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Talkhouse

Susan Kelechi Watson starred as Beth Pearson on This is Us, winning awards and widespread acclaim for her performance. In addition to starring in the series, Watson penned an episode of the upcoming final season. Her other TV credits include Netflix’s animated series Ada Twist, Scientist, a major recurring role on Louie, and appearances on numerous other TV shows including The Blacklist, Divorce, Private Practice and Law &amp; Order. In film she starred in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Peter and John and Small Moving Parts. On stage she most recently starred in The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in The Park production of Merry Wives. As a producer, Watson executive produced and starred in the acclaimed HBO special of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me. Watson’s first foray into producing was the film Premature, which debuted at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by IFC Films. Watson is also a proud Epic NEXT youth development mentor with the Epic Theatre Ensemble, a professional theater company with a mission to promote vital civic discourse and social change through drama.

Susan Kelechi Watson

Film

Three Great Things: Susan Kelechi Watson

Following several monumental decades of moving  from South Africa to America, building a worldwide audience for his music while also raising his children to adulthood, sing/guitarist Jonathan Butler arrived at a crossroads in his marriage which ended in divorce. A few years later Jonathan met violinist Nadira  Kimberly, who brought profound new meaning to his life. Her presence by his side became the inspiration for Close To You, his tribute to the hallowed pop canon of Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics).
Butler’s musical story began at age 12 recording the Burt Bacharach song “Please Stay,” originally recorded by vocal quartet The Drifters in 1961. Escaping then-­Apartheid-­poisoned South Africa through a love for music instilled within him from his parents and siblings, Butler has become a world-­renowned singer, guitarist and entertainer via songs ranging from the pop of “Sarah, Sarah” and the soul of “Do You Love Me” to the jazz of “Deliverance” and his contemporary gospel classic “Be Encouraged.” Now 56, Butler has come back to Bacharach full circle with the music of Close To You.  
<a href="http://www.jonathanbutler.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.jonathanbutler.com</a>

Jonathan Butler

Music

Realizing Our Humanity Through the Music of Burt Bacharach

South Africa