Best Of: Broadway legend André De Shields / Apache Chef Nephi Craig

This section highlights Andre de Shields' remarkable career and personal journey. At 80, he is performing in 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' and has previously won a Tony for 'Hadestown.' His Broadway debut was in 1975 with 'The Wiz.' De Shields discusses his identity as Afroqueer, living with HIV for nearly 50 years, and his lifelong approach of walking like a king—slowly and gracefully despite arthritis and joint pain. He reflects on his early life, education, and how he has always believed his destiny would rise to meet him. The conversation delves into his experiences with HIV, his career’s evolution, and how his performances connect with themes of mythology and storytelling, notably through his role in 'Hades Town.' His perspective on change in Broadway, inclusion of Black artists, and his personal philosophy of self-expression are central themes.

De Shields explores how Greek myths, especially the story of Hermes in 'Hades Town,' resonate with his own life and identity. He discusses the African proverb Sankofa, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's roots to move forward. His embodiment of Hermes becomes a reflection on life's mysteries, death, and cultural history, especially relating to his experience as a Black man, HIV survivor, and performer. He relates personal challenges—such as his health and early career struggles—to larger themes of storytelling, cultural memory, and the importance of legacy.

This section addresses the changes in Broadway's landscape from the 1970s to now. De Shields credits the success of 'The Wiz' for opening doors for Black artists, transforming Broadway into a more inclusive space. He discusses the historic lack of opportunities for Black performers and how investment in Black stories and audiences has shifted that dynamic. His reflections include the importance of representation and the ongoing challenges to diversify the theater industry.

Nephi Craig shares his background, growing up on the White Mountain Apache and Navajo reservations and how indigenous foods played a crucial role in his life. He discusses his struggles with addiction and incarceration, where cooking in jail became a turning point. Craig emphasizes the significance of native ingredients like acorns, squash, and fry bread in his culinary identity, and how reclaiming indigenous cuisine offers cultural validation and healing. He launched a restaurant and founded the Native American Culinary Association, using food as a means of recovery and cultural preservation, as detailed in his memoir, 'Our Knives Will Save Us.' His insights connect traditional indigenous foods with modern culinary innovation and personal resilience.

The discussion centers on how traditional foods like acorns, squash, and fry bread are integral to Native American culture. Craig explains the historical and contemporary significance of these ingredients, challenging stereotypes about indigenous cuisine (e.g., fry bread’s origins linked to colonial food rations). He underscores how indigenous foods are woven into American history and how food traditions serve as acts of cultural survival and healing. His narrative emphasizes reclaiming indigenous culinary practices as tools for community health and identity.