Allen Tribute Slated Theater Founder To Get Phila. Bowl

by Nels Nelson, Daily News Theater Critic
Posted: March 18, 1992

The late John E. Allen Jr., much-beloved co-founder and artistic director of Freedom Theatre, will receive the Philadelphia Bowl, the highest award of the City of Philadelphia, at a community-wide tribute to Allen on March 29 at the Merriam Theatre, Mayor Rendell announced yesterday.

Allen, who died Feb. 25, also was honored at the City Hall press conference in the Mayor's Reception Room by representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City Council, and corporate and cultural institutions.

The mayor said the March 29 tribute was intended not only to honor the man and help perpetuate his legacy, but as a means of furthering the financial health of the North Philadelphia-based Freedom Theatre.

Allen's widow, Joyce, yesterday made her first public appearance since her husband's death, addressing the ceremonial body about Allen's accomplishments and the need to reaffirm a commitment to the theater he helped found 25 years ago and guided to its present eminence.

The Merriam tribute will include excerpts from memorable performances at Freedom, music by Grover Washington Jr. and John Blake, and greetings from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Fuller and actress Erika Alexander ("The Cosby Show"), an alumna of Freedom's theater school.

Among the other cultural institutions participating will be Philadanco, the Clef Club, the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, the Asociacion de Musicos and the University of the Arts.

The 7 p.m. tribute will be preceded by two receptions. Tickets to the tribute and its adjunct events are available now at Freedom Theatre only, 1346 N. Broad St. For more information, call 765-2793.

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