Tayo Aluko to bring 'Call Mr. Robeson' to area

HACKETTSTOWN — "Call Mr. Robeson", an award-winning play from U.K. is to be performed at an international presentation by Centenary Stage Company as part of the first-ever CSC Fringe Festival. Performances will run Nov. 12-15 in the Lackland Center located in Hackettstown.

This rollercoaster journey through actor/singer Paul Robeson’s remarkable life highlights his pioneering and heroic political activism as well as his music. It features Ol’ Man River and other famous songs, much fiery oratory, and a defiant testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Written and performed by Nigerian-born, U.K.-based playwright and singer Tayo Aluko with piano accompaniment by New York pianist Dennis Nelson, "Call Mr. Robeson" was chosen by the U.K. Guardian’s theatre as his top pick for things to see in London January 2011.

The play received a standing ovation at New York’s Carnegie Hall February 2012 and was staged in London’s West End October 2013. It has sold out several theatres internationally, including all 17 performances of a 2015 tour of New Zealand and Australia.

"Call Mr. Robeson" enjoyed a 4-week residency at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden, October 2013 where BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends presenter Clive Anderson saw it and later described it as one of the most memorable plays of the year.

"Call Mr. Robeson" has won numerous awards against international competition including Best Musical Performance at the Atlantic Fringe in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, August 2013, Best Solo Show at the Stratford-upon-Avon Fringe, June 2013 and the Argus Angel Award for Artistic Excellence and the Best Male Performer Award at the Brighton Fringe, May 2008.

"Call Mr. Robeson. A Life, With Songs" is written and performed by Tayo Aluko with piano by Dennis Nelson, directed by Olusola Oyeleye and designed by Phil Newman. Performances are Thursday Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $22.50 to $25.00. Thursday evening is a Rush Ticket Special, buy one get one free when purchased in person at the CSC box office. All ticket sales are final. All performances are located in the Lackland Center in Hackettstown, N.J.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the box office at (908) 979–0900. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1–5 p.m. and two hours prior to every performance.