“Swimming Upstream” Play Take Over The ATL

November 7th 2008

Last night I had the pleasure in attending the Opening Night Gala for the production Swimming Upstream at the W midtown Hotel. Directed by Atlanta’s own Kenny Leon, Swimming Upstream tells the story about the victims of Hurricane Katrina through short stories of the women who lived to tell about it. Set in the similar format as The Vagina Monologues (*Not that I’ve Seen IT!) but they have the same playwright, Eve Ensler. This production really moved me and the singing was Off the Chain. It reminded me how lucky we are and how one of the worst natural disasters in our nation affected so many.

The production has a beautiful cast of women that include, Phylicia Rashad, Jasmine Guy, Kerry Washington and the women of New Orleans.

Kenny Leon, Phylicia Rashad, and her grandson Derrick

I was able to catch up with Ms. Rashad after her performance, and man I gotta says she’s still beautiful inside and out. We remember her the best as the classy, no nonsense mother on ”The Cosby Show” and more recently in the TV production of “A Raisin in The Sun”, and on Broadway in ”Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. It seems like she’s getting back to her roots. Did ya’ll know that she starred on Broadway in “DREAMGIRLS” in the role of Deena Jones as Sheryl Lee Ralphs’ understudy. I got that tid bit of info as Ms. Rashad, or as I call her, Phylicia, got close and personal during the reception. In addition to her Atlanta connection here with Kenny Leon, she also has close family here in the ATL. Jasmine Guy and Daughter