The Broadway productions of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” “Porgy & Bess,” “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” and “Jitney,” all of which were produced by Ron Simons, one of the few Black producers in New York, have won Tony Awards.
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How a Broadway Producer Spends His Sundays
He produced “Thoughts of a Colored Man,” which ended its run last month, and “For Colored Girls,” which will debut this spring, in reaction to the pandemic.
Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020 and the accompanying unrest and discussions about racism, Mr. Simons noted, “Recent events have allowed us to be thoroughly articulated.”
The use of narrative in programmes like “Thoughts of a Colored Man” and others may help dispel racial prejudice and myths.
Despite declining Broadway attendance and casts and crews scurrying to avoid the Omicron version, Mr. Simons is optimistic.
It’s simple to forget how long Broadway has been in existence, he said. Broadway’s status as a cultural institution won’t vanish. It continues to grow and becomes more inclusive.
Mr. Simons, a 61-year-old personal trainer and health professional, shares a home on West 54th Street with his 53-year-old partner, Jbya Clarke.
Need For Extra Time To See A Play
Depending on what time I went to bed the previous night, Alexa wakes me up between 10 and 11 a.m. with a grating beeping sound. I usually work into the early hours of the morning on Saturdays to collect money for events like “For Colored Girls.” I call the number to see how the shows are doing and if there are any issues that need to be fixed.
PURGE For the upcoming day, Jbya has already gotten out of bed and is making coffee. We are currently receiving coffee from Café Britt that is both Hawaiian and Costa Rican. In whichever cup I can get my hands on, I’ll have it with cream and Stevia.
The next drink is a spinach, MCT oil, collagen, pineapple, and mango-based green juice.
It has a soothing impact. Fast food has become my addiction since it’s affordable, quick, and practical. This aids in detoxification.
Every year, around the middle of January, I undergo an 11-day cleanse. I can only consume protein powders and green juices at this point. I think it’s crucial to start the year off on a good note. After the purge, I feel lighter and more concentrated.
The Spirituality Stream
I’m a member of the R.O.C.K. church in Houston. My relative is married to the preacher. She operates the church and preaches, so I get to virtually attend the morning service. She set a good example, one that I want to emulate.
I’m constantly on the search for inspiration and beauty. I’ve been able to disprove the rumours spreading across the country as a result. I’m considering meditating myself.
Brunch
We start thinking about where we’ll eat brunch by the time it’s time for lunch. Our favourite spot to dine is Cookshop. I always swear I won’t have a cinnamon bun, but I grab wheat bread instead.
The cinnamon roll is mine as well. Also, french fries. They are my utmost adversary. Maybe one or two of our friends will join us. It’s a terrific chance to see old friends when we serve breakfast at our house or bring it to a potluck.
Matinee
I have to watch every new episode since it’s part of my work to vote for the Tony Awards. If we don’t have time for brunch, we’ll go to the theatre instead. I usually fall asleep at night because of my tiredness from the week, but Sunday helps me be a more alert spectator.
An Interesting Meal With Lighting
Jbya and I stroll through New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen after the performance. On my list of places to dine are the restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen. Dining out offers a different atmosphere than eating in front of the television.
Take a look at their menus to see what they are offering and how they are rated. If there are a few dishes that appeal to me, I’ll enter. It must also be well-lit and spotless. I enjoy watching good television.
I usually bring up lighting and how it influences one’s mood when I meet new people. We then take a walk back to our house because I’ve put on 20 pounds since using Covid.
Stuff Pile Upon Pile
At five o’clock, Jbya and I split up, and we got back together at about seven. He withdraws into his man cave, our media room, closes the door, turns the lights down, and draws the draperies back to obscure the light. Then he watches something about RuPaul, the Royal Family, or the Kardashians.
My mailbox is so overflowing that the doorman has to hold it for me, so I persuade myself to finally open the mail I’ve been putting off for a month.
I detest having to complete action items, such as accepting an invitation, making a payment, or cashing a check. Alternately, if I’m feeling especially ambitious, I’ll try to organise my disorganised workspace. As soon as I finish something, my desk is overtaken by it.
Even though I have a tonne of work to do, it still appears that I’m a bit of a packrat because it’s all over the place. I enjoy tchotchkes a much.
Dishes And Talk
We choose between Seamless and Uber Eats for delivery by 7 o’clock. We might eat at a burger establishment or a Chinese restaurant.
The Impossible Whopper is Jbya’s preferred burger, and when she doesn’t have any at home, she regularly orders it with fries and a Diet Coke.
Thanks to a recent purchase I made, the media room now has retro-style TV trays. Right now, our time together is at its best.
It can be particularly difficult on weekday evenings. For both of us, today has been quite the contrast. I’m ready to stop talking when he’s ready to start since I’ve been talking all day. Since I’m still attempting to figure out how to do that, Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for us to get together.
It’s a thrilling getaway. We finished listening to “Tales from the City” last night. We’re seeking for science fiction and thrillers. I’ve spent the week making money calls because “For Colored Girls” has its final cast and I’m still in the fundraising phase. When I have a night like this, I think of the “Bourne Identity” series, which we can watch repeatedly, “The Matrix,” or “The Lord of the Rings” series.
Experience Interactive
By 1:00 or 2:00 a.m., we are back in bed. Alexa’s face brightens when I call her. If I need a reminder, I either ask for one or go ahead and set an alarm. I tell her to start playing a rainstorm at that point. It’s known as white noise in our language. The first person to fall asleep is Jbya.
If I can’t, I’ll spend 45 minutes playing games on my phone because I take my part in West Game seriously.
While Town Builder is a fighting game in which you construct your own town and engage in player combat, Toy Blast is a matching puzzle game. When my eyes are tired, I find it simple to fall asleep.
For more Sunday Routine content, follow Ron Simons on Instagram at @ronaldksimons!
