Darryl Maximilian Robinson Remembers Sir Sidney Poitier On 'The Actor's Choice'

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Tuesday, February 20, 2024

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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Now celebrating his 50th Anniversary as an American Stage Performer, Greater Chicago Area theatregoers may remember Chicago-born and stage-trained actor and play director Darryl Maximilian Robinson for his 1997 Joseph Jefferson Citation Outstanding Actor In A Principal Role In A Play Award-winning performance as Sam Semela in Athol Fugard's powerful anti-apartheid drama "Master Harold And The Boys" or for his 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award-nominated Best Direction of An Ensemble staging of Athol Fugard's "The Blood Knot" ( both mounted at the much-missed Heartland Cafe Studio Theatre of Rogers Park in The Windy City ) or for his critically-praised performance as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright and Mayor Thomas Sapsea in the 2018 Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago revival of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Whodunit "The Mystery of Edwin Drood,," for which Darryl Maximilian Robinson received a 2019 Broadwayworld Chicago Award nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue staged at the more than a century old St. Bonaventure Church in the West Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

The late, great and beloved Sir Sidney Poitier was born on Feburary 20, 1927 and passed away two years ago on January 6, 2022. Veteran and award-winning stage actor and play director Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( a winner of a 2022 Making The World Happening Award for his numerous online theatre-related offerings at Allevents.in ) encores his on-the-air homage to the Broadway and Hollywood star during his 4th visit to Ron Brewington's "The Actor's Choice" Episode 8.16.

Long-time Chicago and Los Angeles theatre-goers and play practitioners may know of veteran actor and stage director Darryl Maximilian Robinson's work from his more than 15 years as Founder, Artistic Director and Producer of the multiracial non-equity professional chamber theatre The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago ( 1987-2001), and his numerous Youtube channel video presentations of classic play speeches recorded throughout the Greater Los Angeles area at notable and historic sites as part of his theatre video events company The Excaliber ShakespeareCompany Los Angeles Archival Project ( which has been documenting and recording his work on the west coast since 2016 ).

Mr. Robinson would be the last of three guests to appear ( which also included veteran Hollywood tv producer and sit-com show script writer Lloyd J. Schwartz, noted for his work on "The Brady Bunch" and "Guilligan's Island", as well as for his many successes as an LA playwright; and creative process-focused film, television and stage experienced actress Laura Liguori ) and Mr. Robinson was aware ( due to Covid-19 precautions ) that he would be the only participant on the set of the show, as the other guests, as well as esteemed Host Ron Brewington would take part in the show via ZOOM.

Darryl Maximilian Robinson began his portion of 'The Actor's Choice' by evoking a few bars of the song '76 Trombones' from Meredith Willson's 'The Music Man' and noted that 2022 marked the 60th anniversary of the film version of the Broadway classic ( with stars Robert Preston as Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo ) and noted the movie was shot on location at Warner Bros. Studios ( only a stone's throw away from the doors of UBNGO). At the time, Mr. Robinson had been cast as Mayor George Shinn in a local revival of the famed musical.

But the real reason why Darryl Maximilian Robinson was present for the Monday April 18, 2022 edition of 'The Actor's Choice' was so that he might have an opportunity to discuss the passing and many artistic and humanitarian contributions of the late, great Hollywood screen and Broadway stage legend Sir Sidney Poitier. And Mr. Robinson was thrilled that Host Ron Brewington gave him a most excellent forum to do just that. Sir Sidney Poitier has left a great legacy for all Americans, but especially for those involved in the arts!

Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

https://m.peliplat.com/en/library/celeb/pc31670668/Darryl-Maximilian-Robinson

Note: April 2022 Dress Rehearsal Photos of Darryl Maximilian Robinson as Mayor George Shinn in Meredith Willson's 'The Music Man' at Fremont Center Theatre by Eric Michael Hernandez. Costume Design by Tamarah Ashton.