Kingsessing Roadrunners: Empowering Youth Through Affordable Sports and Education

How does the Kingsessing Roadrunners program impact youth in West Philadelphia. What makes this sports program unique in its approach to teamwork and education. Why do parents and coaches praise the organization’s leadership and methods.

The Origins and Evolution of Kingsessing Roadrunners

Established in 1969 by Kevin and Kelvin Bowser, the Kingsessing Roadrunners has become a cornerstone of youth development in West Philadelphia. This low-cost sports program offers a variety of athletic opportunities for boys and girls starting at age eight. What sets the Roadrunners apart from traditional sports leagues? Their focus on teamwork, affordability, and holistic development.

The program currently hosts about 72 children, providing access to football, rugby, basketball, and lacrosse teams. How affordable is it? Membership fees range from as little as $5 per year to $13 per month, making it accessible to families across various economic backgrounds.

Dontae Privette: The Heart and Soul of Kingsessing Roadrunners

At the helm of this impactful organization is Dontae Privette, the executive director of Kingsessing Roadrunners. Privette’s connection to the neighborhood runs deep, having grown up nearby and walked past the Kingsessing Recreation Center daily as a sixth-grade student. How did he become involved with the Roadrunners?

After graduating from Kutztown University with a degree in psychology in 2007, Privette returned to Philadelphia. He discovered the Roadrunners through a group of kids playing football on his block. Initially offering to help out, Privette was immediately thrust into a head coach position. Now, at 30 years old, he is one of the youngest executive directors to oversee the program.

A Day in the Life of Coach Privette

Privette’s dedication to the Roadrunners is evident in his daily routine. He begins his day at 6:00 a.m., working as a technical specialist for Amtrak. After his day job, he heads straight to the Kingsessing Recreation Center at 51st Street and Chester Avenue. There, he oversees practices for the various sports teams, embodying the program’s commitment to teamwork and personal growth.

The Roadrunners Approach: More Than Just Winning Games

What makes the Kingsessing Roadrunners’ philosophy unique in youth sports? Privette explains, “We’re a family, and a lot of it is based on teamwork.” Unlike traditional programs that may hope to teach sportsmanship or teamwork as byproducts, the Roadrunners intentionally force players to work together to achieve outcomes.

This approach has garnered praise from coaches and parents alike. Nick Hunter, a rugby coach at the University of Pennsylvania who volunteers with the Roadrunners, commends Privette’s work ethic and leadership. Jack Smallwood, another Roadrunners rugby coach, notes Privette’s clear expectations for the kids and his ability to motivate them to meet those standards.

Impact on Youth: Beyond the Playing Field

How does participation in the Roadrunners program affect young athletes? Jayson Harris, who began playing football for the Roadrunners in August, shares his experience: “I’m learning how to connect with people and how to be more confident.” This sentiment echoes the program’s goal of developing well-rounded individuals, not just skilled athletes.

The Roadrunners’ influence extends beyond sports, emphasizing the importance of education. Privette consistently reminds his players to stay focused in class, and the organization has implemented a strict policy: if a student is struggling academically, they must complete their homework before participating in athletic activities.

The Roadrunners Student Club

To further support academic achievement, the Roadrunners offer an after-school study program. The Roadrunners Student Club meets at the Kingsessing Recreation Center every Tuesday and Thursday evening. This initiative, led by long-time board chair Charles Parrish, provides a structured environment for athletes to prioritize their studies.

Building Trust and Nurturing Young Minds

Why do parents place such trust in the Roadrunners program? Len Jackson, a parent whose son participates in the Roadrunners, offers insight: “As a father, you’re very, very, very sensitive about who teaches your children. I feel comfortable not even being here, you know? And dropping my son off to practice and trusting Dontae to nurture him.”

This level of trust is a testament to the program’s commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment for youth development. How does Privette build this trust? By setting clear expectations, motivating players to meet them, and consistently demonstrating his dedication to their growth both on and off the field.

The Roadrunners Legacy: A Multi-Generational Impact

What evidence exists of the Roadrunners’ long-lasting impact on the community? The program’s nearly 50-year legacy is reflected in the involvement of original Roadrunners who have returned as coaches. Privette notes, “Players that have played for the Roadrunners are now coaches now.” This continuity speaks volumes about the program’s ability to instill lasting values and a sense of community in its participants.

One striking example of the program’s effectiveness is the story of a quarterback who had never picked up a football prior to joining the Roadrunners. Under the guidance of a coach who was once a Roadrunners quarterback himself, this newcomer went on to lead the team successfully. This cycle of mentorship and growth exemplifies the Roadrunners’ enduring impact on the community.

The Future of Kingsessing Roadrunners: Expanding Horizons

As the Kingsessing Roadrunners approach their 50th anniversary, what does the future hold for this impactful organization? While the program has already made significant strides in providing affordable sports opportunities and academic support, there is potential for further growth and expansion.

Could the Roadrunners model be replicated in other communities? Given its success in West Philadelphia, there may be opportunities to expand the program’s reach or share its methodology with other youth organizations. The combination of affordable sports, emphasis on teamwork, and integration of academic support could serve as a blueprint for holistic youth development programs elsewhere.

Potential Areas for Growth

• Expanding the range of sports offered
• Increasing capacity to serve more children
• Developing partnerships with local schools to enhance academic support
• Creating mentorship programs that connect Roadrunners alumni with current participants
• Exploring opportunities for college scholarships or career guidance for older participants

As the program continues to evolve, its core values of teamwork, affordability, and holistic development will likely remain central to its mission. The Kingsessing Roadrunners’ ability to adapt and grow while maintaining its community-focused approach will be crucial in ensuring its continued success and impact on future generations.

The Broader Impact: Community Development Through Youth Sports

How does a program like the Kingsessing Roadrunners contribute to overall community development? By providing affordable access to sports and emphasizing education, the Roadrunners play a vital role in creating positive opportunities for youth in West Philadelphia. This, in turn, can have ripple effects throughout the community.

Research has shown that participation in organized sports can lead to improved physical health, better academic performance, and the development of important social skills. By making these opportunities available to a diverse range of children, regardless of their economic background, the Roadrunners are helping to level the playing field and provide pathways to success for local youth.

Community Benefits of Youth Sports Programs

1. Reduced juvenile crime rates
2. Improved community cohesion
3. Development of future community leaders
4. Increased physical activity and health awareness
5. Enhanced academic performance and school engagement

Furthermore, the Roadrunners’ emphasis on teamwork and personal growth extends beyond the individual participants. As these young athletes learn to work together, set goals, and overcome challenges, they develop skills that can benefit the broader community. The program’s multi-generational impact, with former players returning as coaches, demonstrates how investing in youth sports can create a cycle of positive community engagement.

Challenges and Opportunities in Youth Sports Programming

While the Kingsessing Roadrunners have achieved remarkable success, what challenges do youth sports programs face in today’s environment? Funding, volunteer recruitment, and balancing competitive sports with inclusive participation are common issues that many organizations must navigate.

The Roadrunners’ low-cost model is admirable, but it also raises questions about long-term sustainability. How can such programs secure consistent funding to maintain and potentially expand their services? Exploring partnerships with local businesses, applying for grants, and developing creative fundraising strategies may be crucial for ensuring the program’s longevity.

Addressing Common Challenges

• Securing sustainable funding sources
• Recruiting and retaining qualified coaches and volunteers
• Maintaining facilities and equipment
• Balancing competitive goals with inclusive participation
• Adapting to changing youth interests and needs

Despite these challenges, the success of the Kingsessing Roadrunners demonstrates the immense value and potential of well-run youth sports programs. By focusing on holistic development, fostering community connections, and prioritizing accessibility, such programs can make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and the communities they serve.

As we look to the future of youth development and community building, programs like the Kingsessing Roadrunners offer valuable lessons and inspiration. Their commitment to teamwork, education, and affordable access to sports provides a model that could be adapted and implemented in communities across the country, potentially transforming the landscape of youth development one neighborhood at a time.

Through Teamwork, Coach Teaches More Than Football To Youth

As a sixth grade student, Dontae Privette walked by the Kingsessing Recreation Center every day to get to school.

“I’ve always just been connected to Kingsessing and this neighborhood,” said Privette, who grew up nearby in West Philadelphia.

Now he’s constantly at the center, where he works as the executive director of the Kingsessing Roadrunners, a low-cost sports program for boys and girls starting at age eight.

“We’re a family, and a lot of it is based on teamwork,” Privette said.

Coaching isn’t his day job: starting at 6:00 a.m., Privette works as a technical specialist for Amtrak. After work, he heads to the recreation center which is located at 51st Street and Chester Avenue.

As the director, he oversees practices for the Roadrunners’ football, rugby, basketball and lacrosse teams.

The Roadrunners, established in 1969 by Kevin and Kelvin Bowser, stands out from other sports leagues. It offers a variety of affordable athletic programs which cost as little as $5 per year and range to $13 per month.

The program, which currently hosts about 72 children, encourages the players to work together rather than focus on winning each game.

“In a traditional program, you’d hope that you’d teach kids sportsmanship or you’d hope that you’d teach them teamwork,” Privette said. “But we’re actually intentional, like we force them to work together to achieve those outcomes.”

At age 30, Privette is one of the youngest executive directors to oversee the program. After graduating from Kutztown University, he returned to Philadelphia in 2007 with a degree in psychology.

Once back in the city, he found out about the Roadrunners through a group of kids playing football on his block.

“I’m like, ‘what team do you guys play for?’ and everybody unanimously said they play for the Roadrunners,” Privette said.

So, he decided to join the program himself.

“I was like ‘OK, I’ll come help out,’” Privette said. “The first day I got there they were like, ‘we need you to be a head coach!’”

Rugby Coach Nick Hunter, who coaches at the University of Pennsylvania and volunteers with the Roadrunners, said working alongside Privette has been a pleasure.

“Dontae’s one of the few people that I met in Philadelphia that works as hard as he does and has a good head on his shoulders,” Hunter said.

Others have also said they enjoy seeing Privette motivating the players.

“He sets his expectations for the kids, they’re very clear, and then he just kind of expects them to meet that bar and if they don’t meet that bar he motivates them to do it,” said Jack Smallwood, another Roadrunners rugby coach.

Parents of the Roadrunners, like Len Jackson, speak highly of Privette and the Roadrunners. Jackson had known Privette for years as a family friend but was impressed after seeing Privette coach his own son.

“As a father, you’re very, very, very sensitive about who teaches your children,” Jackson said. “I feel comfortable not even being here, you know? And dropping my son off to practice and trusting Dontae to nurture him.”

Jayson Harris, who began playing football for the Roadrunners in August, said he enjoys having Privette as his coach. Harris explained that even when Privette gets serious, he’s still fun to be around. Playing with the Roadrunners, he said, has taught him a lot.

“I’m learning how to connect with people and how to be more confident,” Harris said.

Harris, like many of the students, also participates in an after-school study program held by the Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners Student Club meets at the Kingsessing Recreation Center every Tuesday and Thursday evening.

Privette expresses the importance of school: at the end of practices and games, he reminds his players to stay focused in class.  If a student is slacking in school, they are required to finish their homework before hitting the field.

“For our athletes, school is everything,” Privette said. “If you’re messing up in school, the first thing you have to do is do your homework and take care of that first before you’re allowed to be an athlete.”

The club, which the Roadrunners are highly encouraged to join, is run by Charles Parrish, who’s been involved with the team for decades.

“That’s our board chair,” Privette said.

In fact, there are a few original Roadrunners who are still involved in the program: a testament to its almost 50-year-old legacy.

“Players that have played for the Roadrunners are now coaches now,” Privette said. “The first quarterback for the Roadrunners coached our quarterback, a kid that had never picked up a football prior to last year and he led the team all the way to the championships.”

From Monday to Friday evening, the vast field outside the recreation center bustles with activity from the Roadrunners teams. For Privette, the work can be tiring and challenging, but he hasn’t regretted a single day, he said.

“My main hope is that we continue to thrive,” Privette said. “We want to make sure that we continue to have that connection and a relationship with our community.”

-Text, images and video by Angela Gervasi and Jasmine Sanders/

Marcus Alexander, 26, opened his home to those in need

Marcus Alexander’s friends always knew they had a place to crash if they were hungry, arguing with their parents, or needed a respite from the streets.

Growing up in Southwest Philadelphia, Marcus would invite at least 10 kids to dinner and the occasional stray dog, his mother, Theresa Guyton, remembered. He persuaded a friend to enter a rehabilitation program for addiction, and accompanied his cousin to her prom with only one day’s notice.

“He seen the good in everybody until they showed him the bad,” Theresa said. “We always fed the neighborhood like we were rich. ”

“Everybody wanted to be a part of our dysfunctional family,” she continued, laughing.

The oldest of 11 (five on his mom’s side, six on his dad’s), Marcus managed the house and dressed and fed four of his younger siblings while he was still in elementary school. Theresa, who had Marcus when she was 16, suffered from severe asthma and instructed her eldest from her hospital bed. Marcus’ father was incarcerated for the first 11 years of his son’s life, and the two had a fractured relationship.

The first time Marcus was shot was in 2016. He was waiting to borrow his friend’s SEPTA pass in West Philadelphia when a man fired indiscriminately into a crowd. Marcus survived after doctors inserted a chest tube.

The second time was in 2018, when he was in a car with his friend in Southwest Philadelphia. A man fired 17 bullets at the vehicle and Marcus’ 23-year-old friend died. Marcus sustained minor injuries.

The third time was on the night of Jan. 31, 2020, when Marcus was gunned down on the 3100 block of G Street in the Kensington section of the city. A police investigation is ongoing, but Marcus’ family believes that his killing was motivated by jealousy or revenge. Two months prior, Marcus watched another friend get murdered in the same neighborhood.

“They’re letting us kill each other off,” lamented Theresa, who also lost her 14-year-old stepson to gun violence in December. “Half of these neighborhoods there is a police station right there and people are still dying.”

Marcus attended John Bartram High School and played football for the Kingsessing Roadrunners, a community league. He graduated from the Glen Mills Schools, a reform school, after getting caught up in a violent flash mob incident in 2010 that involved thousands of teenagers in Center City. Marcus was in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time, his mother said.

He studied liberal arts for less than a year at Harcum College — his family jokes that his main purpose was to study girls — before traveling around the country visiting friends.

Marcus had brief job stints at The Cheesecake Factory and at a local dollar store, but his dream was to start a rap label with his family, managing the business side. Marcus’ siblings hope to move forward with the label and also start a clothing line, “Shmoney,” in tribute to their brother’s nickname.

Marcus was “optimistic about his future,” said his aunt, Quanda Guyton, noting that her nephew never sat still. “It’s like a Catch-22. He felt that the odds were stacked against him, but he never stopped fighting. He was going to make it one way or the other.”

For Marcus, family was paramount. He never missed a gathering, where he would dance wildly and bust on his relatives with deadpan humor. “You the bid,” he exclaimed, half-mocking them.

Yet no one questioned his loyalty. Marcus tried to steer his nieces, nephews and cousins on the right path, and defended his aunt’s honor when he felt that her boyfriend was disrespecting her.

A tattoo on his forearm read: “Family comes first.” Another one resembled a brick wall with his family members’ names tucked inside.

“His dream was for all of us to get out of here and live together,” said Theresa, who lived with Marcus at her Lawncrest home before he died.

Quanda talked to Marcus nearly every day. She tried to motivate him to explore job opportunities, explaining that he was smart, determined and a “people person.”

Shortly after Thanksgiving in 2019, she sat with Marcus in his bedroom while he showed her a half-dozen recent obituaries of his friends.

“He was numb to it — like something to be expected,” Quanda remembered.

“He wanted something to have that would give him a legacy.”

Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information. 

A reward of up to $20,000 is available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for Marcus’ murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.

Mar 18, 2021Margie Fishman

Marcus Dirckston’s email & phone

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Philadelphia Wings Donate Lacrosse Equipment To Local Youth Lacrosse Club

WINGS TO HOST LEARN-TO-PLAY CLINIC WITH KINGSESSING ROADRUNNERS LACROSSE CLUB AT INDEPENDENCE CHARTER SCHOOL WEST ON JANUARY 10

Philadelphia, PA – In conjunction with U. S. Lacrosse Week in Philadelphia and to continue their mission of growing the sport of lacrosse, Under Armour and the Wings have donated a variety of lacrosse equipment to the Kingsessing Roadrunners Lacrosse Club.

In October, the Roadrunners discovered that mold had affected about 50-60% of their lacrosse equipment while it was stored away in their recreation center. Since then, the club has been working to build their equipment inventory back up for the spring season.

The Roadrunners Lacrosse Club draws students from the Philadelphia area and strives to field no-cost recreational girls and boys teams that travel throughout the region. The lacrosse club provides a recreational outlet for over 120 players to learn the fundamentals and enjoy growing their sports skills through coaching and training. Its goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for players of all skills to develop individually while everyone learns the value of teamwork and community. Overall, the Kingsessing Roadrunners have been building a movement around youth sport access in Philadelphia since founding their first set of football teams in 1969.

“With the help of our partner Under Armour, we’re thrilled to donate lacrosse equipment to the Kingsessing Roadrunners Lacrosse Club and bring our players to conduct a learn-to-play clinic at Independence Charter School West,” said Lindsey Masciangelo, Executive Vice President of Business Development for the Philadelphia Wings. “Our mission is to continue the growth of the sport of lacrosse and what better way to increase participation in the sport than to provide youth lacrosse players with the equipment they need to develop their skills and perform at the highest level.”

“This equipment donation by the Philadelphia Wings allows the Roadrunners Lacrosse program to continue to grow and reach more girls and boys in the Philadelphia area, especially students who don’t normally have the opportunity to participate in such an activity,” said Timothy Morrison, Program Director for the Roadrunners Lacrosse Club.

“The Wings have stepped up in a huge way for our local community,” added Dontae Privette, President of the Roadrunners. “As a result of their generosity, we can serve more children in the neighborhood and eliminate some of the barriers that we know urban youth face with accessing the sport. When you have this type of collaboration and investment it allows more kids to learn the values that team sports can teach and their own potential for growth becomes astronomical.”

In addition to donating lacrosse equipment, the Philadelphia Wings will also host a learn-to-play clinic at Independence Charter School West on Thursday, January 10 at 3:30 p.m. Wings players, dancers, and mascot Wingston will be on hand to teach more than 80 youth players the fundamentals of lacrosse and help develop their skills.

The Philadelphia Wings and US Lacrosse invite fans to participate in an equipment drive at their next home game at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, January 12 at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used equipment to the game and drop in the bins at the door. All equipment collected will be donated to the Philadelphia Lacrosse Association (PLA), a Chapter of US Lacrosse and a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport in the Eastern Region of the State of Pennsylvania.

Throughout the year, PLA volunteers work to organize youth clinics, coaching seminars and fundraising events (including the annual PLA Golf Outing), award camp scholarships, provide equipment to programs in need, sponsor area tournaments, support travel team, provide assistance to new programs (through the PLA New Start Program), maintain the Pennsylvania Lacrosse Hall of Fame and conduct numerous other activities to further the mission of the PLA and US Lacrosse.

In partnership with the US Lacrosse Convention, lacrosse enthusiasts can purchase a general admission ticket to LaxCon’s Fan Fest and a reserved seat to the Wings-Swarm game on Saturday, January 12 at 7 p.m. for just $23.

Kingsessing Pool Project

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Using a Community Workgroup Approach to Increase Access to Physical Activity in an Underresourced Urban Community

Background. Regular physical activity is associated with improved physical and psychosocial well-being. Increasing access to physical activity in underresourced communities requires collaborative, community-engaged methods. One such method is community workgroups. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to describe implementation, strengths, challenges, and results of the workgroup approach as applied to increasing access to physical activity, using our recent study as an illustrative example. Method. A 1-day conference was held in April 2017 for community leaders. The first half of the conference focused on disseminating results of a multifaceted community assessment. The second half entailed community workgroups. Workgroups focused on applying community assessment results to develop strategies for increasing access to physical activity, with plans for ongoing workgroup involvement for strategy refinement and implementation. A professional artist documented the workgroup process and recommendations via graphic recording. Results. Sixty-three community leaders attended the conference and participated in the workgroups. Workgroup participants reported that greater macrosystem collaboration was critical for sustainability of physical activity programming and that, particularly in underresourced urban communities, re-imagining existing spaces (rather than building new spaces) may be a promising strategy for increasing access to physical activity. Discussion. Considered collectively, the community workgroup approach provided unique insight and rich data around increasing access to physical activity. It also facilitated stakeholder engagement with and ownership of community health goals. With careful implementation that includes attention to strengths, challenges, and planning for long-term follow-up, the community workgroup approach can be used to develop health promotion strategies in underresourced communities.

Keywords:

health promotion; physical activity/exercise; social determinants of health.

At Convocation, USciences Will Welcome More Than 300 New Students | University of the Sciences

More than 300 new students will officially begin their journey at USciences this month
at our 12th Annual Convocation Ceremony for first year students.

The ceremony, which follows move-in on August 24, 2018, kicks off Welcome Week events
on campus and this year will feature keynote speaker Dontae Privette. Privette, a
West Philadelphia native, is president of the Kingsessing Roadrunners, a nonprofit
that improves the health of children in West Philadelphia through sports and life
skill development.

Under Privette’s leadership, the Roadrunners have developed a strong reputation as
a trusted partner of the Kingsessing Recreation Center and a collaborative leader
for youth in Philadelphia. The program offers students a consistent connection to
after school academic resources, accessible sports clubs and experiential learning.
 Privette remarks that his favorite part about youth sports is their ability to give
each child on the team an opportunity to be a leader.

During the ceremony students are given special pins by faculty members signifying
their new role as members of the USciences community.

The ceremony follows new student move-in day when first-year students living on campus
move into their residence hall. Starting at 8:30 a.m. cars and minivans packed to
the brim with living essentials are unloaded with the help of our “Arrival Survival”
team of upperclassmen students.

Students not living on campus can begin to check in at 10 a.m. All new students and
their families should gather at 1:30 p.m. in the Athletic/Recreation center for the
convocation ceremony. When the ceremony is concluded, it is time for final goodbyes.

Students then begin a jammed-pack weekend of activities before classes begin on Monday,
August 28. Parents are invited to attend a Student Affairs Parent Connection program.

Categories: News, Students, Event, USciences

90,000 Robert Pattinson humiliates Timothy Shalame

Beginning of the 15th century, the Hundred Years War between England and France is in full swing. Prince of Wales Hel (Timothy Chalamet with a “potty” haircut) is far from politics and does not even look at the place of his father, King Henry IV (Ben Mendelssohn). He spends his free time in taverns, getting drunk to unconsciousness with his friend, Sir Falstaff (Joel Edgerton). However, after the death of his younger brother, to whom the crown was supposed to go, and his father, the prince reluctantly takes the reins. He takes the name Henry V and travels across the English Channel to conquer France and destroy the Dauphin Louis (Robert Pattinson with a funny French accent).

Still from the movie “The King”

The adaptation of Shakespeare in our time is, as you know, controversial and not to say what is necessary. The reason is not even that the concept of the Western canon, built around the English classic, is gradually dying out – everything is much simpler and more prosaic: Shakespeare is simply bored. Over the past hundred years, it has been filmed in a theatrical way, literally, the action was transferred to medieval Japan and even modern Finland, so in 2019 you are expecting at least something unusual and new from the next film adaptation.In addition, the story about Henry V, albeit not as often as the story about the Prince of Denmark, but still quite often reached the screens large and small: there were the classic films of the same name by Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh, the TV series The Empty Crown and even Falstaff. Orson Welles. Their number is replenished by David Michaud’s The King – a film that wants to surprise with realism, but tires with theatricality.

Still from the movie “The King”

Joel Edgerton and David Michaud wrote the script based on three parts of the monumental Henrikhada – it is not surprising that their tandem had to focus on the same themes, and to throw something aside and simply ignore.So, for example, the leitmotif of the film – the abuse of power and how it spoils people – clearly subjugates the core of the story, the growing up of Henry V and his transformation from a carousel who never dreamed of ruling a country into a sensible monarch who chops down political intrigues at the root.

Still from the movie “The King”

However, they did even worse with Falstaff – one of the most complex characters in Shakespeare’s work and the unspoken protagonist of the plays about Henry IV and Henry V.Behind the image of a drunkard and a rogue is a hero with a progressive philosophy based on nihilism and hedonism. For him, war is not a matter of honor, but an easy way to make money for alcohol and women. An ideal hero for Michaud and Edgerton, who seem to be trying to move away from the glorification of war and show that this is just a slaughter in the mud for empty ideas, violence for the sake of violence, but they lazily use the character as a lever of pressure on Henry V. The hero Chalamet bends over the corpse of a friend in almost frame-by-frame repetition of the final “Call me by your name” and finally understands that war is really bad, people are dying.

The King is just a string of missed opportunities and an attempt to take the path of least resistance. A 140-minute monster in which Shakespeare’s lines about political conspiracies are theatrically read for 2 hours and tumbled in the mud for 20 minutes. It is clear that fans of Shalame and Pattinson would gladly watch for at least 10 hours as their favorites pompously discuss politics, joke about big balls and a small penis and invite each other to go one-on-one like a boy, but this is still tiresome due to the lack of at least some plot dynamics and hints of psychologism.

But those 20 minutes with the battles are excellent – the battles were filmed not as an amateur reconstruction with wooden swords, but realistically and harshly, with typical pretentious speeches (greatly outplaying Shalamet), which motivate the soldiers to die on the field, and the viewer not to turn off the film for now. The Battle of Agincourt at its best resembles Battle of the Bastards, but it’s easy to forgive: Sapochnik still set a new standard for directing large-scale battles. However, the weak direction of The King is saved by other technical trump cards: the natural light cinematography by Adam Arkpoe (Macbeth by Justin Kurzel) and the music of Nicholas Britell, one of the best composers of our time.With big names on the poster, I would like, of course, more, but thanks for that too.

The film “King Richard”: how Will Smith pursues the American dream

“A touching drama about faith in the best” – this is how the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” with Will Smith is described and many of his projects can be described in the same way, only to replace the “touching” to “heartbreaking” or “funny”. One of the most successful actors of our time has a weakness for uplifting, sentimental cinema.At the same time, most of his melodramatic films, such as “Seven Lives” or “Phantom Beauty”, are clearly whipped over the edge, while comedic ones, such as “The Rules of Removal: The Hitch Method”, turn out to be more successful. In King Richard, where Smith plays the father of two of the world’s greatest tennis players, Venus and Serena Williams, he clearly tries to push the comedic part, but the script leaves little room for the actor to maneuver and the viewer to interpret.

Still from the movie “King Richard”

© Universal Pictures International

Reinaldo Marcus Green’s film begins with a quick acquaintance with its protagonist.Richard Williams was born in Louisiana, moved to California, once heard on TV that tennis player Virginia Ruzici received $ 47 thousand per match, and offered his wife Orasin Price to give birth to two more daughters in addition to the three existing ones, in order to make them great tennis players. So Venus and Serena were born, whom Richard and his wife train themselves from an early age. Even before their birth, he wrote a 78-page plan for how to lead his daughters to success. He spreads this whole story to white men in Los Angeles country clubs in the hope of finding a coach for the girls.Understandably, his interlocutors, wealthy middle-aged white men, listen to this sentimental and strange in places story with contempt or, at best, with a grin. However, even the most distant from sports people know that “madman” Richard was right, and the following film tells why for two and a half hours.

The film by Green, written by Chris Bowers, where Smith was one of the general producers (and this is an important detail), with the diligence of a high school student fulfills all the requirements of the formula for success.First, he views Williams as a visionary. This is always an advantageous position, since the film diligently shows disbelief, skepticism and criticism from the blinkered majority that the genius hero has to fight against, and thereby causes the audience to feel a sense of righteous anger.

The shooting of the film “King Richard”

© Universal Pictures International

After all, we, unlike the characters, already know that Richard will be right, and his work will bring success. Secondly, the story of the Williams family is a classic embodiment of the American dream, when the poor residents of the criminal Compton (a city in the Los Angeles County with a bad reputation), thanks to many years of work and faith in themselves, achieved material well-being and success in the eyes of society.Moreover, this is the story of not just another white man, but of black people from the ghetto, which makes it not only spiritually uplifting in modern times, but also relevant.

The premise of the film is the simplest – “believe in a dream, work hard, and you will succeed.” This two-dimensional model of the world always works in cinematography. After all, you often come to the cinema precisely for self-deception, which convinces you that all your attempts will someday justify themselves. It is especially good when such stories are based on reality, although it usually turns out to be much more complex than slogans

On this topic

The picture also does not take this moment into account, preferring to take the form of a classic biopic, which glorifies its main character.Traumatized by a difficult childhood in Louisiana during the Ku Klux Klan, Richard is clearly trying to solve some of his own internal problems through children (however, all parents are to blame for this). Self-willed, strikingly stubborn, self-centered – these qualities make Williams not the easiest person to communicate, and even more so in his personal life. However, the film prefers to smooth out the corners.

Smith tries hard to play Richard’s ambiguous sides in a comedic way, diligently imitating his heavy gait and Louisiana (judging by the trailer) accent.To fully appreciate his acting work, however, the Russian viewer will not be able to because of the dubbing. Together with Green, they, fortunately, do not strike melodrama, most of the time maintaining good dramatic pathos, which in the end will still squeeze out a tear from the most sensitive. At the same time, the director succeeds in sports scenes much worse – he clearly does not understand how to shoot them, therefore he prefers to keep his attention on the reactions of the actors. But still, there is a limit to the drama that can be squeezed out of Smith’s anxious face with a toothpick in his mouth.Especially in a two and a half hour movie.

In fact, the main question for “King Richard” is why, given that there are already two legendary tennis players in the Williams family (which is like having two Mozarts), the film tells exactly about their father? Of course, he is a visionary, a talented coach who, with his faith and obstinacy, helped his daughters achieve success, but nevertheless, it was they who achieved that very success.

Still from the movie “King Richard”

© Universal Pictures International

How did they feel about their father having a plan for them before they were born? They wanted to follow it and did they ever wonder if this was really their desire? How do those who have worked hard since the age of four to achieve their goals in the distant future feel? We do not recognize this from the film.

Serena and Venus were nice, smiling, hard-working girls who always answered “yes, daddy” to any of Richard’s demands. There is only one scene in the film where Orasin (Onzhanyu Ellis), who plays the role of a patient helper wife most of the time, finally puts Richard in his place, pointing out his selfishness and correcting for reality.

It turns out that “King Richard” seems to be telling the story of a man who is behind great women. However, in the current climate, these stories look strange.But it is very uplifting. This cannot be taken away from them.

“King of Fruits” turned out to be dangerous for many Russians

https://rsport.ria.ru/20211208/frukt-1762649883.html

“King of Fruits” turned out to be dangerous for many Russians

“King of Fruits” turned out to be dangerous for many Russians – RIA Novosti Sport, 08.12.2021

“King of Fruits” turned out to be dangerous for many Russians

Nutritionist Lera Lavsky revealed to RIA Novosti the beneficial properties of mango, but warned that it could negatively affect the health of some people. RIA Novosti Sport, 08.12.2021

2021-12-08T02: 35

2021-12-08T02: 35

2021-12-08T02: 35

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MOSCOW, Dec 8 – RIA Novosti.Nutritionist Lera Lavsky revealed to RIA Novosti the beneficial properties of mango, but warned that it can negatively affect the health of some people. The specialist added that mango is not recommended for people with individual intolerance to the fruit, which can often be found in our strip monitors blood sugar levels and avoids fructose, as the treat is quite sweet and can cause spikes in insulin in the blood. In this case, you can reduce the amount of fruit eaten to 50 grams and eat it after meals, so as not to cause surges in pancreatic hormone.

https://rsport.ria.ru/20211206/banan-1762302519.html

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“The King of Fruits” turned out to be dangerous for many Russians

Viktor Dobronravov / Theater. Evgenia Vakhtangova. Official site.

A true Vakhtangov man with a rich palette of artistic qualities, behind whose shoulders the central roles (Oedipus, Onegin, Achilles, Khloine-Genekh, Iago, Khludov, Gloucester, Andrei Bolkonsky …) in the iconic performances of Rimas Tuminas, Yuri Butusov, Angelica Kholina, I am sure that “theater is a real life.”Performances with his participation are applauded not only in Russia, and his filmography is full of unexpected works.

Born on March 8, 1983.

Graduated from the Boris Shchukin Theater Institute (course of E.V. Knyazev) in 2004. In the same year M.A. Ulyanov to the Yevgeny Vakhtangov Theater.

Today Viktor Dobronravov is the leading artist of the middle generation of the Vakhtangovtsev. He is entrusted with central roles in their performances by Rimas Tuminas and Yuri Butusov, Vladimir Ivanov and Angelica Kholina.

In his rich acting baggage – Pashka ( CHULIMSK last summer ), Celestin-Floridor ( Mademoiselle Nitouche ), Golokhvastov ( For two hares …), Linier ( Cyrano de Bergerac ), Beloglazovskaya ), Achilles ( Troilus and Cressida ), Servant, Man of Winter ( Masquerade ), Judge and Barnardin ( Measure for Measure ), Iago (choreographic performance Othello ), young Onegin () Eugene Onegin , Chloine-Geneh ( Smile at us, Lord ), Khludov ( Run ), Gloucester ( King Lear ), Andrey Bolkonsky (War and Peace ) and other works.

It is no coincidence that Rimas Tuminas entrusted him with the role of Oedipus in the tragedy of Sophocles “King Oedipus” – a joint project of the Vakhtangov Theater and the National Theater of Greece, which premiered in the antique amphitheater in Epidaurus.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Yevgeny Vakhtangov Theater in the audio performance-promenade “Vakhtangov. The Way to Turandot “played the role of Leonid Volkov.

During his studies, he made his film debut. Currently, the filmography of Viktor Dobronravov has more than 70 roles, including: Composition for Victory Day (1998), Do not be born beautiful (2005-2006), Everything is mixed in the house … (2006), National treasure (2007), Champion (2008), Votes (2010), What Men Talk About (2010), Grocery Case No. 1 (2011), Yalta-45 (2011), Military Hospital (2012), Chkalov (2012), Thaw (2013), Mirrors (2013), Tryukach (2014), Family values ​​ (2015), Well, hello, Oksana Sokolova! (2018), T-34 (2018) and many others.

In 2009, Viktor Dobronravov won the casting “Find the Beast” and received the main male role in the musical “Beauty and the Beast”.

Winner of the VII annual theater award “Star of the Theater” in the nomination “Best Actor in a Supporting Role”, laureate of the MK award: in the nomination “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (Khloine-Geneh, play “Smile to Us, Lord”, 2014 ) and in the nomination “Best male role” (Oedipus, play “Oedipus King”, 2017), laureate of the Moscow City Prize in 2017 in the field of literature and art in the nomination “Theatrical art” (Khludov, play “Running”) , as well as a nominee for the Russian national award “Golden Mask” (“Drama.Best male role “- Khludov, play” Running “).

A talented artist is the creator of an original creative project – “Carpet Quartet”, consisting of actors and musicians. The quartet covers a variety of styles – jazz, soul, funk, cover versions of famous foreign hits (Michael Buble, Ray Charles, Jamie Cullum, Radiohead, Queen).

Viktor Dobronravov also performs with the “Carpet Quartet” on the stage of the Art Cafe of the Vakhtangov Theater.

Olga Tumaykina / Theater. Evgenia Vakhtangova.Official site.

On the starry Vakhtangov sky, it is unique and unique. A mysterious, multifaceted, elusive, always unpredictable actress can be tragic, gentle, incredibly attractive, harsh, prickly, and even very funny – invariably delighting the audience.

Born on April 3, 1972 in Krasnoyarsk.

Graduated from the Boris Shchukin Theater School (course of A.A. Kazanskaya) in 1995. In the same year she was accepted into the troupe of the Vakhtangov Theater.

The aspiring actress made her wonderful debut in the iconic Vakhtangov play “Princess Turandot”, playing the role of Adelma.

Today Olga Tumaykina is one of the leading actresses of the Vakhtangov Theater, where she has been serving for over 25 years. She was lucky to play on stage with the leading figures of the Vakhtangov Theater – Vasily Lanov, Vyacheslav Shalevich, Yuri Yakovlev and, of course, Vladimir Etush, with whom the actress played in three performances.

Among her roles: Fia ( Lady without Camellias ), Kashkina ( Last summer in Chulimsk ), Judith Fellows ( Iguana Night ), Clariche ( The Deer King ), Polina Andreevna (), Chaika Mademoiselle Georges ( Frederic, or Boulevard of Crimes ), Pronya Prokopovna ( For two hares …), Farpukhina ( Uncle’s dream ), Maloshina Varvara Dmitrievna ( Little devil ), Tselovanieva as people () People Fey ( Games of the Lonely ), Kabanikha ( Thunderstorm ) – awarded the MK theater award, Toinette ( The Imaginary Sick ), Kira ( Benefit ), Duchess of York ( Richard III ), Catherine II () Love at the Throne ), Matryona Kharitovna ( Warm Heart ), Baroness Von F.( Stefan Zweig. Novels ), Natalya ( Bryusov lane ), Regan ( King Lear ), Herodias ( Salome ), Marya Dmitrievna Akhrosimova ( War and Peace ) and others

The playbill of the Art Cafe of the Vakhtangov Theater includes Olga Tumaykina’s evening “45 different shades”.

In addition to the Vakhtangov Theater, she played in the performances: “Phaedra. Golden Ear ”(Theater of Nations),“ Lucky Smith ”(Art Partner of the XXI century),“ Toothy Nanny ”(theater project by Lina Arifulina),“ Joke ”(Theater Company“ Art Salon ”),“ Male gender, singular “(Moscow Comedy Theater),” The Duchess of Marlborough “,” The Victim Goldiner “(Teatrium on Serpukhovka), etc.

Olga Tumaykina began acting in cinema in 1998 in the film “The Pretenders”, one of the roles in which was played by Mikhail Ulyanov. Popularity came to her with the appearance on television screens of the sketch show “Women’s League”.

The filmography of the actress has more than 50 works, including: “Empire under attack”, “Life is full of fun”, “Poisons or the World History of Poisoning”, “Moscow. Central District “,” Miracles in Reshetov “,” Girls “,” Somersault House “,” Zhurov “,” Cream “,” Detective Samovar “,” Happiness “,” Christmas trees “,” An invented story “,” Moms “,” True love “,” What the girls are silent about “,” Teachers “,” Champions “,” Lyudmila Gurchenko “,” In the constellation of Sagittarius “,” Nanny “,” Ice 2 “, etc.

King Lear: McKellen – KARO cinema chain

Duration: 223 min.

Director: Jonathan Munby

Production: Great Britain

To buy a ticket

Project National Theater Live
Staged by the Chichester Festival Theater on the stage of Duke of York’s Theater

The 2017-2018 season turned out to be fabulously rich in “final” “Lear”.First, in the fall in Chichester, a play by Jonathan Manby with 78-year-old McKellen thundered, and just before the curtain of spring, the BBC showed a new TV adaptation with 80-year-old Anthony Hopkins. Given the venerable age of the two British legends, we are unlikely to see them again at the top of Shakespeare’s posters: King Lear is the oldest of the main roles of a playwright.

McKellen’s benefit, in fact, was announced as the farewell Shakespearean release of the brilliant actor – and as such met all expectations.This is not the first McKellen Lear (in 2007 he appeared in the form of a furious and eccentric monarch in the performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company), but, of course, the more poignant of the two: the paradoxical royal act that opens the play seems to be rhymed with the upcoming “resignation” of the actor himself …

Other elements of this production turned out to be interesting and rich in meanings: transparent, devoid of excessive sophistication, the direction of the strong Shakespearean professional Jonathan Manby; stage design by artist Paul Wills, placing the action on a spinning red disc; sound design by young composers and sound designers of the Ringham brothers.

Actors’ interpretations of well-known roles to each and every one add special piquancy. First of all, the very fact of Sinead Cusack’s appearance in the role of Kent, comparable to the transformation of Cassius in Julia Caesar, another recent Shakespearean play by TheaterHD, in which an Irish actress (Michelle Fairley) also played a gender reimagined character. In addition, all critics, without exception, noted the predatory eroticism of Kirsty Bushell in the role of Regan, adding fresh spice to the cocktail of motivations of the main characters of the play.

Supported by the Department of Culture and Education of the British Embassy in Moscow

90,000 Vivat, king! – News archive

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Today, on December 5, the whole country celebrates the birthday of, without a doubt, the most recognizable and legendary athlete in the history of our sport – from the multiple world champion, “king of bandy” and the best player of the XX century – Nikolai Durakov!

Nikolai Durakov’s long and bright career began in Nizhny Tagil in 1946: it was there that a native of Donetsk region played for the local Metallurg and Stroitel.After 8 years, moved to Sverdlovsk SKA – the team with which the most glorious hockey years are associated: 9 victories in the USSR championships and a victory in the European Champions Cup (1974).

The best scorer of the USSR championships (1959, 1962, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974). The best midfielder of the tournament (1970, 1971).

NIKOLAY FOOLS. THE GENIUS OF RUSSIAN HOCKEY

As part of the USSR national team Nikolay Durakov, the first in history to conquer the bar of ,500 goals scored in in the national championships, won the world championships in 1957, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973.

Top scorer of the World Championship (1965). He was recognized as the best midfielder (1957, 1963, 1965) and the best striker (1971) of the world championships, was a member of the symbolic team of the championships (1967, 1969, 1971).

Awarded gold medal of the International Federation “For outstanding services in the development of ball hockey” (1975). entered the symbolic Russian national team for 100 years according to Sport-Express, was named the best midfielder (1997).