Dirty Laundry alumnus gets GREAT PRESS in 2010

In 2008, Director, Producer and Actor Maurice Jamal released the independent award winning movie Dirty Laundry. A modern-day prodigal son story with a twist follows Patrick, a magazine writer, who seems to have the "perfect life," until one day and there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he hasn't seen in over 10 years.


Actors, Aaron Shaw who played Gabriel, Erica Watson as Clarine and Loretta Devine, Evelyn, the monarch of the family have continued to receive great press in 2010.



AARON SHAW makes his debut in the critically acclaimed and 20th Season of NBC’s TV Drama “Law & Order,” Boy on Fire Episode Air Date, 10pm EST, Monday, March 8th.

When a 16-year-old student's burning body is found, Lupo and Bernard question his young mentee, who was the last person to see him alive; the investigation draws attention to a vicious high-school rivalry. Cast includes: S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston, Alana de la Garza, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache, Anthony Anderson and new comer Noel Rodrigurez.

Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf. The Emmy Award winning show premiered on September 13, 1990, and is currently in its twentieth season, which began airing on September 25, 2009 on NBC. Law & Order is currently the longest running crime drama on American prime time television and is tied for longest running drama with Gunsmoke. It was renewed for a 21st season and will become the longest running American prime time television scripted drama.

Aaron first drew national attention with his starring role as Gabriel opposite fellow actors, Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine and Jenifer Lewis in “Dirty Laundry”. Several commercials and smaller roles later, he landed the role on of Oliver on HBO’s Original Series “In Treatment” as a second season regular in 2009.

Watch your skinny backs Sandra Bernhard, Margaret Cho and John Leguizamo --ERICA WATSON is coming to claim her crown as Queen of the theater/standup hybrid show with the New York Premiere of FAT BITCH! After workshops in NYC and Chicago, this new solo show written and performed by Watson runs February 11- 25, 2010 at The Laurie Beechman Theater.


FAT BITCH! is a funny, provocative glimpse at the American “fat and sassy” black woman stereotype. Plus-sized performer Erica Watson explores society’s obsession with weight, race and class and how black women’s bodies have always been subjected to both admiration and ridicule. Drawing upon iconic images including “Mammy” and “Hottentot Venus,” Watson illustrates how media images have impacted her self-esteem as she touches on PETA’s “Save the Whales” campaign aimed at overweight women, the “war on obesity,” and the controversy surrounding President Obama’s nomination of a plus-sized black woman for Surgeon General.

Born and raised in Chicago, Erica Watson is an actor, stand-up comedian, and film/television director. Currently, she can be seen in the Oprah Winfrey/Lee Daniels film Precious. She has also starred in the feature film Dirty Laundry. Watson is currently featured in two Gracie Award-winning commercials for the Oxygen Network called "Tresstify" and "Kiss & Tell,” as well as the March Madness Comedy special on MSG-TV. She has appeared on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," and was a commentator and pundit for five BET specials including “Top 12 BET Award Show Moments,” “Countdown to 2009: BET Year in Review,” “The Evolution of Mary J. Blige,” and “The Evolution of Jay-Z”. Additionally, Watson is a recurring politics and pop culture panelist on the BETJ talk show "My Two Cents,” director of the reality TV Series "My Model Looks Better Than Your Model" on the BETJ Network and a blogger for the Huffington Post.

FAT BITCH! runs February 11- 25, Thursdays at 7:00pm. The Laurie Beechman Theater is located inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 47th Street -- at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street. Tickets are $15, plus $15 food/drink minimum, available at 212-352-3101 or www.SpinCycleNYC.com.


Award winning actress LORETTA DEVINE stars in Don B. Welch’s hit gospel stage play, “Hallelujah Mahalia (HM).” Ms. Devine joins recording artist and gospel sensation Tamika Patton. Ms.Patton, who has been starring in Hallelujah Mahalia since the mid 1990’s, cris-crossing the country in the lead role told the Philadelphia Tribune, “Her life (Mahalia’s) is so similar to mine in many different ways. It just seemed like she was always striving to get that message of love and peace and gospel in any way that she could, and it was in her own unique way”.

The production also stars Barry Lyons, pastor of The Living Waters of The San Fernando Valley Church in the role of Thomas A. Dorsey, (known as the “Godfather of Gospel) and legendary musical director, Rev. Alexander Hamilton. HM also stars: Contrella Patrick Henry, Kim Yarbrough, Charmaine Charles, Nei-Ce Knight Pruiett, Lisa C. Thompson, Delores Lakey Stewart & Andrea Jones.

“HM pays tribute to the music and legacy of America’s greatest gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson. Welch’s stage play chronicles the life and music of Jackson, from her humble beginnings in Chicago to her untimely death in 1972. Audiences can expect to hear all of the Mahalia classics such as: “Move On Up A Higher”, “How I Got Over”, “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”, “Precious Lord”, & “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen” among others. Along with little-known historical facts like it has been rumored that Mahalia sat with The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King the night before, as he pondered which of the two speeches he had prepared to give on the March of Washington the next day. “Give ‘em the I have A Dream speech Martin! That’ll stir them up”.

“Hallelujah Mahalia” premieres Saturday, February 27, 2009 5:00 p.m. and The Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, Ca.