Topically Yours - Johnnie Mae & Reginald L. Wilson

Host Deardra Shuler talks with Johnnie Mae and Reginald L. Wilson regarding their appearance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, a play written by August Wilson and directed by Eugene Nesmith, running June 14-July 8th at Aaron Davis Hall New Haarlem Arts Theatre, located on 135th Street and Convent Ave., NYC.  Ms. Mae is best known for her HBO role as Louanne, the notorious maid in "Boardwalk Empire."  Johnnie Mae won an AUDELCO Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Why Old Ladies Cry at Weddings" and "What Would Jesus Do?"  She shared the OOBR Award for Best Ensemble Cast for "Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery."  She appeared in the New Harlem Arts Theatre production of "Blues for Mister Charlie," and "Dream Deferred" at the 133rd St. Arts Center.  TV credits include: The Big C, 30 Rock, Louie and Law and Order.

Reginald L. Wilson received his MFA in Theatre from the University of Florida and his undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University. He interned under Theatre denizen Woodie King, Jr.  His performances include: "Black Angels Over Tuskegee," "Twisted," "Blues for Mister Charlie," and "The Meeting."  Wilson has done commercial work, industrials and music videos, including Gloria Gaynor's  30 year revival video "I will Survive." He portrayed Bobby Brown in Celebrity Close Calls.  His credits at FAMU and UF include "A Soldier's Play, Dearly Departed, Zooman and the Sign, Lysistrata, Media, Jitney, Home, Gem of the Ocean and Glengarry Glen Ross. He's an acting teacher/speech coach at the City College of NY.  For tixs: call 212-868-4444/www.smarttix.com