TONY'S WORLD

By ADAM

TONY ALLEN FELTON, writer extraordanaire (playwright/stage director ["MR. & MRS."/"THE NAKED SERIES"]), film, television, journals), and humanitarian has worked the Corporate world of General Electric to the glorious CBS Records days of the Michael Jackson era. He has been a bike-messenger and he knows his way around with a mop and a broom, cleaning some of New York City's finest and nastiest toilets. He writes three (3) columns for The New York Beacon newspaper ("If I Can...You Can!" "Health & Fitness" & "Loving It!" ). Just recently he worked a second Christmas season at the Radio City Music Hall (" 'Tis the season for giving," he shares, "and I get fired for accepting a tip. Go figure.").  But now he is the man behind the mojo, better known as MORE JOY Productions, LLC.  An entertainment company he declares will revolutionize the show-business world, bringing more joy to the world and to its people. 

Making his way through the hallways of NBC's The TODAY Show (when Katie and Matt were together) after having interviewed members of the first ever TODAY Show Book club, he remembers trying hard to be as humble and as grateful as possible; speaking to Katie who happens to be from his home state of Virginia, "She very nicely said to me, 'Today, it's all about you.'"  He still keeps the photo he took with Ms. Couric and Mr. Lauer on that day and freshly remembers that not all people have been so kind. Often thought of as one who would never win the 'Mr. Humility' contest, he remembers an incident in a New York club; befriended by a couple who took him to the VIP room. During the course of what he thought was a very nice conversation, the man looked him in the face and said, "You think you're something don't you just because you're young and gook-looking." Incredulous? "Man, shucks," Tony remembers, "I was there looking for an agent to represent me. I wasn't even thinking about how good I looked. But am I arrogant? Cocky? I prefer to think of myself as assured and confident. But it is all such a thin line we walk in this business when you are trying to tell the world you have something to offer. There is or was an old-saying that used to hang in the Boston Garden: it said, 'We will not be denied.' I have come to adopt the credo for myself. Those who can't lived with that, just please get out of my way." 

Academy Award Nominee, Laurence Fishburne ("I knew him when he was 'Larry,' Tony shares), Jasmine Guy, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Barry Sonnenfeld, Spike Lee, Giancarlo Esposito, Esai Morales, Melvin Van Peebles, Congressman Charles Rangel, Dr./Novelist Ian Smith, Tiki Barber, Richard 'Pee-Wee' Kirkland, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Jamal Crawford, Joe Smith, Walt 'Clyde' Frazier, Sam Cowart, Shawn & Shane Ward, members of The New York City Rockettes, members of  The South African Theater Festival (Lincoln Center), Mrs. Chris Rock, Wanda Skyes, Harry Belafonte, Eartha Kitt, Rhonda Ross Kendricks, New York City television personalities Roz Abrams, Maurice DuBois, Mike Woods, Marvel Scott, and all of the other not so famous personalities, to name a few, that have seen their name in print followed by the 'by-line' of 'Tony Felton'.  Call him what you like if you think you know him; but one think is certain: you can almost believe him when he says, "I will not be denied."                      

"Tony can be a real pain, sometimes, but he has done great, sometimes brilliant, work for our newspaper." (Walter & Miatta Smith, Publishers of The New York Beacon)



ADAM: Who is your favorite writer?
Tony: That's easy. The authors of the Bible. People who have not read the Book, think it is just a bunch of 'do's and dont's.' But everything is in there. Every plot twist, personality; intriguing story lines. If the Bible was made into a film, verbatim, it would be X-rated. The Love that King David had for Jonathan; that JESUS had for HIS disciples. So pure, so deep, so non-sexual. I love it!
ADAM: Your favorite director? Spielberg?
Tony: Spielberg? I have much respect for him, but he is not the one. Billy Wilder is the man!
ADAM: Who?
Tony: Who? 'The Detective Story' with Kirk Douglas, 'Stalag 17' with William Holden, 'Funny Girl' with Barbra Streisand, Bette Davis' 'The Little Foxes', 'Some Like It Hot' with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe. Billy Wilder was the man! I want to direct films like that! I'm old-school with no shame. 
ADAM: Talk about MOJO.
Tony: Gladly! I have waited eleven years for that 'baby' to be born.  And now she will give birth to a plethora, I lovvvve that word, a plethora of theatrical extravaganzas! The name-More Joy-I love it! So positive, so uplifting!  
ADAM: What makes you so sure of MOJO's success?
Tony: I believe. No one really knows anything. But I believe so strongly. I have to! I can't get into this thing with my head down, trying to appear humble. I walk upright, proclaiming fiercely, I know what I can do! I don't spend time dwelling on what I cannot do in life. You put me on a basketball court and I turn into a skunk. You put a PC in my face with a good story idea, I am the man!
ADAM: So is that what it's all about? Being the man? Going to the Academy Awards and making lots of money?
Tony: I don't deny it. I'm all about great works of art and winning awards, and yes I want to make lots of money. But truthfully, how many houses can you live in at one time? How many cars can you drive at one time? How many thousand dollar suits can you wear at one time? How many women can I make love to at one time? My penis is not that big. One good woman to be my wife, that's all I need. But at the same time, how can I pay someone else's rent if my rent is due? How many people can I feed if I'm hungry? How can I clothe you if I'm running around naked?  It's really all about being blessed to bless others. Helping someone else get it together. Improving the lives of others. That's really the bottom line.