Powerhouse vocalist Vickilyn Reynolds belts out crowd-pleasing jazz, blues and gospel numbers in her one-woman musical, “Hattie...What I Need You to Know,” at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall on Saturday, 8 p.m., April 11 and Sunday, 2 p.m., April 12.
The musical pays homage to Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to receive an Academy Award, in 1940, for her portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara’s sassy nursemaid, Mammy, in the iconic film, “Gone With The Wind.” The UCLA production, which marks the 75th anniversary of the actress' Oscar and kicks off a national tour, is sponsored by the UCLA Black Alumni Association and produced by UCLA alumna Rasheeda Garner; Byron Nora directs.
Reynolds researched and wrote “Hattie...What I Need You to Know,” which captures McDaniel’s life and rise to fame in Hollywood, from struggles with her domineering parents to her personal battles with racism and failed marriages. Reynolds, whose performance has brought audiences from New York to Los Angeles to their feet, won an AUDELCO Award for outstanding female performance in the music and was an NAACP Image Award nominee.
General admission tickets are $30; $40 for VIP preferred seating. Discounts are available; use promo code 007. Purchase tickets and find more information at Plays 411. Details are also available on the musical’s Facebook page.
