The fallout behind the wins of Denzel Washington and Halle Berry at the 74th Academy Awards is still vibrating through Tinseltown. Opinions, both for and against their winning, are being hurled like spears from all around the world. Even right here in our own hometown, vicious letters to editors are cropping up. One example in the LA Times: "For every white man who had the experience and skills to do the job but wasn't hired because the boss had to hire a black and compensate for past injustices, Russell Crowe is our new poster boy." Do we really need this? The members of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences voted the wins on. Of course, there is a lot of politics involved in the voting, but do we really have to get nasty and try to taint their wins??

Actor Malik Yoba will make the Hollywood premiere of his new musical play, "What's On The Hearts of Men," April 9-14, 2002 at the Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.
Yoba teams up with Grammy Award-winning artists Stephanie Mills and BeBe Winans in the personal reflections of his life that addresses issues that affect men on a universal level, from domestic violence, deadbeat dads, fatherhood and love. Performances are at 8 p.m. nightly with matinee performances also on Saturday and Sundays at 3 p.m. For more information, call (213) 480-3232.

The two-day performance of Michael Ajakwe, Jr.'s stage reading of "You're All I Need To Get By: The Marvin Gaye - Tammi Terrell Love Story" turned away unprecedented numbers of theatregoers coming to Stage 52 Playhouse this past Monday and Tuesday. Celebrities including Britney Spears, Beverly Todd, Ted Lange, Norm Nixon and many others crowded into the now 99-seat venue to enjoy the fabulous performances of a superb cast headed by William L. Johnson (Marvin), Ashley Ta'Mar Davis (Tammi), Jesse Campbell (David Ruffin) and others. Ajakwe says he plans to bring the hit-play back to the stage sometime this summer.

And finally, "The Comedy Union" is the newest black-owned comedy club to hit the LA scene. Located at 5040 W. Pico Blvd., owners Enss Mitchell and Erick Nathan are vowing to unite comics with agents and managers. For more info, call (323) 934-9300.

Celebrity Birthdays:

• April 4 - Author/poet-Maya Angelou is 74; Singer-Jill Scott is 30
• April 6 - Actor-Billy Dee Williams is 65.
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  I've GOT to add my 2 cents. : )...karla with a k
  Thanks to Ron and Lynne Conner, I saw "You're All I Need To Get By" Tuesday, April 2, 2002, Marvin Gaye's 63rd Birthday, and it was AWESOME! I almost forgot it was a staged reading. Tear invoking gospel hymn vocalist, Jesse Campbell acted his behind off when he played the arrogantly cool, conceited and abusive, but talented David Ruffin. He jammed those Temptations hits! LaTamra Smith played an assertive and confident Valerie Simpson. Her short riff of "Solid" was a vocal tease. Classically trained Ashley Ta'mar Davis, gave us a charmingly innocent, but soul shaking rendition of Tammi Terrell. She matched up perfectly with the simmering paternal sexiness of her co-star, William L. Johnson who played a very convincing Marvin Gaye. The story by Michael Ajakwe, Jr. delivered the sensitivity, charisma, humor and love that epitomized the relationship between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. The talented supporting cast helped make this a virtual trip into our musical past that was a complete joy to behold.
  I don't recall any cursing, and as fellow spectator and actor, David McKnight pointed out in the Q&A that followed, no "N" words were spoken. Further proof and reassurance that we can still find entertainment in the Black community that won't embarrass you in front of your kids or your momma.