Actor Dorien Wilson UnRings the Bell at 2011 National Black Theatre Festival
Winston-Salem, NC – Celebrated actor Dorien Wilson has wowed television audiences for decades. His comedic performances in TV classics like “Dream On,” “Goode Behavior,” “Sister Sister,” and of course, “The Parkers” have garnered him a burgeoning fan base, awards and numerous accolades. However, when the thespian takes the take stage at this year’s 2011 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC, we will see Dorien Wilson like we have never seen him before.
“UnRinging The Bell” is Wilson’s one-man show debut, running at the festival from Tuesday, August 2 through Thursday, August 4, 2011. A special Red Carpet performance and VIP reception will be held on Thursday, August 4 the closing night at 8:00 p.m. A comedic yet poignantly, introspective journey, “Unringing The Bell” reveals Wilson coming to terms with his life .
In the play, we find Wilson seeking therapy amongst a parade of characters, all of whom are dealing with something done to them in their lives. But now they must bury it and move on. Wilson seamlessly portrays not only himself, but a cast of personalities that also include the Dr. Ira Feinstein, a persnickety old man with a European accent; a white supremacist who falls in love with a Black woman, and a homeless man who was once a Hollywood star. Wilson exposes his personal highs and lows in the entertainment business, his ordeal with alcoholism, depression and the passing of his mother. A range of different media is utilized including voice-over, filmed segments, slides and original music.
“Theater is such a wonderful and intimate medium,” expresses Wilson. “This is a refreshing return to my acting roots and an acknowledgment of some powerful life lessons. I’m hoping the audience will become engaged and find the piece as cathartic for them as it was for me in the performing of it.
“The concept of “Unringing The Bell” is that once something happens, the bell is rung. It is done. You can’t undo it, you can’t go back. You have to deal with the truth of it, embrace it and move on. It can be a liberating experience,” adds Wilson
A recipient of the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Wilson’s career spans over 20 years including three series in network television. He first became a household staple as Eddie Charles in HBO’s “Dream On” and then the Reverend Franklin Goode on UPN’s “Goode Behavior.” Wilson also enjoyed recurring roles on “Sister Sister,” “Friends,” and “The Steve Harvey Show.” His role as Professor Oglevee on “The Parkers” however, solidified him as a mainstay in America’s television history
Wilson will be taking his one-man performance, “Unringing The Bell” on the road after its run at the National Black Theatre Festival. For ticket information about “UnRinging The Bell,” go to http://www.nbtf.org/ . You can find Dorien Wilson on Facebook.com and “like” and follow him there.
