Crossroads Theatre Company will honor the late Cicely Tyson in a virtual gala fundraiser, May 20.
Cicely Tyson, the Oscar-, Tony- and Emmy-winning actress who died in January, will be honored in “A Night With Crossroads,” a virtual fundraising gala for the New Brunswick-based Crossroads Theatre Company. And her godson, Lenny Kravitz, will be among the participants.
Actress Anika Noni Rose will host the ceremony and other participants will include TV personality Al Roker (a cousin of Kravitz), and actors Blair Underwood and Regina Taylor. Blues musician Guy Davis and students at the the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of the Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange will perform.
Also, the Johnson & Johnson healthcare company will receive Crossroads’ Champion of the Arts Award.
MARK SELIGER
LENNY KRAVITZ
“A Night With Crossroads” will stream at 7 p.m. May 20. Visit crossroadstheatrecompany.org.
In conjunction with the gala, there is an online auction at biddingforgood.com.
In a press release, Kravitz, the son of actress Roxie Roker, called Tyson “a true pioneer, who bared her heart and soul so we could witness the spirit of the characters she so brilliantly portrayed, which continue to move and inspire generations. A Black queen who showed us how beautiful Black is.
“The love between us was and is tremendous. … She and my mother were kindred spirits. Sisters.”
Denzel Washington, who received Crossroads’ first Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee Living Legends Award in 2019, said: “Like many of us, I was immediately struck by the power, prowess and perfection of Cicely Tyson as an actress, activist and advocate for Black theatre and entertainment on the small and large screen.
“Her dignity, grace, flawless and unapologetic portrayals of strong Black women are forever the immortal legacy we all are inspired and fueled by.”
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