The most common rule broken however, and the one that is most distracting for audience members and actors alike, is the cell phone rule. Not just cell phones going off loudly when they should be on silent, but audience members texting during the show (for which Patti LuPone has no problem snatching the phone from you), accepting phone calls during the show (seriously?), and even trying to get in a quick charge on the shows set before the performance begins (even if it does look like a real outlet, it’s not. That’s the magic of a great scenic designer/technical director, my friend).

The thing I like most about seeing theatre is the fact that it is live. There are no do-overs; what you see is what you get. The actors on that stage give their all eight times a week, after weeks and months of preparing, to bring a particular piece to life. So imagine as an actor on stage, telling this dynamic story in character in front of an audience of 100 + people, and looking down to see a flash of light, a head down, and fingers typing away. The audience member is completely disconnected from what’s happening on stage, and is probably causing those around him/her to be distracted. Now there’s a domino effect of people not engaging in the material the way the actors, director, designers, and writers fully intended to do. It’s disrespectful. Patti LuPone said it best in an official statement;

“We work hard on stage to create a world that is being totally destroyed by a few, rude, self-absorbed, and inconsiderate audience members who are controlled by their phones. They cannot put them down. When a phone goes off or when a LED screen can be seen in the dark it ruins the experience for everyone else – the majority of the audience at that performance and the actors on stage. I am so defeated by this issue that I seriously question whether I want to work on stage anymore. Now I’m putting battle gear on over my costume to marshall the audience as well as perform.”

The next time you go to see a show, text/call everyone in advance and let them know you won’t be available for the next two hours and put that phone on silent and leave it alone. I promise you; Instagram will be there when it’s over.

The post Theatre Etiquette 101: That Screen Is Brighter Than It Appears appeared first on Broadway Black.

I was fortunate enough to see the show last week and can genuinely say it was such a treat to watch her in action. She brings her own flare to “Roxie” that is so uniquely Brandy and is so fitting for the character. Those runs? I see you Brandy. I see you. She’ll make you laugh, she’ll make you cry, but most importantly she’ll make you root for a character that can be questionably unethical. To me, that’s what a really good performance is supposed to do.

Brandy started her run as “Roxie Hart” April 28 and originally was supposed to end her run June 21, however due to rave reviews and popular demand her run was extended until August 2nd. Chicago marks Brandy’s Broadway debut — though it isn’t her first musical. She starred opposite Whitney Houston in the 1997 TV adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. But make no mistake, we doubt that this will be Brandy’s last time on the Great White Way, in fact she even said so herself in her exclusive interview with Broadway Black that she would love to come back to Broadway as “Annie Oakley” in Annie Get Your Gun (Come on Broadway producers! Let’s make this happen!).

For tickets and showtimes to see Brandy give ’em that old Razzle Dazzle in Chicago, visit ChicagoTheMusical.com.

The post Brandy Brings Her Chicago Run To A Close – Final Week! appeared first on Broadway Black.

You could say it’s in the genes. While Jennifer Hudson gears up for her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in The Color Purple, her son five-year old David Daniel Otunga Jr. could well be on his way to join her on the Great White Way.

A few weeks ago, Hudson posted a video on Instagram of the duo singing Wiz Khalifas “When I See You Again”, and as you probably figured it was adorable. Captioned as “Boss Baby felt like singing too,” little David is clearly singing his heart out and giving his all.

Boss baby felt like singing

A video posted by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Jul 12, 2015 at 5:37pm PDT

Jennifer sat down with the Today Show last week to discuss her upcoming role on Broadway and her little future Broadway star that she says, “has the gene [singing gene].” Like mother, like son. And if you thought the five-year old was afraid of the Big Apple, think again.

“He’s excited,” said Hudson. “He’s like, ‘Mommy? So we’re moving to New York? When are we moving?’ And every time we come throughout the summer, he’s like, ‘Are we here to stay now?'”

Boss Baby will get his wish soon enough, as The Color Purple begins previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre November 10, with opening night set for Thursday, December 3

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Alice Walker, The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Also starring in the revival are Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks. The Color Purple tells the story of a woman named “Celie” as she navigates her life in rural Georgia in the early 1900s. The original Broadway production opened in 2005 with LaChanze, who won a Tony for her performance in the leading role of “Celie”. This revival will be directed by John Doyle, whose stripped-down production opened in London on July 15, 2013. The new staging cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original musical.

Tickets are available now online here and by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets will be made available in person at the box office starting this fall. In the meantime, Jennifer Hudson’s version of “Too Beautiful For Words” is still available to download, that should be enough to hold you over until November, just like Boss Baby David, we’re excited too.

The post Jennifer Hudson’s Son Could Be Next In Line For Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.

The cast will also feature Todd Almond, SNL player Taran Killam (who was recently in New York City Center’s Little Shop of Horrors) as the Cyclops; and Lucan Caleb Rooney as Antinous. The show will feature cameo group performances by The Bobby Lewis Ensemble, The D.R.E.A.M. Ring, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana II, The Marching Cobras, The New York Youth Symphony, and TADA! Youth Theater.

Homer’s “The Odyssey,” written in the 8th century BC, is one of the oldest surviving pieces of Western literature. It tells the story of the Greek war hero Ulysses’s return home after the Trojan War, which covers ten years of wandering after he becomes lost in the Mediterranean sea.

The Public Theater’s Public Works program, now in its third year, creates productions of participatory theater in partnership with community organizations from all five boroughs of New York City. The concept is inspired by the 1900’s movement of civic pageantry, known for blending mass spectacle with community engagement. This year the five Public Works community partner organizations are Children’s Aid Society (Manhattan);DreamYard Project (Bronx); Fortune Society (Queens); Brownsville Recreation Center (Brooklyn); and Domestic Workers United (all boroughs, including Staten Island).

Directed by Lear deBessonet, The Odyssey will run for four nights only, September 4-7.  Tickets to The Odyssey are free and will be distributed, two per person, at noon on the day of the show at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park or via the Virtual Ticketing lottery at Public Theater.

The post Brandon Victor Dixon To Star in The Odyssey At The Public Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

Aida is loosely based on Giuseppe Verdi’s 1871 opera, brought to life by the team that brought us Lion King: Elton John wrote the score and lyrics are by Tim Rice. Aida is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love.

Ms. Boswell is no stranger to the role. In 2008, the Virginia Musical Theatre was one of the first regional theaters to gain rights to the show after its Broadway run ended in 2004. Boswell starred in the title role and received rave reviews for her performance. Hampton Roads wrote about Boswell:

She rips into those ballads with a ferocity that would daunt any Egyptian captor. Acting wise, she brings a nobility and fierce anger to the part that is tempered by femininity when love takes over. She has the diva thing down pat, with every hint that she deserves the crown. Boswell is mezzo magnificent.

Boswell was most recently seen as Aldonza in Barrington Stage Company’s production of Man of La Mancha in Massachusetts. Inspired by Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th-century satirical novel “Don Quixote,” Man of La Mancha tells a story rich in chivalry, romance, idealism, tilting at windmills, and dreaming “The Impossible Dream.” Man of La Mancha features a book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. The production ran from June 10 until July 11, under the direction of Julianna Boyd.

Performances of Cleveland Musical Theatre’s Aida will occur at 8:00PM on Saturday, July 25th and at 2:00PM on Sunday, July 26th. In addition to the performance, one hour before the show the theatre will have a presentation about itself and the educational program, Making It On Broadway. The show also stars Christina DeCicco, Jared Zirilli, and Timothy Warmen. You can RSVP for the show from their website here.

Check out Felicia singing “The Gods Love Nubia” from Aida below!

The post Felicia Boswell Goes From Aldonza To Aida appeared first on Broadway Black.

GO GREEN: Pop Up! is a free pop-up festival, that will our ability to sustain ourselves while embracing the unpredictable nature of our environment. Using environmental elements–such as water, earth, fire and air–as a guide, a collection of artists ranging from theater to dance to music will create site-specific performances exploring the magical and volatile nature of our Earth.

GO GREEN is an annual performance event started by The Movement Theatre Company that focused on giving artists of color a place to explore sustainability and the natural world. The event challenges these artists to utilize sustainable practices, while utilizing NYC community gardens and parks to creating theatre. By working in these public settings, the aim is to connect with and inspire members of the communities to learn about and take part in the evolving green movement. This year’s event is co-produced with Radical Evolution. Both companies share the commitment to creating, producing, and supporting work done by emerging artists of color that are based in NYC.

In addition to the Pop Up! performances by artists Eboni Hogan, Andrei Matorin, Sonia Villani, Raquel Almazan, and Ebony Golden, there will also be live music, drinks, food & craft vendors, and an Open Mic from 5:00 till 6:30 hosted by Robyn Hood.

Schedule of Events:
3:00 – 3:45 Live Music
3:45 – 5:00 Pop Up Performances (Round 1)
5:00 – 6:30 Open Mic
6:45 – 7:15 Live Music
7:15 – 8:15 Pop Up Performances (Round 2)
8:15 – 9:00 Music & Dancing

The event is from 3pm until 9pm at Urban Garden Center located at 1640 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035 (116th St/Park) and admission into the event is FREE, though there is a suggested donation of $10. You can RSVP at the website here and sign up for the open mic night by contacting them via email at tmtcsubmit@gmail.com.

The post The Movement Theatre Company Presents GO GREEN: Pop Up! appeared first on Broadway Black.

UPDATE: 2nd installment is here! View the Hip Hop Musicals’ “Watch Me Whip” video below.

36-year-old Davis is able to make lyrics such as, “Married to the money, introduced her to my stove” sound a whole lot classier, dressed in a black dress while Ferguson dressed in a suit and tie plays the keys.

Ferguson, who is both a writer and producer, will join Davis for dates on her Frenchie Davis Experience tour, which Davis described as a “cabaret act.”

Davis most recently appeared in The Invisible Life at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The show starred Tony winners Brenda Braxton and Vivian Reed with music by Ashford and Simpson. The show is based on the novel by E. Lynn Harris. Davis’ other theater credits include a role in Broadways’s Rent and touring companies of Dreamgirls and Ain’t Misbehavin’, which also featured fellow Idol stars Ruben Studdard and Trenyce Cobbins.

Check out the rendition below, I assure you, you will never be able to listen to Trap Queen the same way again! (Where can I buy this version on iTunes?)

Trap Queen

Watch Me Whip

The post Frenchie Davis & Wilkie Ferguson Turn Trap Queen Into A Musical Ballad + Watch Me Whip appeared first on Broadway Black.

Even the Secret Service couldn’t stop their dancing feet! Harvey Fierstein tweeted, that at curtain call Secret Service agents tried to get them to leave, but instead they stayed around to dance and clap in the aisles.

After the show, the First Lady left the cast a letter (on official White House card stock!) apologizing for not making it backstage to thank them personally, the note read,

“This show was amazing! My mom, daughters and I really loved every minute. I would have loved to personally give my congratulations, but we would have had to shut down this area to do it. Thank you for a memorable experience. Warmly, Michelle Obama.” How sweet!

Check the full note below!

FLOTUS is no stranger to hit Broadway musicals.Last week the White House welcomed the cast of Aladdin to perform a selection of highlights from the hit musical at The White House Kids’ State Dinner. It gets even better because Michelle Obama then joins them on stage for a sing-a-long version the popular song, “Friend Like Me.” Check the video out below!

The post Michelle Obama & Family Visit Kinky Boots + Sing Aladdin’s Friend Like Me appeared first on Broadway Black.

Under the direction of Thomas Kail and featuring a book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton is inspired by the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

From bastard orphan to Washington’s right hand man, rebel to war hero, loving husband caught in the country’s first sex scandal to Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy, Hamilton is an exploration of a political mastermind.

Miranda stars in the title role, the cast also includes Jonathan Groff as King George III, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton, Daveed Diggs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler and Javier Muñoz as Hamilton alternate.

The company will additionally feature Jasmine Cephas Jones, Okieriete Onaodowan, Carleigh Bettiol, Andrew Chappelle, Ariana DeBose, Alysha Deslorieux, Sydney James Harcourt, Neil Haskell, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Stephanie Klemons, Morgan Marcell, Emmy Raver-Lampan, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephraim Sykes and Voltaire Wade-Greene.

Hamilton features set design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and Alex Lacamoire as musical director.
Tickets are in high demand and are now available for show dates falling between Nov. 24 through Mar 27, 2016. Get them here or by calling 877-250-2929. Tickets are also sold at the Richard Rodgers Theatre Box Office from 10 am till 8 pm, Monday through Saturday.

As previously announced two-and-half hours before each performance patrons may enter their name outside the theater for a chance to buy up to two $10 front row tickets. Winner’s names will be drawn two hours before show time. Entrants must present photo ID, and the winners must pay with cash at the box office.

The post Highly Anticipated Musical Hamilton Begins Its Reign appeared first on Broadway Black.

Stay in bed, open up your laptop and just go online. Yes, you read that correctly, go online. The Tony-Award winning production of Kinky Boots will institute a new digital ticket lottery policy beginning this Monday, July 13, replacing the current in-person lottery, which will cease operations on July 11.

Entries will be accepted online beginning at the curtain time of the previous performance and close three and a half hours before curtain of the desired performance. There’s a limit of one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Lottery tickets are priced at $37 each and are subject to seating availability.

Inspired by the 2005 British film of the same title, Kinky Boots features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Tony Award winner Billy Porter stars as Lola, a sassy drag performer who helps rejuvenate a failing shoe factory by designing boots for his fellow drag queens.

In other lottery news, another highly-anticipated Broadway show just announced it’s newest venture, $10 lottery tickets for Hamilton (!).  What makes this even better, is that the tickets are for the entire front row of seats (!!). The show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda announced the news on Twitter. Like traditional lottery rules, the winner’s names will be drawn two hours before show time. Entrants must present photo ID, and the winners must pay with cash at the box office.

From bastard orphan to Washington’s right hand man, rebel to war hero, loving husband caught in the country’s first sex scandal to Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy, Hamilton is an exploration of a political mastermind. It begins Broadway previews July 13, with opening night set for August 6.

The post Kinky Boots Ticket Lottery Goes Digital + Hamilton Announces A New $10 Lottery appeared first on Broadway Black.