The Man Who Would Be King: DreamWorks has Antonio D. Charity's acting reel; now will they give him an audition?

The dream of actor Antonio D. Charity to portray Martin Luther King Jr. on film is now in the hands of Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones.

The young, veteran actor, who has portrayed the Rev. Dr. King in numerous productions dating back to high school, has sent his acting reel and resume to DreamWorks SKG, Spielberg's company that is developing and producing the biopic.


And is it such a wild idea to cast a relative unknown in such a high-profile role?

Not at all, as evidenced by recent news that David Oyelowo, a British actior unknown here, has been signed to play Dr. King in Lee Daniels' film, Selma. This picture will track the 1965 civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, and in true Hollywood tradition, focus on a white guy-- in this case Hugh Jackman as a racist sheriff.

We have detailed the grassroots movement to give Antonio D. Charity an audition for the role of his dreams.

It's now up to Steven Spielberg and his fellow producers to do the right thing.

Antonio can now be seen Off-Broadway in the production of Black Angels Over Tuskegee, which received rave reviews and whose run has been extended through May at the St. Luke's Theatre in midtown Manhattan.

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.

MLK movie dream: A message from Iraq

"It appears that Hollywood is stuck
on using the same old faces
time and time again and then wonder
why a particular movie flopped;
when in reality a new name,
a new face could and probably would
have produced a better result.
Well, Hollywood,
here is an opportunity to do just that!"

The Facebook group dedicated to giving actor Antonio D. Charity a chance to audition for the lead role in DreamWorks' upcoming biopic of Martin Luther King has tripled in membership in recent days, and as we've shown you, many people are looking to producers Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to do the right thing and give Antonio D. Charity a chance to realize a dream he's had since he first portrayed Dr. King on the high school stage.

But tucked away among the Facebook comments and notes of encouragement and support is testimony from a man who might know better than anyone just how good Antonio D. Charity will be in the role:

"Tonio's acting abilities, stage performances, and work ethics speaks for themselves. I want to speak from another point of view about Hollywood itself. There are a lot of fine young talented actors and actresses that are waiting to be heard and seen and they should be given the opportunity to do so. But it appears that Hollywood is stuck on using the same old faces time and time again and then wonder why a particular movie flopped; when in reality a new name, a new face could and probably would have produced a better result.

"Well, Hollywood, here is an opportunity to do just that. Give the role of Dr. Martin Luther King to Antonio D. Charity and you'll never regret it.

"I know, he's my baby brother.

"Respectfully,

"LTC Herbert N. Charity
Beladiyat, IRAQ"

The play, Black Angels Over Tuskegee, starring Antonio D. Charity in an ensemble of great actors, begins previews at the St. Luke's Theatre on West 46th Street tomorrow night, Friday January 29th. Opening night is February 15th, and the show is set to run through March 28th.