Lauren Beverly

Music Reviewer

I love to write and have been doing so since the age of eight. Fictional stories have always been a favorite of mine, because it gives me a chance to be creative and to express myself in a multitude of ways. On more than one occasion, a song proved to be the inspiration to several stories I have written. Believe it or not, some of those songs were on soundtracks! That’s mostly what I listen to, aside from hits from the 1950’s up to the 1980’s. I’ve learned that anything can be the inspiration to a story, even a poster from the 1990’s or a DVD cover.

I’ve lived in Upper Marlboro all of my life and spent much of my childhood watching cartoons of all kinds, and listening to my older sister’s cassette tapes. Growing up, I listened to everything Jackson related, Paula Abdul, Elton John, and even the controversial group Milli Vanilli. As a teenager, I continued to listen to old-school hits and that was pretty much all I liked, aside from listening to all of Michael Jackson’s music. To this day, I still love old-school hits. That hasn’t changed.

I own a variety of CDs from artists such as Styx, The BeeGees, Michael Jackson, Queen, The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, and many others. When a soundtrack comes out, there will always be one specific song from that album that I’ll love. It never fails.

I’ve graduated from Bowie State University in December 2013 with a B.A. degree in English.

Chae Stephen Stars as Marvin Gaye In “Pride and Joy”

May 10, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Theatre

Motown is a name everyone knows. Many of us have our favorite artists or songs produced under the Motown label, such as The Marvelettes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Jackson 5, and of course, the late, great Marvin Gaye. No matter what generation you are, you know Marvin’s hits “Let’s Get It On,” “Sexual Healing,” “What’s Going On?” and many others. “Pride and Joy” is a stage production that tells the story of Marvin’s life and relationship with Anna Gordy Gaye, sister of Motown founder, Berry Gordy. Chae Stephen appears as Marvin and was thrilled to discuss his role and the impact Marvin’s music has had on him in more ways than one.

TRR Exclusive interview with Executive Director of the DC Chapter, Jeriel Johnson

Recording Academy D.C. Chapter Celebrates Inaugural Block Party

May 10, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Music

The Grammy Awards is an event we all look forward to. We get to see our favorite performers take the stage and give us an electrifying performance and walk the red carpet with style and grace. While this year’s Grammy Awards was held in Los Angeles, The Recording Academy is not just limited to the West Coast. The Recording Academy has a D.C. chapter, and I had the chance to speak with Executive Director of the DC Chapter, Jeriel Johnson about an Inaugural Block Party being held this evening. We discussed the Recording Academy, the musical guests, and the block party itself.

Lauren Beverly talks to "Pride and Joy" actress Krystal Drake

Krystal Drake Delivers Some “Pride and Joy” to DC

May 8, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Theatre

Actress Krystal Drake stars in the stage production “Pride and Joy,” which tells the story about Washington, DC’s own, the late, great Marvin Gaye. Krystal—whose credits include “Pippin,” “Black Nativity” and “Nubian Stories”—is set to take the stage as Anna Gordy Gaye at the National Theater. I had a chance to speak with Krystal about her upcoming performance, her role as Anna Gordy Gaye, and the music of Motown.

Lauren Beverly talks to Maryland's own Michael Ealy about his role in The Intruder

Michael Ealy Talks about “The Intruder”

May 2, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Movies

May 3^rd sees the release of “The Intruder,” starring Michael Ealy, Meagan Goode and Dennis Quaid. For those of you who love to be scared, you are in for a real treat. Not too long ago, Michael, who hails from Silver Spring, MD, was in town to promote the movie and I had the opportunity to speak with him about his experiences in the film, his work with Meagan and what he learned from working with Dennis Quaid.

John O'Hurley brings "A Man with Standards" to Annapolis tonight and we got your first look in this interview

Rams Head On Stage Welcomes John O’Hurley

April 25, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Theatre

Known for his role as J. Peterman on “Seinfeld” and his Broadway performances in “Chicago” and “Spamalot,” John O’Hurley is set to take the stage TONIGHT at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD. His one man show, “A Man With Standards,” is one that will take you on a journey of his life through a variety of songs and humor. I had a chance to speak with John a moment ago about his show, his work as a voice actor and his love of theater.

Intervue with Lou Ferrigno in preparation for this weekend's Awesome Con

Lou Ferrigno is Ready for Awesome Con 2019

April 24, 2019 Lauren Beverly Arts & Entertainment, Interviews

Lou Ferrigno is a legendary actor and bodybuilder who has won over fans since winning his first major title in 1973, and he’s kept going ever since. Many of us will remember watching him on “The Incredible Hulk” as the titular green character, a favorite of many Marvel fans. Ferrigno has taken on many roles, from a slave trader in “Star Trek Continues” to a starring as himself in “King of Queens.” Lou Ferrigno will be coming to the sixth annual Awesome Con, Washington D.C.’s version of Comic Con, where fans of pop-culture gather to celebrate comic books, collectibles, games, and cosplay this weekend at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. When I spoke with Mr. Ferrigno, I asked him about his work as an actor, his role as a Certified Deputy Sheriff for the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles and the projects he has in the works.

Our exclusive interview with reggae artist Etana

Getting to Know Etana the Strong One

March 25, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Music

Music has a way of inspiring us in more ways than one. In Etana’s case, her music has been the vehicle for change in her community. Although the reggae singer, who hails from Kingston, Jamaica, is known for her thought provoking songs, she has also founded an organization that assists the youth of her community. I had a chance to speak with Etana via e-mail, and I had a few questions for her about her music, her philanthropy and what inspires her.

Our Exclusive Interview with Actor/Playwright Wallace Shawn

The Farpoint 29 Interview: Wallace Shawn

February 7, 2019 Lauren Beverly Arts & Entertainment, Interviews

Wallace Shawn is known to his fans for many of his works. Some of us grew up watching the classic film “The Princess Bride,” and some sit down in the evenings to turn on “Young Sheldon” to see Shawn as Dr. John Sturgis or watch the “Toy Story” films with our families to see his character, Rex the toy dinosaur interact with Woody and the gang. He’s not only known as an actor, but he also worked as a playwright as well, having composed works such as “Aunt Dan and Lemon,” “Evening at the Talk House” and “Our Late Night.” I recently spoke with Wallace and I had a few questions about his work as a playwright, his voice work and even about his time on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

Exclusive Interview with "Worst Cooks in America" Contestant Antoinette Wills

Antoinette Wills Takes on the Challenge of Worst Cooks in America

January 10, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Television

(Contestant Antoinette Wills, as seen on Worst Cooks In America, Season 15. Courtesy of Food Network)

January 6^th saw the release of season 15 of “Worst Cooks in America” on The Food Network. This season, Washington, D.C. native Antoinette Wills appears as a contestant. I spoke with Antoinette recently, and we had a chance to talk about her appearance on the show and what motivated her to sign up for the show.

Exclusive interview with Greenleaf's & "The Bobby Brown Story's Asia'h Epperson

INTERVUE: Asia’h Epperson

August 27, 2018 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Television

“Greenleaf”is set to return for a third season, beginning with a two night premiere, August 28^th and August 29^th. Actress-singer Asia’h Epperson stars on the program as Tasha Skanks, wife of Pastor Basie Skanks. Epperson also stars in the upcoming biopic “The Bobby Brown Story,” where she appears as Bobby’s former girlfriend, Kim Ward. I had a chance to speak with Asia’h and ask her about her experiences in filming “The Bobby Brown Story” and her thoughts on the upcoming season of “Greenleaf”.