Phipps presents a Li'l more

A few days ago, I wrote about an impressive trio of performers at WOW Café Theatre, including a young woman who calls herself Li'l T. Under her other name, LaTonia Phipps, she presents her own show, Fishing in Brooklyn, tonight at Manhattans's LGBT Center.

This solo spoken word/movement piece--accompanied by drummer Arthur Toombs, Jr.--is inspired by people who have touched Phipps's life, most notably, her mom who died of cancer when Phipps was only 10. Just an hour but, even so, incredibly speedy, Fishing in Brooklyn guides us on a geographical, cultural and emotional journey with major stops along the Black/Afro-Latino diaspora. With physical bravado that belies her willowly frame and strong skills in mimicry, Phipps easily transforms herself into numerous characters in the adventurous life of one young "Tia Lite." Not only a nimble playwright and performer, she is a force of nature, and one can readily see the determination and commitment with which she survived early loss to become a multi-talented artist.

Fishing in Brooklyn
Directed by Libya Pugh and choreographed by Anthony Wills Jr.

Tonight at The Center, 208 West 13th Street (between 7th and Greenwich Avenues), Manhattan, 212-620-7310

Tickets