The Legacy of Dick Gregory: Get To Know The Man Who Inspired TURN ME LOOSE!
Tonight’s the night: Turn Me Loose is officially opening Off-Broadway! Do yourself a favor, and get to the Westside Theatre to see this masterful work presented by award-winning musician John Legend and Get Lifted Film Co. In the words of Sandy Kenyon (WABC-TV NEWS), it’s “better than almost anything you can see in any theater!”
Photo: Monique Carboni
Papa Pope himself, Emmy-winner and Tony Award® nominee Joe Morton (of ABC’s Scandal), delivers an unforgettable performance as comic genius and Civil Rights activist Dick Gregory.
So in honor of this fantastic new play, we’re talking about the man who inspired it. Here are five things you need to know about the one and only, Dick Gregory:
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1. He is one of President Barack Obama’s favorite comedians.
President Obama shared his love for the comedian on the podcast WTF with Marc Maron last year.
2. He ran for president in 1968.
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Gregory ran as a write-in candidate of the Freedom and Peace Party.
“If democracy is such a good thing, let’s have more of it.” – Dick Gregory
3. He paved the way for comedians like Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, and Eddie Murphy.
Dick was one of the first successful Black comedians in America to talk about race and perform for white audiences.
“Dick was the greatest, and he was the first. Somebody had to break down that door. He was the one.” – Richard Pryor
4. He marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers.
Photo via TheVitaminQ
He has spent his life fighting for Civil Rights. Along with his wife Lillian, he has been jailed over 50+ times, and that’s just in Washington, DC.
“Lil and I made an agreement, we promised ourselves that Black folks would always come first.” – Dick Gregory
5. Hugh Hefner gave him his big break.
Photo via DelanceyPlace.com
Hefner booked Gregory at Chicago’s Playboy Club in 1961 as a replacement for white comedian “Professor” Irwin Corey.
“I didn’t realize when I decided to be a comic, that a Black person had never been allowed to stand flat-footed in America and talk to white folks. It never happened before.” – Dick Gregory
Get to know more about Dick Gregory by seeing Turn Me Loose. Now in performances through July 3 only: for tickets and more information, visit TurnMeLoosePlay.com.