BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Join the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) March 4-7, 2021, for the debut of the original play Let the Good Times Rolle: The Life and Legacy of Esther Rolle at 100. Held in celebration of Women’s History Month and as tribute to the many talents of Emmy Award-winning actor and Pompano Beach native Esther Rolle, this special drive-in, outdoor performance will be held at AARLCC, located at 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282.
Born November 8, 1920, Rolle excelled on stage and screen and is best known for her role as matriarch Florida Evans on the 1970s sitcom Good Times. Commissioned by the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Let the Good Times Rolle is directed Keith C. Wade, theatre professor at Florida Memorial University. Darius V. Daughtry, writer and founder/director of Art Prevails Project, is the assistant director of the play, which was written by playwrights Sarahca Peterson, founder of The Round Table Project, and Monique Williams, published author and performance poet.
Let the Good Times Rolle is made possible through the generous support of an Art of Community grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Broward. The objective of the Art of Community grant is to bring the arts to Broward neighborhoods to ignite creativity and local pride. Support has been provided by the following funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Edward Hashek and John Jors Charitable Fund, A Fund for the Performing Arts, John D. Ryan Fund, Linda and Michael Carter Fund, and Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fun. Additional support provided by the Broward Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), Bank of America and Broward County Cultural Division.
The play will run with three evening shows, March 4th, 5th, and 6th, which begin at 7PM, and one matinee on Sunday, March 7th at 4PM. Let the Good Times Rolle is part biography, part local history and all things Esther! Portraying Esther at varying stages of her life are Ms. Christian Demerrit as Esther, Ms. Sheena O' Murray as Lady, Ms. Chasity Hart as Madame and Miss. Sumaiyah E. Wade as Lil Girl.
This socially distanced drive-in event is free, but a $10 donation per car is requested. Donations support the Friends of African American Research Library and Cultural Center, and can be made in advance via Eventbrite.
This event is first-come, first-park, so arrive early to get the best parking spot view of the stage! Local food trucks will be on-premise providing refreshments for sale.
To learn more about developments with this project, follow @RollewithAARLCC on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or contact AARLCC Regional Manager Makiba Foster at mjfoster@broward.org or 954-357-6176.
About Broward County Libraries Division
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 7.5 million walk-in customers visiting its 38 locations annually. Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.
DATE: February 9, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath
Libraries Division
PHONE: 954-357-7402
EMAIL: cmcelrath@Broward.org