Kingmaker? New rave for Antonio D. Charity

Add the influential NYTheatre.com to the tastemakers giving rave reviews to Antonio D. Charity, the young, veteran TV, movie and stage actor who wants a chance to portray Martin Luther King on film, and the ensemble cast of Black Angels Over Tuskegee.

Black Angels is the new play about trailblazing African-American World War II fighter pilots that opened days ago Off Broadway.

NY Theatre's Ivana Cullinan writes:

"Black Angels Over Tuskegee is a deeply wonderful production that takes an important historical event, presents it in a very intimate manner, and demands a personal response to its characters... The sheer depth and emotional power of this cast creates an authentically fulfilling and glorious night of theatre that honors an impressive group of men, the Tuskegee Airmen.

"...The narrator... a father talking to his son; as the character, Antonio Charity does some fine story work throughout..."

The play, and Charity, made international news when The New York Times praised the play, concluding: "By the end, when the pilots overcame their obstacles and finally got up into the air to the swelling of music, tears welled up in my eyes ..."

An Associated Press review raved that "this powerful play... is well-staged and the characters so realistic that the audience can't help but be thoroughly moved by the time the narrator reaches the end of the journal."

Hundreds of people have joined the Facebook group, "Antonio D. Charity should play Martin Luther King in DreamWorks' biopic," in support of Charitys quest to get an audition for the lead role int he film being produced by Steven Spielberg, Suzanne dePasse and Madison Jones.

“Black Angels Over Tuskegee” is playing at St. Luke’s Theater, 308 West 46th Street, Clinton; (212) 239-6200, www.telecharge.com.

The Man Who Would Be Martin Luther King: Antonio D. Charity opens Off Broadway, is reviewed by The New York Times

Actor Antonio D. Charity, the gifted and charismatic performer who wants a chance to portray Martin Luther King on film, gets first mention in the reviews for Black Angels Over Tuskegee, the new play about trailblazing African-American World War II fighter pilots that opened Off Broadway this week.

The New York Times leads the praise of this "uplifting, inspirational melodrama" this morning, concluding: "By the end, when the pilots overcame their obstacles and finally got up into the air to the swelling of music, tears welled up in my eyes ..."


The hosannas were echoed by the influential and world-syndicated Associated Press:

"This powerful play... is well-staged and the characters so realistic that the audience can't help but be thoroughly moved by the time the narrator reaches the end of the journal."

The Times notes that "the folksy narrator (Antonio D. Charity)... provides historical context and dictionary definitions of racism and segregation. 'You see, I believe in the principle that all men are created equal,' he says at the start."


That portion of Charity's performance could show scouts for the MLK biopic now being developed by Steve Spielberg and DreamWorks that the actor wants to star in. His quest to have his work seen by Spielberg and fellow producers Suzanne dePasse and Madison Jones has turned into a national crusade to give a deserving actor the role he has been preparing for his entire life (Charity has portrayed the Rev. Dr. King onstage off-Broadway and as far back as high school!).


Hundreds of friends and colleagues and fans have joined the Facebook group, "Antonio D. Charity should play Martin Luther King in DreamWorks' biopic," and many more have added their support.

As Antonio tells his supporters on the Facebook page:

"Thanks again everybody! I'm just looking for an opportunity to audition for the role, to compete for it. That's all I need."

“Black Angels Over Tuskegee” is playing at St. Luke’s Theater, 308 West 46th Street, Clinton; (212) 239-6200, www.telecharge.com.

Attention, Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe, Madison Jones and DreamWorks!

The grassroots campaign to get actor Antonio D. Charity a chance to audition for the lead role in DreamWorks' upcoming biopic of Martin Luther King is gaining momentum. On the eve of Charity's first preview performance in the Off Broadway play, Black Angels Over Tuskegee, fans and friends alike have been coming forward to attest to the actor's abilities, and his track record of portraying the civil rights legend in productions dating back to his high school days in Virginia.

The have appeared, among other places, on this site as well as the Facebook group that's pushing for producers Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to give Antonio D. Charity a chance:

Antonio is one of the few actors that gives me goosebumps while performing. He is an amazing talent, friend and person, and will be outstanding in this portrayal!

I have to agree that Antonio D. Charity is the right actor to play the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He's has been portraying Dr. King since high school. There is no doubt that Antonio would be the most believable actor in that role.

I had the privilege of watching Antonio play Dr. King on stage when we were in high school together! Although I was just a girl, I still think of the moment where I saw Dr. King come alive before me every time I hear the "I Have a Dream Speech"! He is the only man for that role!

Antonio Charity is an amazing talent and the producers would be amiss if he was not seriously considered for this role.

As the director for ORANGE ALERT and the pilot for DISCOVER ME!, for which I was blessed to to have Antonio perform, I say Antonio would be a brilliant choice to play MLK.

I saw this great actor live on stage. When he transformed himself into Dr. King, I really thought he was Dr. King. Yes! Everyone Join this group!

Wassup Antonio D. Charity....I am 100% supportive of you at least getting the opportunity to audition for the MLK film. You seem very accomplished and driven so you should be given the opportunity to go for the film. I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.

I believe that Antonio would be an excellent choice to portray Dr. King, Antonio is a strong young man with a voice that can penetrate the mountain top. Dr. King had that same type of voice that when he spoke, all of your attention was focused on him, Antonio can generate that same type of atmosphere.

Sometimes there comes an actor, taking us all by surprise, and is the only true choice to play a MAJOR/ Leading role. antonio d.charity embodies such an actor.

You were born to play that role!

I saw you play MLK and you were terrific.

Antonio is definitely a contender and strong competition for this role. He is an intense, committed actor with extraordinary depth who can make this piece a beautifully memorable one.

Antonio D. Charity should have his dream come true. He's a wonderful actor and friend and I've seen him brilliantly portray Dr. King, as well as seeing him in many other plays.

I have seen Antonio D. Charity play Dr. King in "The Meeting" and he is amazing... but more than that, Antonio is an amazing man, who spends his time helping others and dedicates his life to issues that would make Dr. King proud... I've seen Antonio, in numerous plays both in New York & LA and he always impresses with his talent, and keen intelligence. Someone at Dreamworks please contact him.

Black Angels Over Tuskegee begins previews at the St. Luke's Theatre on West 46th Street on Friday January 29th. Opening night is February 15th, and the show is set to run through March 28th.

Onstage: See the man who would be King

We told you about Antonio D. Charity, the up-and-coming actor who wants to play the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in the DreamWorks motion picture that's now in development. That's a tall order for a relatively unknown actor, but Charity definitely has the chops, as he's demonstrated on prestige television shows like The Wire, and the play, The Meeting, in which he portrayed Martin Luther King.

Now there's a chance for scouts from the DreamWorks project to see Antonio D. Charity at work, onstage.

Antonio is headed to New York City, where he's starring in the Off Broadway play, Black Angels Over Tuskegee, about six black pilots during World War II.


The play runs at the St. Luke's Theatre in the heart of the Theatre District at 308 West 46th Street.

Antonio has the lowdown:

"I'm in a play called 'Black Angels Over Tuskegee', written and directed by Layon Gray. It is produced by The Black Gents Of Hollywood, a theatre company based in Los Angeles. 'Black Angels Over Tuskegee' is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. It is this generation's 'A Soldier's Play.' It chronicles experience of 6 black pilots during WWII. We won an NAACP Theatre Award for "Best Ensemble". We performed at the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina, onboard the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage celebrity cruise, at the Tuskegee Airmen National Convention in Las Vegas, at the California African American Museum and at several other venues.

"Now we are headed to New York for an Off Broadway run at St. Luke's Theatre on 46th Street. This is my return to the New York stage after a 5-year adventure in Los Angeles. I last performed Off Broadway in Playwrights Horizons' 2004 production of Lynne Nottage's 'Fabulation'. 'Black Angels Over Tuskegee' begins previews on Friday January 29th. Opening night is February 15th, and the show closes March 28th. Please spread the word and plan to be there. This is an amazing play! It is a must see. I hope you can make it. Thanks for your consideration."

As for Antonio's ambitions to play Martin Luther King?

He tells supporters on the growing Facebook site:

"Thank you all. I just wanna shot, a chance to walk in the room and show 'em what I'm workin' with."