre parties, its stabilizing effect on a community that is experiencing change.UNIQUE PROGRAMSNot surprisingly, it has an educational function as well. BHT does not sponsor readings of original works as do many black theatre organizations, but it does have an apprentice program. Two 15-year old apprentices, one in design and one in sound, were listed on a recent program. These youngsters are getting practical experience that will undoubtedly give them a valuable edge in the job market once they%u2019ve finished school.The Bubble Gum Players, established in 1977, is a children%u2019s company that gives limited run performances. The company has a limit of about 40 members who are chosen by audition from the children%u2019s workshop. Open to students from 3-17 who pay $15 per semester, the workshop offers classes in drama, yoga, body conditioning and dance. The children%u2019s parents have reported impressive improvements in schoolwork which they attribute to the discipline and increased attention span developed in the workshop classes.Fred LewisNew workWORK OF ART GALLERY87 Atlantic AvenueO ct. 5-21 2-6 p.m .Frid ays, S atu rd ays, SundaysO pening: O ctober 7Full-Value ReassessmentWhat Does It Mean??3 community forums todiscuss our property taxesMonday, October 22Unitarian Church in Brooklyn Heights50 Monroe PlaceTuesday,October 23Our Lady of Peace in Park SlopeFirst Street between 4rd & 4th five.Thursday, October 25P.S. 58 in Carroll Gardens322 Smith St.SPONSORED BY: The Independent Neighborhood Democrats. The West Brooklyn Independent Democrats. District Leaders Sal Ferraioli and Eileen Dugan. Assemblyman Michael PescePage 20. The PHOENIX. October 18. 19/9BalletJazzDance Conditioning Specialty ClassesChanceJleufiiUGentelDirectorDeborah Adams 852 0981 151 Atlantic Avenue %u201e Brooklyn Heights, N Y. 11201ECKANKARpresents\Every individual at some point in his or her tile is laced with the conflict between hisspiritual seeking and his material needs For some it is a relentless struggle toreconcile the two %u2014 to find a balanceIt is possible to live in this world, enioying the things which are a part ol it withoutcompromising one's inner spiritual values, while maintaining a balanced activelifeYou are invited to attend this lecture and participate in Ihe discussion about theageless principles ol ECKANKARA Public Lecture:Monday, October 228:00 9:30 pm(tree admission)YWCA of Brooklyn 30 Third Ave (at Atlantic) BrooklynuniTHRinn FIRST CHURCH Of BROOKLYNThe Magical Ministry Town%u201dJoan GelbinIntern Minister11:00 a.m. Oct. 21,1979An unexammed faith i6 not worth having.James Luther AdamsB rooklyn S o ciety forE th ical C ulture53 Prospect Park West at 2nd St. 768-2972Speaker %u2014 AlanTitle %u2014 The Civil Liberty Challengeand Today%u2019s EthicsEVERYONE WELCOMEThe Kane Street SynagogueCongregation Baith Israel Anshei ErnesSix short blocks past Atlantic AvenueA pleasant walk into the heart of Historic Cobble HillRegular Shabbal Services -10 a m. Kabblal Shabbat Services and Shabbat - Friday evenings - 6:15 p.m.Religious School in Session. Registration Open For information. IR5 t5S0or 269 3445tiaymon scnematin. Hanoi