The story follows a Black actress through rehearsals of a major Broadway production and tackles the issues involving racism, identity, and ego, within New York theatre. The play also discusses issues in the Civil Rights Movement and feminist movement. Opening Off-Broadway in 1955, Childress’ play was set to move to Broadway in 1957, however, it never grew to fruition.

Today, the anticpated story will be directed by Charles Randolph-Wright follow two development readings. Additionally, another Childress’s piece titled Wine in the Wilderness was presented through Roundabout’s The Refocus Project in partnership with the Black Theatre United. This project highlighted 20th century plays by Black playwrights.

The creative team will include set designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Emilo Sosa, lighting designer Kathy A. Perkins, sound designer Dan Moses Schreier, and composer Nona Hendyx.

Recently, Lachanze was seen as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol. Her originated the role of Celie in the Original Broadway Cast of The Color Purple which earned her a Tony Award. She also has starred in shows such as Once On This Island and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which respectively earned her Tony nominations and If/Then, Dreamgirls, and Company. 

Additional cast members for Trouble in Mind will be annouced soon. For more infomation on the production, please visit HERE.

The post LaChanze Set to Star in Broadway Premiere of Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind appeared first on Broadway Black.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, “In The Heights” tells the residents’ story in the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan, NY. Tony nominee Cory Hawkins will play Benny alongside Anthony Ramos, who plays the main character of Usnavi, and singer/songwriter Leslie Grace who plays Nina. The production will be streaming on HBOMax and premiering in theatres simultaneously.

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Following the release of “In The Heights” in June, “West Side Story” is slated for release in December 2021. This adaptation will be directed by Stephen Speilberg and stars David Alvarez, Ariana Debose, Rachel Zegler, and Ansel Elgort. Everyone is ready to dive into Tony and Maria’s romance and get caught up in the kids’ twists and twirls in the Upper West Side. The cast is rounded out with Rita Moreno, who played the role of Anita in the 1961 film, this time around, she will be seen on screen as Valentina, newly created role.

 

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“Dear Evan Hansen” is another adaptation set for release in September, with Ben Platt reprising his award-winning role. The Stephen Chbosky directed film will be bringing the gripping tale to the big screen and delivering an all-star cast. Amandla Stenberg is set to play Alana Beck alongside Kaitlyn Denver, who plays Evan’s crush, Zoe Murphy.

Other musical adaptations that are slated for release may be arriving a little later than this year, but we are excited to hear about them all the same. With the top must-see being “The Color Purple.” The film adaptation is set for release in December of 2023 and directed by Blitz Bazawule (Beyonce’s Black Is King). Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Steven Spielberg will be producing, and with the film currently in development, there hasn’t been any word about casting. Still, with star power like that behind the scenes, you can guarantee that the cast will be just as phenomenal.

The post Music to My Ears: Movie Musical Adaptations Coming Soon appeared first on Broadway Black.

Jeremy O. Harris. Photo courtesy of HBO

This appears to be an amazing year for playwright Jeremy O. Harris as Concord Theatricals has secured the rights for Slave Play to be licensed by professional theaters! 

Slave Play rose to fame in 2019 with gaining 12 Tony Award nominations including Best Play. Harris has also recently created a new play collection for Black playwrights and has partnered with New York Theatre Workshop to set forth $50,000 for new stage works.

Paul Alexander Nolan (Jim) and Joaquina Kalukango (Kaneisha). Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy

Since its premiere on Broadway, the play has continued to break barriers and spark conversations in the industry on race relations, interracial relationships, and the power of the Black voice. 

Slave Play will be released exclusively through Concord’s Samuel French. For more information visit HERE!

The post “Slave Play” May Be On Its Way to a Theater Near You! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Luckily for me and you, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy the Mykal experience. He’s performing at the Apollo Theater on Friday, February 5 at 10pm, as part of  The Apollo Music Café series. 

Kilgore was recently seen on NBC’s broadcast of The Wiz Live! But he stole my heart with his rendition of “Crush on You” by Lyons & Pakchar. He snatched my edges with the Broadway Black exclusive video of “Defying Gravity.” He slayed me with his rendition of “My Heart Will Go On. And brought me back to life in The First Noel at The Classical Theatre of Harlem. On the stage, Kilgore has been seen in Hair, Motown the Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Marley. 

All extraness aside, Kilgore has surpassed someone to take notice of, he’s here. Living his best life.

Mykal Kilgore is originally from Florida and grew up in the church as one of nine children. His gospel roots are evident in his sound, which successfully combines a touch of gospel, soul and doo-wop. He attended Florida State University where he fell in love with theatre. Currently, Kilgore has been making waves with his work with Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern JukeBox, a rotating group of musicians producing covers of pop songs in jazz, ragtime, and swing styles. The group takes modern pop songs from artists like Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion and Lordes and reworks them into amazing vintage jazz and pop renditions. Be on the look out for his solo album coming later in 2016.

The Apollo Music Cafe Series is designed “to bring independent, cutting-edge artists to a forward-thinking audience.” This event was Curated by Dwight Jordan and will feature DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry. Get tickets HERE.

Take a look at what happened the last time Mykal was in concert below. We were there!

The post Mykal Kilgore Brings Life To The Apollo Theater’s Music Cafe appeared first on Broadway Black.

BB: So is this a good transition for you into the theatre community?

AR: Yes. (laughs) I already knew you were gonna ask me that. 

BB: Is there an ideal role that you have?

AR: Yes there is and I can’t talk about it yet. 

BB: For another time?

AR: (Still laughing) Yes for another time. 

The post Amber Riley Will Play Effie in ‘Dreamgirls’ on the West End appeared first on Broadway Black.

I’ve been given the opportunity by the August Wilson estate, he did 10 plays—I’m directing, producing and acting in one, and I’m executive producing the other nine. I made a deal with HBO. We’re going to do one a year for the next nine years.

Fences is the sixth play in Wilson’s provocative and avant garde ten play spread known as The Century Cycle, which explores African American life beginning in the 1900’s and ending in the 1990’s. This play is set in 1950’s Pittsburgh. It is the story of Troy Maxson, ‘a restless trash-collector and former baseball athlete struggling to provide for his family’. The film adaptation will be directed, produced by and will also star Washington along with Emmy and Tony award winning actress Viola Davis. Washington and Davis are reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival of the play.  Fences was not a part of the HBO deal and is instead slated to be filmed by Paramount with producer Scott Rudin. In 1987, Paramount Pictures bought the rights to Fences, but the project floundered because Wilson had the absolute foresight to insist that the project should have a Black director. Understandably, Paramount did not move forward with the adaptation without Wilson’s approval.

Kushner has an impressive list of successes that include most notably the seven hour, 2 part play Angels in America that explored AIDS and homosexuality in 1980’s New York. The play was later adapted into a powerful mini series by HBO. Additionally, Kushner and Rudin have worked together previously on several other projects.

Certainly, it’s exciting that the adaptation of Fences seems to finally be moving forward but the question that is becoming less of a thought and more of a roar, is at what point will African Americans be granted the full opportunity to participate in the telling of their own stories? While I am not throwing shade at the accomplishments of Kushner, isn’t this a prime opportunity for an African American screenwriter to have the opportunity to participate at the very highest level of the creative process on a play that is truly beloved by many Black theatre aficionados? Surely there is no doubt that with the plethora of smoking hot Black playwrights who are turning Broadway and the silver screen  on its previously lily white ear, we could have found one, two an entire TEAM of writers who could fully embrace the magic of the venerable August Wilson?

Simply put, there must be more. And it begins by boldly throwing open the doors and saying welcome at every level of the production process. I will be happy to see Fences reach a broader audience. I am thrilled that Washington has been entrusted with this wonderful opportunity and that the amazing Viola Davis is again a part of the cast, but I can’t lie I just AIN’T satisfied and won’t be satisfied until I see our reflection peeking out from every aspect of Broadway and Hollywood; particularly when it comes to OUR stories. It’s progress, but still we must press on.

The post Tony Kushner Joins Denzel Washington For Fences Film Adaptation appeared first on Broadway Black.

Vereen is currently touring the show with stops throughout the United States, Europe, and Abu Dhabi. Stepping Out is billed as “a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.” During the performance, audiences are treated to classics such as  “Defying Gravity,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “For Good” from Wicked and “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.”

Vereen first performed the show at 54 Below in 2012 to rave reviews. Stephen Holden of the N.Y. Times commented that Vereen is “an old-school song and dance man who never lets up. He wins you over with his sheer energy, good will and showbiz know-how. The excitement he generates is what matters.”

Ben Vereen’s Performs at 54 Below in 2012

Vereen won a Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for his show-stopping performance in Bob Fosse’s Pippin. He also was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as “Judas” in Jesus Christ Superstar. His other Broadway credits include Wicked, I’m Not Rappaport, Chicago, Hair, Fosse, Jelly’s Last Jam, and A Christmas Carol.

Vereen’s television guest appearances include How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy (for which he won the Prism Award), Hot in Cleveland, NCIS, House of Payne, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, OZ, Star Trek – The Next Generation, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

All performances begin at 7:00pm and doors open at 5:15pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

The post Ben Vereen Returns to Feinstein’s/54 Below appeared first on Broadway Black.

Back in October Broadway Black reported that John Legend and T.I were developing music for the new musical, The Spongebob Musical and now it’s found it’s cast.

The SpongeBob Musical cast will star Ethan Slater as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gavin Lee as Squidward,  Nick Blaemire as Plankton,  Lilli Cooper as Sandy Cheeks, Carlos Lopez as Mr. Krabs,and  Danny Skinner as Patrick. The Spongebob Musical is co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau (Head Of Passes), book by Kyle Jarrow, orchestrations, arrangements & music supervision by Tom Kitt with choreography by Christopher Gattelli.

In addition to Legend and T.I, Grammy Award winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams is attached to have new music for the project as well.

A legendary roster of Grammy Award winners. A visionary director and Tony Award®-winning design team. One of the world’s most beloved and unforgettable characters. Turn them all loose on Broadway and what do you get?

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL!

Acclaimed Steppenwolf director Tina Landau and the groundbreaking designers behind Fun Home, Hedwig, and Spring Awakening have brilliantly reimagined Bikini Bottom for the Broadway stage, bringing the spirit of SpongeBob to life with humanity, heart, and pure theatricality. With an original score from some of the biggest names in pop and rock, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL explodes with energy.

Stakes are higher than ever before as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage.Get ready to dive to all-new depths of theatrical innovation at THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, where the power of optimism really can save the world!

The SpongeBob Musical will begin performances on Tuesday, June 7 at Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, July 3, 2016. Are ya ready kids?

The post Lilli Cooper And More Set For The Spongebob Musical in Chicago appeared first on Broadway Black.

Anthony recently joined the producing team of the upcoming Broadway production of Eclipsed – the war drama written by playwright and “The Walking Dead” and “All Eyez on Me” actress Danai Gurira that stars Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o.

The play’s successful Off-Broadway run had celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, and Common singing its praises and apparently Anthony was impressed, as well.

I am honored to champion and be actively involved in a production with such social and cultural merit and courageous storytelling.

— LA LA (@lala) January 21, 2016

The play, set in 2003 near the end of the civil war in Liberia, is about the survival and resilience of a group of women who are captives of rebels fighting the government. Nyong’o, who made her screen debut in “12 Years a Slave,” stars in the role of the “Girl,” the youngest of four captive wives of a rebel commander.

In addition to Nyong’o, the cast also features several Broadway performers, including Saycon Sengbloh (Hair, The Color Purple and Wicked), as well as Pascale Armand (The Trip to Bountiful), Akosua Busia (Mule Bone), and Zainab Jah (In Darfur).

Eclipsed is directed by Liesl Tommy, who staged the play’s premiere at the Woolly Mammoth Theater in Washington in 2009.

Since getting her start on MTV’s Total Request Live, Anthony has spread her wings and built a solid career in acting and business. She’s currently appearing in the Starz original drama series, “Power”, starring Omari Hardwick and Naturi Naughton. Her other acting credits include “Think Like a Man,” “Think Like a Man, Too”, “Baggage Claim”, and “Two Can Play That Game.” Anthony also has starred in her own reality series “Lala’s Full-Court Life” on VH1. Eclipsed isn’t her first foray into producing as she was a producer on Mike Tyson’s critically acclaimed documentary, “Tyson.”

Previews of Eclipsed begin February 23, 2016, with an official opening March 6, 2016 at the John Golden Theatre.

The post Lala Anthony Signs On To Produce Eclipsed On Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.

The five-day conference is hosted by world-renowned Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in Denver, CO, and will feature performances by some the Black dance world’s elite and emerging companies. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Atlanta Dance Connection, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, IMAGINE…Dance Theater of Camden, and Philadanco! The Philadelphia Dance Company are among 30 dance companies who will perform a broad spectrum of dance genres and styles.

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founder and artistic director of Urban Bush Women will present the keynote at the historic event, which has been called a celebration of “dance from the African Diaspora.”

According to Malik Robinson, executive director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, “Culture is a powerful factor in the self-determination equation. Black dance does not exist without critical thought, study, examination and discipline.”

The conference also will offer dance master classes, development workshops and panel sessions, lecture demonstrations, and networking for dance pre-professionals and professionals. Additionally, IABD will host its 1st Annual Ballet Audition for Women of Color with more than 15 participating U.S. premier ballet companies on January 24.

The IABD was founded to preserve and promote dance by people of African ancestry or origin, and assists and increases opportunities for artists in networking, funding, performance, education, audience development, philosophical dialogue, touring and advocacy.

For more information on the conference and to register, visit here.

The post Black Dance Rising: IABD Presents 28th Annual Dance Conference appeared first on Broadway Black.