Thursday, December 15, 2007 

Greenville's rising 'Star'
 By Angie Long

There's a budding celebrity walking around the Camellia City, and he's one of our own.

"I would say at school I am definitely more popular. People keep telling me they've seen me on TV on WAKA or in the newspaper - it's pretty fun," Absalom Adams says, flashing a megawatt smile.

"I've even been asked for my autograph a few times!"

Adams, an 11-year-old 6th grader at Greenville Middle School, plays a prominent role in famed indie director John Sayles' latest production, "Honeydripper." The film, shot last fall largely in Greenville, Georgiana and the Midway community, will has its local premiere in early February 2008 (date and time to be announced). The movie has already been playing at film festivals around the world and was put into limited release in major cities this month for Oscar consideration.

Adams and his mom, Cecilia, an ordained minister who leads the House of Prayer in Greenville, are both very excited about the film's local debut.

They are so anxious to see Absalom in his big screen debut, in fact, the two are planning to attend a January 18 premiere in Atlanta.

"We couldn't make it to New York for that showing, so we are hoping to see it in Atlanta," Mrs. Adams explains.

"We can hardly wait!"

Absalom and a young Montgomery talent, Nagee Clark, play Lonnie and Scratch, two young boys who are appear in scenes throughout the film, set in rural Alabama in 1950.

Danny Glover plays Tyrone Purvis, owner of a struggling blues club, the Honeydripper Lounge, who is determined to bring in the customers and win out over his competition. Comedy, drama and plenty of music ensue, with an electrifying early rock n' roll performance rounding out the story.

Charles Dutton, Stacy Keach, Lisa Gay Hamilton and YaYa DeCosta are among the performers rounding out the cast, which also features noted blues musician Keb Mo and a new discovery, actor/musician Garry Clark Jr.

Mrs. Adams said the production company had been keeping in touch with the family, sending email updates, mailing copies of festival posters and sharing audience response to the film.

"The movie people have been great about keeping us up to date on what's going on. They are telling us one of the things people who have seen the movie like best are the two little boys, Lonnie and Scratch," his mom says with a big smile.

"And everyone around here keeps asking, 'When is the movie coming out?' It's been really great, all the interest and attention," Absalom adds.

"We've even had people come up to us in Montgomery at the mall and say, 'I saw you on TV,' and ask for my autograph or even offer to pay for my food."

"He's definitely being recognized," his mom agrees.

'A learning experience'

Both mother and son say being a part of a movie set was a real learning experience.

Mrs. Adams, who accompanied Absalom to all location shoots, says she has a much greater appreciation for the art of filmmaking.

"I never realized it takes so much work, time and effort to make a movie. I will never take it for granted again, I'm sure of that," she says.

For Absalom, the hardest part, he says, "was getting everything perfected. Sometimes there were many, many takes."

He recalls the second day of shooting as "a very, very hot one. Every time Nagee and I got a chance, we would look for a shady spot. It was a long day!"

Still, the glorious opportunity to perform in from of a camera made up for it all, Absalom says.

"It was so much fun, being able to do something kids at my school don't get to do everyday," he says.

"He also liked being able to meet the stars, like Danny Glover and YaYa - and sitting right next to them," his mom adds with a chuckle.

Looking through his photo album, Absalom's dark eyes light up when he glimpses a photo of himself with glamorous "America's Next Top Model" finalist DeCosta.

"That was taken at the wrap party. It was a lot of fun. Everybody was so nice," he says.

"Working with Mr. John (Sayles) and Miss Maggie (Renzi, the film's producer) were such good people to work with - really down to earth," his mom adds.

A musical gift

Absalom originally intended to try out for the role of the drummer at the Honeydripper, but was considered too young for the role. Audiences will still get a glimpse of the natural musician inside the GMS student, however.

In one scene, Absalom's character is pretending to tickle the ivories on a board with a drawing of piano keys across it. His movements and gestures were so right, so on the money, Mrs. Adams says, the director could not believe Absalom hadn't had formal musical training.

"I told Mr. John it's just his natural gift from God."

Absalom grew up singing and performing, developing that natural gift within the walls of the church his late father founded and his mother has carried on.

"When his father was still alive, we used to listen to Absalom banging on those drums - he was just a little thing then - and wonder if we had chosen wisely," Mrs. Adams recalls.

"But he has gotten so good at drumming, he has even been asked to join gospel groups and play...I think he's a little young for that, though. He is hoping to go out for the middle school band in the spring."

Absalom, who is also a vocalist, says he is developing his skills on the keyboard and learning to play the guitar as well.

"I really like music - I like my video games, too," he grins.

Since the death of her husband eight years ago, both extended family and her church family have helped greatly in bringing up Absalom, Mrs. Adams says.

"We have gotten so much love and support from family and the community - though of course, we still miss his dad. I know he would be so proud of his boy," his mom says with a smile.

Future plans

Absalom has definitely caught the acting bug. Come January, he plans to try out for a part in "The Nutcracker" in Montgomery.

"We were encouraged to do it, so I am going to do it and let him try. We are also going to get him a Screen Actors Guild card," Mrs. Adams says.

Trying out for commercials is another possibility in Absalom's future.

"We were told he has the perfect look for it," his mom says.

"I think it would be fun to at least try out," Absalom adds with his trademark grin.

In the meantime, Greenville's newest star is looking forward to the Camellia City premiere of his first movie in his own hometown.

What's he planning to wear for his big night?

"Knowing Absalom - it'll be a tuxedo," his mom laughs.