David Heron and cast celebrate successful American premiere of Alwin Bully’s “McBee”

The American premiere of Alwin Bully’s play “McBee” was met with resounding success at The Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) on Sunday, June 23.

The play, produced and directed by Broadway World Award winner David Heron, was presented as a one-night-only staged reading in tribute to the late playwright and as part of New York City’s annual Caribbean American Heritage Month festivities.

A large, enthusiastic audience filled JPAC, giving the cast a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. The star-studded roster included Amazon Prime’s “Harlem” star Luke Forbes and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” actress Denise Hunt, alongside Jerry Benzwick, Lincoln Brown, Dianne Dixon, Emilio Evans, Gerard Joseph, Miranda Melhado, Mitzie Pratt, and James Duke Walker.

Heron, who won the 2023 Broadway World Award for Best Supporting Performer for his role in “The Tempest” at The Colonial Theatre of Rhode Island, joined the cast as a last-minute replacement. The performance was preceded by a Caribbean Cuisine Reception in collaboration with Golden Krust Restaurant, and free tea sampling by sponsors Kendel Instant Ginger Teas.

Anita Bully, the widow of playwright Alwin Bully, officially welcomed the audience with a brief onstage address, accompanied by their son Brent. She emphasized that “McBee” was not just an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” but an extension, aiming to give the story a Caribbean immediacy while maintaining its original intent.

Anita also spoke about the recently formed Alwin Bully Foundation, which will continue his vision of providing training for promising young people in the visual and performing arts.

Heron shared his personal experience of being mentored by Bully, noting that his first two plays, “Ecstasy” and “Intermission,” were developed under Bully’s guidance. He credited much of his early success as a playwright to Bully’s vision and mentorship.

“McBee” tells the story of Caribbean political power couple Allan and Alice McBee (Luke Forbes and Denise Hunt). When Allan shares a mysterious prophecy from three Rastafarians that he is destined to become the nation’s Prime Minister, the couple forges a bloody plan to make it a reality, leading to explosive consequences for themselves and their country.

Heron expressed hope that the successful premiere would lead to a fully mounted production, saying, “There is simply nothing else out there quite like it, and it deserves to be seen as far and wide as possible.”

- Advertisement -

The premiere event was also sponsored by The True Tribute Organization, IMC Media, and Results Promo and Marketing.