E. Lynn Harris is coming to a stage near you. Yes, after years of botched negotiations with the movie studios, E. Lynn Harris is taking his soap opera-ish novel to the stage. Live theater, y'all! I bet Tyler Perry (of Madear's many reunions series) can't be too happy about this. Or is the "Chitlin Circuit" big enough for two "queens"?
We'll just have to wait and see.
"Not A Day Goes By" will star that inimitable diva of "227" fame, Jackee' ("Uuuuh...this is Sauun-drah.") and the Black chick who was a finalist on "American Idol," first season.
I ain't gon' lie, I'm curious to see if bad writing can be turned into a good play. And just a wee bit curious to see all those glorious shades of black and brown skin that E. Lynn has penned culinary terms for.
Fortunately, if his play is successful--and I hope that it is, for what reason, I'm unsure--heteros, Black women in particular, will have more (3-dimensional, this time) Black beefcake to feed their fantasies. Homos on the other hand, won't fare so well. A recent radio promo on the "Tom Joyner Coon Show" informed listeners that all those "fine Brothas in the play are 'straight.'" Tsk, tsk, tsk... (Or, "Ha!" if you know much about theater or anything about "the DL.")
In the meantime, if you can't make or afford to see the play, save your coins. Mr. Harris has promised us another beach book (his 10th!) by summer.
For show details go to Mr. Harris's Web site (elynnharris.com).
Posted by Darrell at December 22, 2003 12:05 PM | TrackBackYes, E.Lynn Harris is not considered advanced reading but he makes it know that he’s trying to capture and or attract readers who aren’t regular readers. Its’ his experiences and vivid imagination that caught my attention..Check out his autobiography WHAT BECOMES OF A BROKEN HEARTED..He explains his plight and adversities in Homophobic America as a quote, DL Male (laughing) ..How ever, his experiences are almost sur-real, when he speaks of famous friends and dignitaries from the past..
Your Friend M.Thomas
Posted by: M.Thomas at September 12, 2005 07:47 AMWell, I love his book and have met him on a couple of occassions and found him very engaging to talk to. I am looking forward to seeing the play…
Posted by: Donald at February 15, 2004 11:42 PMActually, I went to see the play when it came to Morgan State University. I must say that after reading each and everyone of Harris’s book, I was thrilled about seeing the play. I had many expectations for it. His books are awesome, so I was rather disappointed when the play did not meet my expectations by doing the book, “Not A Day Goes By” any justice at all. However, the cast were quite sexy and they posessed great acting skills. Plus, because there were parts of the play that was very entertaining, I am optimistic that if another play is written, it will be much better. Some improvements that can be made for the play to be more successful are better scenery, more entertaining writing, and not leaving any questions unanswered at the end of the play (ie-Maddeline, basil straight or gay, etc).
Posted by: Christina at February 2, 2004 10:14 AMYou Go Lynn, I drove 175miles to a book signing in Detroit and plan to do it again for the musical play.
Loyal fan LaVon Watkins Clevelan Ohio
Posted by: LaVon at January 26, 2004 04:33 PMWell I for one am looking forward to the play. I’ve read all of his books and enjoyed every single one. Give the guy a break, I think he’s doing an awesome job.
Posted by: william at January 18, 2004 01:13 PMWell I think Mr. Harris’ books are well written and they really are very realistic. I’ve read all of them and I’m anxiously awaiting his tenth novel coming in August. Give him a break. I think he’s a shining star, at the top of his game. So don’t hate. His characters are off the hook. I will never forget, Raymond, Kyle, Basil, Yancey, Nicole, Ava, Peaches, Windsor, Zola, Mama Cecee, Mia, Tamela, Zurich, Sean etc. They all were so flawed yet so loving and real. Such exotic names. I can’t wait to see the play in New Orleans.
Posted by: Annettte at January 8, 2004 05:07 PMI hear that Eric Jerome Dickey’s Friends and Lovers is being done as a stage play. It’s being done by the same guys that did Michael Baisdens Play, and they are far better that the chitlin SAVE ME JEEBUS stuff out there. I think this one should be great!!! I saw Both Men Cry in the Dark and The Maintenance Man, and they were tastefully done…
Posted by: Jackie C at January 8, 2004 12:25 AMHey Darrell!!! you need to blog more often… you had me rollling with this one… looking forward to your next entry…
peace!
Posted by: Philippe at December 30, 2003 12:25 PMI stopped reading his shi…uh…books several novelas ago. I just couldn’t spare the ten minutes it took to read them.
$ Lynn Harris was in sales before becoming an author,and apparently has never lost the touch. His books offer nothing for us, but plenty of tittilation for the curious masses. I’m sure the bus loads of church folks will pour into the Beacon Theatre to see this.
Posted by: Bernie at December 26, 2003 12:08 AMWe knew this would happen. Hollywood didn’t come fast enough and E. Lynn has been waiting to see one of his books dramatized for sometime now. Not a Day Goes By sucks like yesterday’s lemon, but it’s not supposed to be great. It’s gossip. Fun and funnier. All of his work is. We (meaning black LGBT/SGL people) are usually minstrels in these chitlin circuit plays. I wonder how a gaggle of us will fair in an E. Lynn Harris play. Can’t be too good, I’d imagine. Probably a lot of Godstuff is gonna get thrown about. Save ME, Jeebus!
Posted by: steven at December 25, 2003 12:55 PMWell, Jackee Harry is a very good one, anyway, so she might be the one to go see this play for. Very, very good.
And Darrell…bout time you posted! You know we’ve been waiting for you to shine your light! grins
Posted by: ej at December 22, 2003 03:06 PMYou got me rolling with this entry. I am so not an Eeek! Lynn Harris fan it’s not even funny. I met him a few years ago and just didn’t like his whole aura. Very not cool. Leave it to the Blacks to churn out another chitlin’ circuit play.
Posted by: karsh at December 22, 2003 01:22 PM