"Fragile Explosion: Nina Simone" is a world premiere production by Passing the Torch Through the Arts.
Nina Simone, known as The High Priestess of Soul, was a pop star and celebrity in the 1960s. Her career was up-ended because of her key role in the Civil Rights movement. “Fragile Explosion” follows Simone from her beginnings in North Carolina to international stardom, through successes and personal failures, and through her struggle with and triumph over mental illness.
Written by Michael Monasterial, directed by Richard Rizzo, with musical direction by Harvey Kaiser, Fragile Explosion will be shown Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Rosendale Theater in Rosendale, New York (845-658-8989 or 845-901-6820 for reservations) and will have a special showing for the Kingston community on Friday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Library in Kingston, New York (914-388-3092 for information and reservations for this event only).
We are joined this morning by playwright, performer, and Artistic Director and Founder of Passing the Torch Through the Arts, Michael Monasterial; director Richard Rizzo, and performer Evelyn Clarke.
