The University of Miami graduate got a little nostalgic with his social media followers as he took a literal walk down memory lane through the campus.  Boasting his Miami green “U” tank top and sandals (clearly enjoying the antithesis of New York winter weather), Henry stood proudly in front of the Jerry Herman Ring Theater, the student performance space that cultivated his budding creativity as well as that of several other notable students.

Never forget where you came from. Before I was ready for Broadway, I honed my performing chops here at the University of Miami’s #JerryHermanRingTheater. This is where the fire was fanned. Just visited today and felt all the feelings again! #AllAboutTheU #humblebeginnings

Inside the theater, it was almost as if Henry had stepped back in time and could see and feel all of the experiences he’d had in the space.  He vividly narrated the memory of his first acting class:

This is the black box theater at the University of Miami. Bruce Miller was the first person to give me an acting class in college.  Freshman year we all sat in a circle here and we said something about where we’re from and what we wanna accomplish in the next four years and there was just so much love here, but it just brings back the craziest memories.  Wow.

After graduating from the Coral Gables campus in 2006, Henry instantly landed a role in Godspell at Papermill Playhouse.  By 2007, the crooner was on Broadway with In the Heights.  Henry played “Tin Man” in The Wiz at City Center and a very sexy “Favorite Son” in American Idiot before earning a 2011 Tony Award nomination for his powerful depiction of Haywood Patterson in Scottsboro Boys.

VIDEO: Where did I learn how to act? University of Miami theater department! #DaU #HumbleBeginnings https://t.co/GEPn2c5O3N

— Joshua Henry (@joshuahenry20) January 5, 2016

I’m counting the days until we get to see many of our favorite Broadway Black stars in Shuffle Along, namely, my boo, Mr. Henry.  I’m also hoping that somewhere in Hamilton’s eternal run (because it’s obviously not going anywhere anytime soon) I will get to see a Joshua Henry portrayal of Aaron Burr. #FangirlFantasy.  Lin Manuel, are you listening??

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She was recently seen on the subway singing the classic song “Home” From The Wiz. BUT she’s got her eye on an even bigger fish. Brandy told us in our Broadway Black Box interview that she wants to come back to Broadway as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. A show that originally starred Ethel Merman in 1946 and had a really popular revival in 1999 with Bernadette Peters, who played the wicked stepmother to Brandy’s Cinderella in the popular television remake. (Reba McEntire did a limited engagement in Annie Get Your Gun back then, much like Brandy is doing in Chicago now) We never seen or heard of a black Annie Oakley buy we’re definitely not opposed.

It was such a surprise to us, so excuse the squeals of excitement as Brandy gives us an exclusive snippet into what she’d sound like as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. We would actually be thrilled to see this and who knows? Maybe this could be Brandy’s Tony winning role or nomination at the very least.

We are so proud to know that she is a Broadway lover and that she’ll be coming back to us soon in one show or another. A revival of Annie Get Your Gun doesn’t sound to shabby now does it?

Watch the video & sound off in the comments of what show you’d want Brandy to return to Broadway with?

Watch our entire interview with the superstar by clicking the link below

BROADWAY BLACK BOX FEATURING BRANDY NORWOOD

The post EXCLUSIVE: The Musical Brandy Would Love To Star In & Its NOT The Wiz appeared first on Broadway Black.

01.01 We go behind the scenes of the Broadway Legacy 2.0 photoshoot with Broadway Legacy creator & director Christian Dante White.

Please visit Broadwaylegacy.com & BrentDundore.com for more

Adriane Lenox (After Midnight, Doubt)

LaChanze (If/Then, The Color Purple)

Amber Iman (Soul Doctor), Marisha Wallace (Something Rotten),

Chondra Profit,(The Lion King),

Marva Hicks (Motown: The Musical, Caroline, Or Change)

Patrice Covington (Motown: The Musical National Tour),

Krystal Joy Brown(Motown: The Musical, Big Fish)

Kimberly Marable (Sister Act, The Lion King)

Candice Marie Woods (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Catch Me If You Can),

Crystal Joy (Motown: The Musical)

Aisha De Haas (Caroline, Or Change, One Mo’ TIme)

Capthia Jenkins (Newsies: The Musical, Caroline, Or Change),

Nikki Renee Daniels (Book Of Mormon, Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess)

Krisha Marcano (Motown: The Musical, The Color Purple)

Maia Nkenge Wilson (The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple)

Jesse Nager (Motown: The Musical, Mary Poppins)

Brandon Victor Dixon (Motown: The Musical, The Color Purple)

Clifton Davis (Aladdin, Two Gentlemen of Verona)

Michael McElroy (Next To Normal, Rent, Big River)

Maurice Murphy (Motown: The Musical, Leap Of Faith)

 Grasan Kingsberry (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Leap Of Faith)

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Make sure to subscribe to Broadway Black on YouTube! Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, too! We need you! #YouAreBroadwayBlack

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He originated the role of Bobby in the Tony-winning musical Memphis. Other NYC: The 25^th Annual…Spelling Bee and The Wiz. Film/TV: “The Good Wife” and “The Electric Company” (the Silent E Soloist). He is a member of the hip-hop improve group Freestyle Love Supreme which you’ll be able to see why in his interview towards the end. He was also seen in one of our favorite new Netflix original series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schimdt as the archnemisis of Tittus Burgess‘ character, Titus.

Fresh from his Tony Award-winning, nightly show-stopping performance in as the beloved Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, as well as Broadway performances in Memphis and Spelling Bee, James Monroe Iglehart makes his 54 Below debut with How the Heck Did I Get Here? James relives his obsession with being cool, getting girls and a becoming a star told through funny childhood stories and songs ranging from R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel and Broadway (and maybe a country tune!). CBS New York says that “Iglehart’s performance is a classic example of traditional song-and-dance Broadway brilliance. His charisma shines almost as bright as his smile, and he has created a genie that you never want to leave the stage. It’s Iglehart’s warmth that seems to leap off the stage and into the delighted hearts of lucky theatergoers of all ages, warmth that is so charming and so magnetic that it’s almost palpable.” Come see the “fun-loving, fast-talking, smooth-singing Genie” that all of Broadway is talking about!

How the Heck Did I Get Here? May 4 & 18, 2015 

GET YOUR TICKERS HERE

Broadway Black Box host, Andrew Shade, sits down with the Tony winning performer to really find out how the heck did he get here! Check out the interview below and don’t forget to comment and tell us what you think!

The post Broadway Black Box Featuring James Monroe Iglehart appeared first on Broadway Black.

With a total of 11 top ten U.S. hits on the Billboard charts over the past 40 years, both singles and albums, Melba Moore sits with the host of Broadway Black Box, Andrew Shade, to discuss how she’s been able to withstand the changes in the industry and what it takes to have a career span decades.

From theatre to music Melba Moore is a force to be reckoned with and she gives us an inside look on how its all done. You might find yourself more than surprised by her journey. She’s done way more than sing with Beyonce in Fighting Tempations. So, make sure you get your tickets for her upcoming concert. April 13th 9:30pm at The Metropolitan Room. Be There! Find out more HERE!

In 1970, Moore was cast as “Lutiebelle” Gussie Mae Jenkins,” opposite Cleavon Little, in the musical Purlie. Originally she was assigned only the title song, but she had such success with it in previews that songwriters Gary Geld and Peter Udell gave her another, “I Got Love.” This song was such a smash hit that it shot Melba to stardom. Not only did it supply the title to her debut album, which earned her a 1971 Grammy nomination as Best New Artist, but it boosted her to the 1970 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, a 1970 Theatre World Award, and a 1970 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance.

The post Broadway Black Box Featuring Melba Moore appeared first on Broadway Black.

If you remember the powerful moment in an episode of Fresh Prince where Will Smith cried because his biological father “didn’t want him”, which is a memory many of us have from childhood, Vereen portrayed that father. Also the Tony Award winners’ list of credits is long. He truly paved the way for Broadway Black to even exist.

A Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse’s Pippin, Mr. Vereen’s Broadway credits include: Wicked, I’m Not Rappaport, Chicago, Hair,Fosse, Jelly’s Last Jam, Jesus Christ Superstar, and A Christmas Carol. In 2010, Ben completed a successful run in the world premiere of Fetch Clay, Make Man, directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) at the McCarter Theatre. Film: Idlewild,All That Jazz, Sweet Charity, Funny Lady (Golden Globe nomination), Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Once Upon a Forest. Television: The legendary television miniseries Roots, How I Met Your Mother (recurring), Grey’s Anatomy (Prism Award), Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Hallmark’s An Accidental Friendship (NAACP nomination),Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, Louis Armstrong – Chicago Style,Ellis Island (Golden Globe Nomination), Anne Rice’s Feast of All Saints, Zoobilee Zoo, and Star Trek – The Next Generation. Ben’s most recent feature film was Paramount Studios’ Top Five starring Chris Rock and is co-starring with Richard Gere in the upcoming Time Out Of Mind.

Watch our interview below as we talk about his upcoming show @ 54 Below (March 17th -21st) and highlight his career and influence in our community and beyond.

Join Ben Vereen at 54 Below for an unforgettable evening of song and story. The Broadway legend returns to our stage with his acclaimed show Steppin’ Out, including new songs! The New York Daily News wrote, “Vereen blows onto the stage with a gale force ready to sweep the audience up, up and away”… so be prepared to be knocked off your feet by this riveting performance. Get Your Tickets HERE!

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