LOS ANGELES, CA – April 9, 2014 – Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK), the performance space at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, is pleased to present multi-talented French actress Clémentine Célarié in the U.S. Premiere of Dans la Peau d’un Noir (Black Like Me) on Wednesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 15, 2014. The one-woman show is based on American journalist John Howard Griffin’s 1961 book, Black Like Me, adapted by Célarié into a live performance. Célarié will portray an African-American man in the production that promotes tolerance and humanism. The performance starts at 7:30pm and will take place at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90064 (310-286-0553). A no host bar will be available. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 and can be purchased here. The event is supported by the French-American Cultural Society (FACS). See more on TRK’s event page here. For information about Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, please visit www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com.

“I’ve always wondered about the impact of skin color in the relations between human beings,” says Célarié, “This show depicts the adventure of the man I incarnate, white and black… with courage and humanity. His testimony is a universal cry of alarm and, at the same time, a call to respect the other and their differences.”

With graceful simplicity, while alone on stage with minimal props, Célarié transforms into dozens of characters. Her adaptation of Black Like Me raises the question: Have things really changed all that much since the volatile 1960s? Célarié, who was born and raised in Dakar in sub-Saharan Africa, lived in the region for twelve years. She says she feels African – more black than white. Her son, songwriter-beat boxer Abraham Diallo, collaborated with Célarié on the production. Together, they share the directing duties. Diallo is also the sound engineer.

For his book, Griffin, a white journalist in the 1950s who sought to understand the condition of being black in America, was made up to look African American before setting out to experience life in the racially segregated South for a six-week journey. His journals from those travels are the basis for the book, Black Like Me, which the play is based on. At the time of its writing (1959), race relations were particularly strained in the United States.

Clémentine Célarié –
With over 40 films to her credit, Clémentine Célarié (born 1957) is a well-known actress in French cinema and television. Also a writer and singer, she was born (as Myriem Célarié) in Dakar, Senegal. She is perhaps best known for her performances in the films Betty Blue (1986), Lawless Heart (2001), Nocturne Indien (1989), and Les Miserables (1995). A French household name, Célarié’s television appearances include La Femme D’un Seul Homme (1998), Objectif Bac (2001), La Tribu de Zoe (2000), Les Enfants du Jour (1999), and Les Coquelicots Sont Revenus (1999). She is also well-known for her adventurous stage performances, including the hugely successful Madame Sans-Gene (2000) production at Théâtre Antoine in Paris. She has been nominated twice for Supporting Actress French César Awards (for Nocturne Indien and Betty Blue). She was also nominated for the 2002 Molière de la Comédie (Molière Awards), a prestigious theatre honor in France, and won the 2011 Best Actress Award for her television role in J’ai Peur d’Oublier at the Festival de la Rochelle. Early in her career, Célarié also hosted a Radio France: Radio 7 program. She is also very interested in music and sang on the single, “Tengo Nada,” by Charles Schillings (2002), and released an album, No Soul of a Lady (1996). In 2006, she released the album Family Groove, on which she sang with her three sons, Abraham, Gustave, and Balthazar.  She lives in Aix-en-Provence.

Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz –
Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK) is a non-profit institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in the West Los Angeles area. This 220-seat theater welcomes multidisciplinary and multicultural shows. TRK’s mission is to be an open window on French and international cultures and to inspire and sustain a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Links –
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz – http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz Event Page – http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com/2013/04/14/clementine-celarie-performs-dans-la-peau-dun-noir-black-like-me
• Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Raymond- Kabbaz/43864706321
• Facebook Event Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/1389772431296974

For more information, photos, to schedule an interview, or to request complimentary tickets, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.