As part of Lenfest’s 35th anniversary celebration “In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat” the one-man show created and performed by acclaimed actor, playwright and director Roger Guenveur Smith explores his friendship with the legendary 20th-century artist.
On Monday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Keller Theatre, Guenveur Smith will weave personal stories and historical narratives with spontaneous moments that bring Basquiat’s life and legacy to the stage.
The production blends live sound design by composer and Obie Award winner Marc Anthony Thompson with a hypnotic monologue to create a deeply intimate lyrical elegy rather than a traditional historical biography. Presented in association with Luna Entertainment, this marks Thompson’s 18th musical piece he has worked on with Guenveur Smith. Pre-show music is from Basquiat’s musical collection.
On Sept. 28, prior to the evening performance, Guenveur Smith will meet with Elliott King’s “Art Since 1945” class for a special masterclass, providing students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with Smith and explore his personal connection to Jean-Michel Basquiat, as well as the artistic and cultural legacy of Basquiat’s work.
In addition to his tribute to Basquiat, Guenveur Smith is best known for his frequent collaborations with Spike Lee, appearing in more than 10 of Lee’s films. He is currently performing “In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat” Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop.
Basquiat and Guenveur Smith became acquainted in Los Angeles, where at the time Guenveur Smith rapped under the stage name “Hollywatts” in the vibrant Los Angeles 1980s club scene. As time went on, their work influenced each other, with Basquiat incorporating words and ideas from Smith’s political pieces into his paintings. Guenveur Smith followed suit by creating a character —“Smiley”— the artist/arsonist for Spike Lee’s classic “Do the Right Thing,” inspired by Basquiat’s spirit and character.
While Guenveur Smith was developing that Basquiat-inspired “Smiley,” Basquiat died in Manhattan. Almost four decades later, this sparked the beautifully intimate, raw and resonant performance that Guenveur Smith brings to the Lenfest stage.
Basquiat, an American artist with Haitian and Puerto Rican roots, is often hailed as one of the most influential American artists, whose work revolved around “suggestive dichotomies” such as wealth versus poverty and integration versus segregation. He is widely considered to be the creator of the neo-expressionism movement.
Tickets are required and can be purchased at https://my.wlu. edu/lenfest-center/in-honor-ofjean- michel-basquiat. Tickets are $28 for the general public, $25 for seniors and $20 for W&L faculty and staff. W&L students are admitted free with an ID; all other students pay $8.
Patrons are encouraged to secure their reservations as early as possible. The event is sponsored in part by the Class of ’64 Performing Arts Fund.
ROGER GUENVEUR SMITH
