MUSIC ICON NONA HENDRYX AND ACCLAIMED WRITER/DIRECTOR CHARLES RANDOLPH-WRIGHT PRODUCE CONCERT VERSION OF “SKINDIVER,” A MULTIMEDIA MUSICAL AT JOE’S PUB IN NEW YORK CITY ON OCTOBER 1

“SkinDiver” is a rock musical that combines music with elements from films such as “The Matrix,” “Blade Runner” and “The DaVinci Code.” Science fiction has now become science fact in this story of the merging of humans and machines. The lead character, Makeeda, goes to MIT, graduates with honors and is invited into a futuristic think tank where she and her boyfriend T.C., also a scientist, write the ultimate code. Makeeda uses her beauty, sensuality and intellect to become a phenomenon on her vastly popular and innovative website. She soon gains international acclaim, earning the moniker “the Oprah of the Internet.” Unfortunately, that acclamation leads to murder.

Well-known for her role in the groundbreaking R&B group Labelle, Hendryx produced and wrote all of the music and lyrics for “SkinDiver” – including seven new songs. She teamed up with partner, Charles Randolph-Wright who co-wrote the book with Hendryx and he directs the cyber musical. Joseph Baker serves as musical director. Joining Hendryx in this version of the musical production will be Lola Diaz as Makeeda (currently in the TV show “DAMAGES” starring Glenn Close), Peter Jay Fernandez as Makeeda’s father (JELLY’S LAST JAM, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, HENRY IV starring Kevin Kline and JULIUS CAESAR starring Denzel Washington); and Andy Señor, Jr. (professional debut as the cross dresser Angel in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical RENT on Broadway and in national and international tours) as T.C.

“’SkinDiver’ is a new beginning for me continuing my exploration of multimedia theater with my partner Charles R. Wright,” comments Hendryx. “’SkinDiver’ began as a diary; a topography of my internal life on three records that morphed into a cyber-mystery mixed media musical. Seeking to create for the ‘new theater’ has been my goal and ‘SkinDiver’ feels like the perfect vehicle.”

The team of Hendryx and Randolph-Wright previously collaborated on the successful musical, BLUE in 2000. The play, written by Randolph-Wright and directed by Sheldon Epps, starred Phylicia Rashad (of popular TV’s THE COSBY SHOW fame) and Michael McElroy as the title character Blue Williams. The musical broke box office records in cities across the country, selling out every performance. Hendryx composed eleven new songs for the production.


About Nona Hendryx:

From her beginnings with Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles (the sweethearts of The Apollo Theater, and then inducted into The Rhythm & Blues Foundations’ Hall of Fame in 1999), to Labelle (a trio made up of Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash) — the groundbreaking glam funk band of the 70s — to a stunning solo career, Nona Hendryx has always been on the cutting edge of music. Her songs are edgy, provocative, political and full of double entendres and empowering messages which enabled the trio to break the traditional girl group mold. Their stage show was the forerunner of the epic productions we expect today and they were the only contemporary black group to take their “Wear Something Silver” show to New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Opera House and to major theatres and Opera Houses across the world. Labelle racked up three gold albums and a number 1 worldwide hit with “Lady Marmalade (Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi Ce Soir?).”

Her solo efforts have been equally challenging. Through albums such as Nona, The Art of Defence, Female Trouble and SkinDiver, she has ranged from heavy metal to funk to new age, with top ten hits including ”Bustin’ Out,” “Keep It Confidential,” “Transformation,” “Why Should I Cry?,” “I Sweat (Goin’ Thru the Motions)” and “Winds of Change,” as well as fruitful collaborations with Material, Prince, Peter Gabriel, Dan Hartman and Talking Heads sandwiched in between.

Over the past few years, Hendryx has worked with many young rappers/poets/hip hop artists (Rahzel, Dead Prez’s M1, and Res’ producers Doc and Khaliyl) and the collaborations can be heard in the film, PREACHING TO THE CHOIR now on DVD.

Hendryx and partner Bobby Banks have established the independent record label, Rhythmbank and current production work and releases include the soundtrack to the Golden Globe-nominated Showtime series, “Sleeper Cell” as well as the forthcoming CD from up-and-coming UK Rock band, Some Velvet Morning.


About Charles Randolph-Wright:

Charles Randolph-Wright has built a dynamic and diversified career in directing, writing, and producing for theatre, television and film. Randolph-Wright is writing and directing the film MAMA I WANT TO SING (based on the legendary stage musical that has played all over the U.S. and internationally) for FOX Faith Films. Randolph-Wright’s directorial film debut, PREACHING TO THE CHOIR swept the feature film prizes at the ninth annual American Black Film Festival and was featured in numerous festivals around the world, including the Pan African Film Fest, Cannes, and London prior to its theatrical release by Codeblack Films.

Randolph-Wright’s screenplay credits include THE EMMETT TILL STORY (Showtime), SHADES OF GREY (HBO), FOOL'S HILL (Walt Disney Pictures), and HOMEWORK with Kim Coles (20th Century Fox). He also co-wrote the screenplay WHITE CHOCOLATE (with John Leguizamo), served as co-producer of the ANGELA DAVIS story (Castle Rock Entertainment).

For television, Randolph-Wright’s credits include directing episodes of the series SOUTH OF NOWHERE currently running on the N Network; producer/writer of the critically acclaimed Showtime series LINC’S; writer/consultant on LUSH LIFE (FOX), and he has directed many commercials and music videos including the international award-winning European “Freestyle” campaign for Nike.

His theatre credits include CUTTIN’ UP (based upon the best selling book by Craig Marberry) and BLUE starring Phylicia Rashad. He has directed the smash hit revival of GUYS AND DOLLS (starring Maurice Hines), Brian Stokes Mitchell in his acclaimed solo show LOVE/LIFE at Lincoln Center, the world premieres of TOUGH TITTY by Oni Faida Lampley, and SENOR DISCRETION HIMSELF (winner of the Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical and last musical written by Frank Loesser). He directed and co-wrote ME AND MRS. JONES (a musical which starred Lou Rawls, and featured the classic R&B music of the Sound of Philadelphia), THE DIVA IS DISMISSED (starring Jenifer Lewis), HOMEWORK (starring Kim Coles) and has collaborated on Bea Arthur’s JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS, which toured internationally, including a Tony nominated run on Broadway, among others. He also has several future stage productions in the works.

As a performer, Randolph-Wright’s credits include Broadway (the original cast of DREAMGIRLS), television (HILL STREET BLUES, MELROSE PLACE), music (a disco group which will remain nameless that nonetheless garnered three gold records), film, numerous shows in theatre, and countless television commercials.

A native of York, South Carolina, Randolph-Wright is an honor graduate of Duke University where he was an A.B. Duke Scholar and a pre-med student. He subsequently studied acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and dance with the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. Randolph-Wright was awarded a grant from the Theatre Communications Group and the Pew Charitable Trusts for a residency at the American Conservatory Theatre. He is an associate artist at Arena Stage and was awarded a grant from the NEA for their production of BLUE. Randolph-Wright serves on the Board of Directors of the Roundabout Theatre, the artistic board at Duke University, and is a founding member of the Wright Family Foundation of South Carolina. Randolph-Wright recently established the workshop series “Different Voices” at the Roundabout and “Create Carolina,” a new arts festival at Winthrop University in South Carolina.


About Joseph Baker (Arranger and Music Director):

Joseph Baker has been involved in music from stage and screen to concert halls over a 25 year illustrious career. In film, he composed the score to the successful documentary MAD HOT BALLROOM. In theatre, Joseph has been working on and around Broadway for over 20 years. Highlights include: BLOOD BROTHERS, THE LIFE, GRAND HOTEL, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE TAP DANCE KID, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CATSKILLS ON BROADWAY, FOOTLOOSE, BELLS ARE RINGING and THE LION KING. He has also done duties as orchestrator and vocal arranger on BUBBLY BLACK GIRL, THE GREEN HEART and FOOTLOOSE. On the concert stage he has performed with such people as Art Garfunkel, Petula Clark, David and Sean Cassidy and Carole King. Other theatre credits include the Sundance Theatre Lab and the Eugene O’Neill Music Theatre Conference. He has recently been working as a record producer on recordings by Jeremy Kushnier (currently in JERSEY BOYS) and Petula Clark. His other “musical life” includes projects in his own midtown studio.