Manhattan College Celebrates Black History Month With Performance By Keith David
Emmy-winning actor/singer will be accompanied by Broadway composer Frank Owens
In celebration of Black History Month, renowned actor and singer Keith David will travel to Manhattan College on Feb. 19 to stage a medley of African-American-themed songs and historical readings. The event will be held in Smith Auditorium from noon to 2 p.m., and is sponsored by the College’s Diversity Committee.
David, who boasts more than 150 film, stage and television credits, including roles in the blockbuster hits Crash, There’s Something About Mary and Platoon, will recite two notable Frederick Douglass readings, including the seminal 1852 speech What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? In addition, he will perform an assortment of classical songs popularized by civil rights icon Paul Robeson. Jazz/pop recording artist Frank Owens — a Broadway composer/conductor who served as the original musical director for The Late Show With David Letterman — will accompany David on piano.
A native New Yorker now living in Los Angeles, David has earned Emmy awards for his voiceover roles the Ken Burns documentaries The War and Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. He has also received a Tony nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in the Broadway musical Jelly’s Last Jam.
Media interested in attending should contact John Tucker by email at john.tucker@manhattan.edu or by phone (718) 862-7232.