SHARI & STACEY The Dawn of a New Era

by Hailey Ashley

We’re all familiar with the most well-known pairs; peanut butter and jelly, Oprah and Gayle, Jack and coke, Timon and Pumba, or the newly famous and utterly beloved, avocado and toast. Although it seems like quite the elite club, it looks like we’ve found another powerhouse pair to add to the list - Shari & Stacey. They compliment each other so well, that the dynamic duo of Stacey Blanchet and Shari Belafonte have come together to form Rowan Moon Productions, which they began in order to establish a diversified media company and create highquality content with engaging experiences that will reach a global audience.

Their relationship began when Stacey and Shari met in 2016, when Stacey was working with Trend Prive magazine on an interview show. With the instant connection between the two of them, they decided to continue with the project on their own and turned it into something different. With countless hours of interviews, and endless information shared between the two, they turned the material into a film, and the interview into a friendship. That is when they created a documentary called ‘In the Know with Shari Belafonte’, which is available on Amazon. It was then that Shari broke the news to Stacey by telling her “Sorry, but you’re a producer”, and they ran with it.

Shari’s documentary is a sit down with the multi-talented star. On the big screen we get to dive into her past as Shari discusses growing up being the daughter of a famous entertainer and human rights leader, how her career in the late 70’s as assistant to the producer comes to life, as well as becoming the second Woman of Color to ever appear on the cover of Vogue Magazine, following Beverly Johnson. She was also the first Woman of Color to ever grace the covers of Self Magazine &Los Angeles Magazine.

Shari has lived a life in the spotlight, as the daughter of Marguerite, a psychologist, and Harry Belafonte, who is a well-known singer and actor. She began an early career as a model, becoming a successful cover girl and starring in commercials for Calvin Klein jeans.

In her early years, she became an assistant to the publicist at Hanna Barbara Productions, and while paying her dues behind the scenes, Shari was “accidentally discovered”, and received several modeling opportunities. As we get to see in her documentary, those opportunities ended up allowing her to appear on the cover of Vogue Magazine 5 times. Currently, she is tied with Rihanna for most Vogue covers as a Person of Color.

The other half of Rowan Moon, Stacey, also has a documentary titled ‘The Journey to Myself’, which she describes as her “unfinished life story”. The documentary takes us on a journey of the life of Stacey Blanchet, who is a

Shari Belafonte

woman of many roles, including fashion designer, publicist, film maker, producer, and daughter.

On the screen, we are inspired by Stacey’s ability to fight for herself and learn to embrace the damages she faced to become the woman she is today. In her own words, Stacey tells us, “I want to be a work in progress until the day I die”, and it is clear that her journey is far from over.

Although both these ladies have extensively successful backgrounds in various entertainment fields, they both wanted more for themselves. Their continuing evolution has taken them on a journey of new partnership, friendship and through the hardships of COVID-19.

We can look forward to a few of their upcoming projects, including the documentary series show, ‘Scions’, hosted by Shari, and co-produced with Texas Crew Productions. The new series explores our celebrity obsessed culture by focusing on people born into the limelight, the children of the super famous, and their firsthand stories of growing up in their celebrity parent’s shadow while they attempt to make a career - and a life - of their own.

Additionally, we can look forward to what seems to be a laugh out loud series titled ‘Chix on the Links’, described as “comedians in golf carts drinking vodka”. It’s a project that’s close to Shari’s heart, and she tells us “If you don’t play golf, you assume it’s boring, but it’s actually really funny”. On this series, we can look forward to seeing that golf doesn’t discriminate. With guest appearances from stars ranging from Martin Sheen all the way to rapper Shwayze, we see the extreme, and hilarious, world of golf in a different light.

As they look towards the future, their goal is simple - to put out good content. The task of doing this may be simple to understand, but it’s no easy feat. When discussing how a company can get a project going in the right direction, Stacey let us know “It is important when shopping your projects, you have the following (Deck, Top Sheet and budget). If you partner with another production company, you will need a deal memo between the two companies. Where your project lands will determine how correct your budget is. There is a process to getting your foot in the door and you must understand and respect it.”

When we asked her for some advice for those working on a project of their own regarding how they would be able to get financing and distribution for their projects, Stacey states, “These two questions are the most important questions to anyone in any business. If you get outside financing prepare to lose control of your project. If you finance yourself, you must know about distribution houses and/or sales agents and how they work. Should you go down the road of filming and distributing yourself, ask yourself, how will people see my project? You better have a big budget for that. Ultimately this always comes down to walking through the entire project.”

Shari added, “Having a toe in the door helps, but get used to the idea that it may take months, even years, to get everything up and running. So, be prepared. Distribution is key, but you also must be flexible. And be tenacious, or at least have a tenacious partner”, she laughs.

When we asked for Stacey’s thoughts on partnering with the right connections, she lets us in on her secret by giving us some sound advice, “Your connections are solely based on you and the kind of person you are. If you are genuine with people and treat them with respect you will get the same in return. Everyone can always spot someone who is out for themselves. You will find that you will create your connections and hold on tight if they are people you can trust.”

At Rowan Moon Productions, it seems that Stacey and Shari are creating a new experience in their field where there is no discrimination, and anyone with an interesting story is getting the opportunity to share in their success. People with content from all walks of life, different backgrounds, ages, races and religions are welcome. With that, these top-notch professionals seem to be creating an entirely new lane in a field that can tend to be an old, one way road, and we’ can’t help but jump on for the ride.

You can find out more information, or get in contact with Rowan Moon Productions through their website www.rowanmoonproductions.com.

EBONY REPERTORY Theatre (ERT) announces full cast and creative team for BLUES IN THE NIGHT, the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated musical conceived by Sheldon Epps. Presented by Ebony Rep, in association with International City Theatre, ERT’s Founder and Producing Artistic Director Wren T. Brown (ERT’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill) directs this powerful and soulful blues celebration. Featuring choreography by Keith Young (ERT’s Five Guys Named Moe and The Gospel at Colonus) and music direction by William Foster McDaniel (Bubbling Brown Sugar, Timbuktu! and Ainʼt Misbehavinʼ, the limited engagement will play at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles. Performances will run November 12, 2021 – December 5, 2021, with the official opening on Saturday, November 13 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at EbonyRep.org.

This luminary cast of four stars two-time Tony Awardwinner Vivian Reed (Broadway’s Bubbling Brown Sugar, The High Rollers Social and Pleasure Club) as The Lady from the Road, also starring Clinton Derricks-Carroll(Broadway’s Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, Dreamgirls, West End’s Five Guys Named Moe) as The Man in the Saloon, Ovation Award-winner Karole Foreman (ERT’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, A Little Night Music), and Jenna Gillespie Byrd (Recorded in Hollywood at the Kirk Douglas Theatre) as The Girl with a Date. Set in 1948 in a Chicago hotel that has seen better days, the interwoven stories of BLUES IN THE NIGHT evoke the misery and humor of life, love and the dogged determination to do more than just survive. The drama reveals itself through glorious songs by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Alberta Hunter, Harold Arlen, Jimmy Cox, Ida Cox and more. “I am truly excited to bring Blues in the Night to our theatrical home, the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. Our committed audience and our surrounding community extended great support to us during the shutdown, and we cannot wait to place the gem that is Blues in the Night, conceived by my beloved friend and colleague Sheldon Epps, into a setting that allows it to shine most brightly,” said Director and ERT Producing Artistic Director, Wren T. Brown. “When I first saw the show 30 years ago at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, it absolutely knocked me out and has stayed with me from that day to this. Additionally, I feel greatly fortunate to have assembled this extraordinary group of actors, designers, and musicians to come together in a work that examines and celebrates the joy and pain of the human condition. Through stories both dramatic and humorous, through dance, and with some of the most extraordinary music of the 20th century, Blues in the Night will send you home with tickled funny bones, touched hearts, and unbridled joy during a very blue time.” "I am thrilled that Ebony Repertory Theatre will be singing the Blues later this year,” said Blues in the Night creator,

Sheldon Epps. “I have complete faith and confidence in my dear friend and colleague Wren who has put together a superlative cast and creative team. This show is very dear to me, and I am happy to have it back in my hometown once again. I know that these wonderful performers will deliver this classic material with heart, passion, good humor and theatrical pizzazz that will rock the house at every performance." Brown and Epps have collaborated on productions including the awardwinning musical Crowns starring the late Paula Kelly and Clinton Derricks-Carroll at ERT’s Nate Holden Performing Arts Center and the Pasadena Playhouse in 2009. In addition to Brown, Young and McDaniel, the creative team for BLUES IN THE NIGHT includes scenic designer Edward E. Haynes, costume designer Kim DeShazo, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, sound designer John Feinstein, prop master Patty Briles, hair and wig designer Anthony Gagliardi, casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richard Ferris, CSA, and production stage manager Michele Miner.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT, conceived by Sheldon Epps, had its world premiere Off-Broadway in 1980 at Playhouse 46, and was originally staged by Epps and Gregory Hines. In 1982, the production had its Broadway run at the Rialto Theatre and was directed by Epps and starred Leslie Uggams. The production received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical. In 1987, BLUES IN THE NIGHT opened on the West End at the Donmar, where it received two Olivier Award nominations for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a musical.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT plays November 12 – December 5, 2021, with the official press opening on Saturday, November 13 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles. One preview performance is scheduled for Friday, November 12 at 8:00 pm. All preview tickets are $25.00. The regular performance schedule is Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm; and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Regular tickets range from $40.00 - $50.00 and are available online at ebonyrep.org or by phone at 323-964-9766. Groups of 15 or more are available via email at groups@ebonyrep. org or 323-964-9766. VIVIAN REED (The Lady from the Road) Awards include two Tony Award Nominations, Drama Desk, Mabel Mercer, NAACP, Dance Educators of America, Outer Critics Circle and Audelco Pioneer Award. She has created four one-woman shows and performed in major theaters and clubs around the world. She taught voice and performance at Berklee College of Music and is presently on the voice faculty at Marymount Manhattan College in the theater department. www.vivianreed.com

CLINTON DERRICKS-CARROLL (The Man in the Saloon). Broadway: I Have a Dream, Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, Dreamgirls, and But Never Jam Today. TV: Sanford, Highway to Heaven, The Steve Harvey Show, Sliders, Any Day Now, Hill Street Blues, and Wally Brown. Film: The Ambush Murders, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, and The Sky is Gray. West End: Five Guys Named Moe, Time, Miss Saigon, and Grand Hotel. Trained with Michael Shurtleff, David LeGrant, and Joan Darling. Author of Buy Golly!: A History of Black Collectables.

KAROLE FOREMAN (The Woman of the World) is thrilled to return to the Ebony Rep after her last appearance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She won an Ovation Award for her performance as the legendary singer. karoleforeman.com

JENNA GILLESPIE BYRD (The Girl with a Date) is honored to join the Blues cast again! An Oxnard, CA native, she graduated with a B.A. in Drama from UC Irvine. CW Winner of 2020 Christmas Caroler Challenge (Singer) Spiritualized The Band (Colbert Show), BAZ: Tour de Force (Vegas), Ovation Nominated:Recorded in Hollywood (Kirk Douglas Theater), Disney’s Frozen Live & Five and Dime, Title Of Show (Assistant Music Director). Music Composer of Debbie Gibson Int. Tour (Keys/Voc.), Original Web-Series Crazy with a K(Composer), The Sugarplums Spotify Album (Arranger). Jenna is also a singer-songwriter! Follow her Instagram @jbyrd_radio for more!

WREN T. BROWN (Director). This fourth generation Angeleno, is an Actor, Producer and Director. Wren is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of the awardwinning, Ebony Repertory Theatre, Los Angeles’ first and only African American professional theatre company.

KEITH YOUNG (Choreographer). For Ebony Repertory Theatre, Keith Young directed and choreographed the Ovation Awardwinning musical Five Guys Named Moe. As a choreographer for ERT, his credits include the critically acclaimed productions of The Gospel at Colonus, Phillip Hayes Dean’s Robeson, and Crowns. Film credits include Gone with The Bullets, Rent, The Smurfs Movie, It’s Complicated, The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give, What Women Want, Dark Streets, Rat Race, Affair of The Necklace and Parent Trap.

WILLIAM FOSTER McDANIEL (Musical Director, Conductor, Pianist) earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Capital University (Columbus, Ohio) and Master of Music degree from Boston University. He has studied as a Fulbright Scholar in Paris, France. His works have been performed by the Yonkers Civic Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Symphony of New York, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Philharmonia of Greensboro, the Bergen Philharmonic, the United States Army Band Brass Quintet, the Antara Ensemble, the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, the Mozart Society Orchestra at Harvard University and the BBC Concert Orchestra in London.