Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / July 30, 2009, edition 1 / Page 54
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Lil' Magic Productions Photos Kim W'ayans in "A Handsome Woman Retreats." J/%mdmrw Womm9ietmt& As a member of America's First Family of Comedy, Kim Wayans can make an audience roll in the aisles with laugnter with little effort. But her critically-acclaimed one-woman show, "A Handsome Woman Retreats" is no laughing matter - well, at least not all of it. vvciyciiio upend iicidcii ujj in uic piu duction, taking audiences to places that most celebrities kept hidden. "One will have had to live a little to get it," she told the Los Angeles Wave in the fall of 2007 as the show was set to make its premiere. "It's a comedic, spiritual journey. It's a very personal journey. I'm not taking on a role, or a character in this show ? it's me, about my life, what I've been through, .. stuff family doesn't even know I've been through ... but they'll know now." Wayans' pain, insecurities and even her struggles with faith lay bare for audi ences to see. But even when the issues are serious and unpleasant - such as Wayans' displeasure with the lack of roles offered to black actresses that don't have a certain look - the actress finds a way to subtly inject her trademark humor. . . ? ...... , ^ "A Hanasome woman Ketreats' begins with Wayans at a 1 0-day silent meditation retreat which she decides to attend to combat her panic attacks. Her doctor had rec ommended prozac, zantax, antnrax ? somethin' with an 'ax' in it" to cure the attacks, but Wayans took the advice of her^yoga insLruc.tor insIeac? fna neaas orr to tne retreat, i nere, sne riasn es-back over her life and to the moments that shaped her, such as growing up as a Jehovah's Witness in the projects of New York City; the backhanded compliment from a relative (who called her handsome instead of pretty); and unsuccessful attempts to make her nose smaller by pinching it with a clothes pin. Excellent word of mouth has allowed Wayans to take the show, which is produced by her Lil' Magic Productions, across the country, ^ inrlnHinn tn hprhomptnwn whprpcho / \ performed at the 2008 SoloNOVA Arts Festival. / Kim Wayans is best known for / performing alongside her broth- / * ers Damon, Shawn, Keenen and Marlon on television programs like the groundbreaking "In Living Color," and movies like "Don t Be a Menace to South \ Central While Drinking Your Juice \ in The HnnrL" "A Low Down Dirtv > Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. 17 at 3 $8 p.m. at the Summit *ug 3*8 Sum School Ticket Price: 1 40 Shame" and "Dance Flick." She also had a memorable role in the 2002 film " luwanna Man." She moveri hehinrt thp camera -adding the titles writer, director and SfdCbhrXXmonth ^ S'tC?m "My Wife and A graduate of Wesleyan University, Wavans released her first two children's books last year. The books, based on a mixed-race girl named "Amy Hodgepodge," (www.amyhodgepodge.com) are co-authored by Kim's husband, Kevin Knotts. The mixed race cou ple say that they were inspired to write the books by their nieces and nephews, many of whom are of mixed race. Wayans is also working to bring the musical "Hello, My Friend" to the stage. It's the story of three middle-school friends on the brink of womanhood. - The Chronicle V'.' ' ? ? ??. ' ... :
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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July 30, 2009, edition 1
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