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.

Leakes took to the stage on the set of the popular daytime talk show The View, with Tony Award winner Whoopi Goldberg & Raven-Symone (who is black, even if she doesn’t want to labled as such, & made her Broadway debut in Sister Act! a few years ago). The interview was a little awkward with the co-hosts taking small insulting jabs at NeNe’s personal home life. However, nothing was more awkward than when Nene started singing. The claps and the praise seemed sincere but we couldn’t help but to feel a certain bit of tension listening. You can also tell Nene was a little nervous. Watch the clip below.

Now, Nene is a self proclaimed Shade Queen and she felt that shade and later tweeted this after her appearance on the show:

She has since deleted the tweet but glad that Nene handled herself with class & dignity in response to the snide remarks & vibe from the hosts. Great job on those acting skills, Nene. Bring that to Broadway.

Now, tell us, what do you think of Nene Leakes’ singing voice? 

The post Nene Leakes Showcases Her Singing Voice on The View appeared first on Broadway Black.

1. Hamilton in Cabinet Battle #1

“A civics lesson from a slaver. Hey neighbor, your debts are paid cuz you don’t pay for labor.”

Meaning: We all know slaves were the backbone of this entire country. Hamilton wasn’t afraid to remind Jefferson of that. It’s the thing we probably would have said to Jefferson if we could.

2. Angelica in “Satisfied”

“So this is what it feels like to match wits with someone at your level. What the hell is the catch?”

Meaning: Pretty self explanatory. Everyone wants their equal. However, what makes this line so cool is Angelica is the only sister that gets to rap in the play, and quite fast. Angelica is truly the only one that can keep up with him in a way. I see you, Lin.

3. Lafayette in “Guns & Ships”

“I’m taking this horse by the reins making Redcoats redder with bloodstains.”

Meaning: This entire song is rapped so fast, I miss most of it. However, this line particularly about the Redcoats getting redder with blood stains is awesome, violent, and bold.

4. Angelica in “Schuyler Sisters”

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”

Meaning: This is a line in the Declaration of Independence. But when they said “all men,” they mean land-owning white men. To have a Black woman recite these lines that weren’t mean for us, followed with the lines “When I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’mma compel him to include women in the sequel.” The greatest.

5. Thomas Jefferson in “Washington On Your Side” 

“If Washington isn’t gonna listen to disciplined dissidents, this is the difference; this kid is out.”

Meaning: Did Jefferson just quit? I think so. Also, the alliteration of these lyrics is amazing.

6. Hamilton in “Cabinet Battle #2”

“A game of chess, where France is Queen and Kingless.”

Meaning: Burn! Chess is alluded to a lot in this musical. Queen and King are the most important pieces in a game. Hamilton is relating the current state of France to chess to show they really aren’t worth the fight.

7. King George III in “You’ll Be Back”

“You’ll be back soon; you’ll see. You remember you belong to me.”

Meaning: He’s talking about the U.S of A, you know? Britain thought they owned us for a period of time, and they did. But soon we broke “free.” This entire song is like a cheesy break-up song, saying we’ll be begging to come back, but look at us now!

8. Thomas Jefferson in “What Did I Miss?”

“I’ve been in Paris meeting lots of different ladies…”

Meaning: One of the ladies? Angelica Schuyler. BOOM! Remember when she said she would compel him to include women in the sequel?

9. Aaron Burr in “We Know”

“Alexander, rumors only grow. And we both know what we know.

Meaning: People will find out about the affair eventually. Plus, Hamilton knows all about Burr’s affairs too so it’s fair game.

10. Hamilton/Angelica in “Take A Break”

“My dearest, Angelica.”

Meaning: THE COMMA. It changes the meaning. Grammar is a funny thing. “My dearest, Angelica” vs “My dearest Angelica,” changes everything. The former saying that Angelica IS his dearest, where the latter is letter formality, it could be written to anyone. It was also Lin-Manuel’s way to add to the already underlying romantic tension between the two.  He calls it Commasexting. LOL.

Find more meanings & history of Hamilton lyrics on Genius.com!

The post How Lucky We Are To Be Alive Right Now, Hamilton Lyrics Decoded! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Director Michael Oatman re-imagined the hit  play by double-casting the role with both a White and Black “Martin Luther King Jr.”  Yes, a White “Martin Luther King Jr.” During an interview with Kent State on the University’s website he talks about the motivation behind such a decision:

While Oatman understands that the piece may stir some controversy he also hopes that it stirs discussion about America’s original sin: race.  “I truly wanted to explore the issue of racial ownership and authenticity.  I didn’t want this to be a stunt, but a true exploration of King’s wish that we all be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin,” said Oatman about his non-traditional cast.  “I wanted the contrast . . . I wanted to see how the words rang differently or indeed the same, coming from two different actors, with two different racial backgrounds.”

Is this even allowed? Technically, yes. The script at the time never explicitly stated that the actor playing Martin Luther King Jr. has to be black (they have updated it since then), however implicitly it makes total sense. Everything Dr. King stood for was making America value the Black body because he was, too, a Black body. I don’t see how casting a White actor to play an historic figure such as Martin Luther King, Jr. was a good idea. The show was brought to Katori Hall via Twitter and she went on to say this;

@ThatBrantDude: neither I or @DramatistsPlayS were contacted about this tone deaf casting choice. I have spoken to the director (1/2)

— Katori Hall (@KatoriHall) October 27, 2015

@ThatBrantDude who “did not think there was prohibition agnst non-traditional casting” @DramatistsPlayS has now included a casting clause

— Katori Hall (@KatoriHall) October 27, 2015

Now I get we are at the point in time where Hamilton exists, that show in particular casting people of color in roles that would otherwise have been for traditionally White actors. As great of a move as that was, it does, unfortunately, open the floodgates for very narrow-minded people to think that roles meant for people of color can now be played by White actors if traditionally (and/or historically) White characters can be played by actors of color. This argument and reasoning however isn’t valid. The reason shows like Hamilton and The Mountaintop exist is to create those opportunities for actors of color that have been short sided by this business- to even the playing field. Not to give White actors even more opportunities. That literally defeats the purpose. It defeats what African-American and other playwrights of color have been trying to do for years.

There is a lesson to take away from the Kent State casting though, even though at times it’s obvious, playwrights should include explicitly the ethnicities of actors they want in their plays. This is something I expect to see a lot more as African-Americans are making their unstoppable reign on and off Broadway this season, and we want to keep it that way.

Sound off in the comments below on your thoughts!

The post A White Man Went To ‘The Mountaintop’ At Kent State appeared first on Broadway Black.

Now, we say that it’s surprising because if you haven’t been closely watching George’s career then you would have no idea that he is no stranger to the theatre. Like, at all. He has actually done some great works that include a range from Shakespeare to Suzan Lori-Parks. Need more details? Yeah. We did, too. It’s actually quite impressive but we’ll hold out to see his work in January before we make any judgements. Below you’ll find his bio. (Oh, & FYI George is also the husband of Taj George who is known as 1/3 of hit R&B group SWV)

Eddie George makes his Broadway debut in Chicago following stage appearances in such works as Matthew Lopez’s The Whipping Man (Nashville Repertory Theatre), Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog(Amun Ra Theatre) and in the title roles of both Othello and Julius Caesar at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. His transition to the stage completes the journey that he began following the conclusion of his NFL playing career, which saw him providing commentary and analysis for the Tennessee Titans and FOX’’s college football coverage. George won screen time in such TV series as NBC’’s “American Dream Builders” and in such films as “Best Man Holiday” and “The Game Plan.” Since then, George has worked to refine his craft onstage, including not only the credits indicated above, but also work with his Nashville-based theatrical troupe, Actors By George, which he founded in 2012. Eddie George won the Heisman Trophy in 1995 while playing for the Ohio State University. That honor served as the prelude to a nine-year career in the NFL, which saw him lead the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV and selected to the Pro Bowl for four consecutive years, finishing his career with the Dallas Cowboys under legendary coach Bill Parcells. Since the conclusion of his playing career, George has additionally received his MBA from Northwestern University and founded Edward George Wealth Management Group. He resides in Nashville with his wife of 11 years, Tamara Johnson, and his family. He is on the board of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.

We previously reported that reality television star NeNe Leakes would be joining the show as well. However, she will join as “Matron ‘Mama’ Morton” and will complete her run before George joins in January. So, it’s a good reason to see the show at the end of the year and at the beginning, it seems.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history. The winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

The post NFL Legend Eddie George Will Join Chicago Musical In January appeared first on Broadway Black.

The black-faced mask of minstrel shows is a lingering image from America’s past that still inflicts wounds today through its psychic hold…In the future if we are to be free from its terrible grip we must confront it boldly and courageously by staring back into its face and laughing at the absurdity of its representation until it no longer has the power to hurt us. Only then will it be vanquished and we are free to be. – Donald Byrd

The Minstrel Show Revisited interrogates and critiques the 19th century blackface entertainment genre that continues to play a significant role in cultural stereotyping. The work addresses current racial issues while shining the light on racist aspects of American history that are difficult to discuss. By using the conventions of the 19th century minstrel show, including the once common tradition of blackface, Byrd and his remarkable dancers confront audiences with the past and present manifestations of racism and perpetuation of stereotypes embedded in American culture and tradition.

While the original motivation for creating this piece was the racially motivated slaying of Yusef Hawkins, it’s still very relevant to the current social climate in America. With Eric Garner’s chokehold death and the deaths of Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland and many others, there isn’t a more important time for such a piece to be revisited and revised.

Donald Byrd’s work as a choreographer achieved international visibility with the creation of the Harlem Nutcracker and a Tony Award nomination for his 2006 choreography of Broadway’s The Color Purple. He has created more than 80 modern dance pieces for his own groups as well as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and The Joffrey Ballet. He was a fellow at The Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at Harvard University for three years.

The Minstrel Show Revisited will play for three performances: October 28 and 29 at 7:30 pm and October 30 at 8 pm. Tickets are $30 – $55 and may be purchased online at www.nyuskirball.org, by phone at 212.998.4941, or in person at the NYU Skirball Center Box Office. The NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square, New York, New York 10012.

The post Donald Byrd’s The Minstrel Show Revisited – Limited Engagement appeared first on Broadway Black.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6wo2wpT2k

In my version of West Side Story, instead of Puerto Rican and white gangs, we’d replace those with African American and Latino gangs. With that switch, the perfect actress for the perfect role – the hopeless romantic female lead, “Maria,” – can only be played by Tony Award winner Patina Miller. While the “Maria” character is “supposed” to be a teenager, most of the actresses who’ve played the role on Broadway and on screen have been in their twenties. Carol Lawrence who originated the role in the 1957 Broadway production was 22 and Natalie Wood was 23 when she played the role on-screen. Miller, at 30, is older but she looks young enough to pull it off.

Miller made her West End and Broadway debuts playing “Deloris Van Cartier” in Sister Act and won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her lead role in Pippin. Vocally, she will excel with the Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim tunes, although the role calls for a soprano. But, it’s my dream, so we’ll have the musical arranger work out those details. She has boundless energy and she’s multitalented enough to pull off any role. Even one that was written for a young Puerto Rican girl.

Patina Miller and the cast of the 2013 Broadway revival of the musical PIPPIN, perform the number “Simple Joys” live on the Late Show with David Letterman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI7SZnwRCJI

Seriously, is there someone out there who can make this happen?

The post BB Casting Agency: Patina Miller as West Side Story’s Maria appeared first on Broadway Black.

If you know anything about the show or have seen the movie that garnered Queen Latifah an Academy Award nomination, you know this is a singing role. Usually the woman playing the role is a singer, although it has been played by Wendy Williams before.

Even though Cinderella was also a musical, Chicago will take the singing up a notch for Leakes the reality television star & we really are interested to see what she does with the role. We are wishing Nene all the best and hopes she has a blast! Welcome back to Broadway!

Just In: @NeneLeakes will star in @chicagomusical as Mama Morton starting Nov 23rd! Welcome back, Linnethia!

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Oct 22, 2015 at 7:57am PDT

For 4 weeks, from Nov 23rd – Dec 20th, you can “BLOOP” your way over to the Ambassador Theatre and check out the show for a taste of reality on Broadway. Tickets are available HERE. In the meantime, take a look back on Nene Leakes’ Broadway run in Cinderella below with a interview from Hot 97!

The post Nene Leakes Will Return To Broadway In Chicago The Musical appeared first on Broadway Black.

UPDATE: WATCH BET CYPHER BELOW!

If you were to ask me three years ago if some of the cast from a Broadway show could participate in The Cypher, I might have laughed in your face. However, Hamilton isn’t your average musical. It effortlessly blends both musical theatre and Hip Hop in ways unimaginable. It would be unthinkable not to include them in this year’s Cypher. They don’t have those high rankings on the charts for no reason. Plus, a cypher shouldn’t be too hard for this cast, since they already spend eight nights a week rapping and singing non-stop in their own show for two and a half hours.

The cast tweeted their excitement over the inclusion into the mainstream Hip Hop world. Miranda wrote earlier on twitter;

Warning: you haven’t really seen me in cypher mode be4. I’m different. You know how when Bruce Banner gets heated… https://t.co/Ie5d1w5LDj

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) October 12, 2015

Daveed Diggs shared his excitement via Instagram with this message:

So tonight my first ever #BETcypher will air. It’s kind of a lot to process because I’m going to be part of a tradition that I have followed very closely from its inception. I have no idea what it will come out like, but I’m excited that I get to share this moment with my @hamiltonmusical cast mates @reneeelisegoldsberry and #LinManuelMiranda and of course the legendary @blackthought and @questlove also, I’m gonna be on stage at the Richard Rodgers when it airs so if you see it, let me know how it goes. #loveyall #BET #hiphopawards2015

A photo posted by Daveed Diggs (@daveeddiggs) on Oct 13, 2015 at 3:34pm PDT

Meanwhile Renee Elise Goldsberry updated her twitter with photos of Hip Hop artists that have made their way to the Great White Way to see Hamilton in action with the twitter message:

From Busta to Queen, meeting Hip Hop Royalty on Broadway! #HipHopAwards WATCH 2NITE CUZ WE’RE DOIN THE CYPHER!! @BET pic.twitter.com/QiL9Z0JI2T

— RenéeEliseGoldsberry (@reneeelisegolds) October 13, 2015

Taping of this year’s award show took place on Friday, October 9th at Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta, GA with Uncle Snoop returning as host. The broadcast premiered October 13, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. ET on BET. UPDATE: WATCH BET CYPHER BELOW!

That was sooooo dope!!! @HamiltonMusical on @HipHopAwards @BET was so LIT! @DaveedDiggs @reneeelisegolds @Lin_Manuel

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) October 14, 2015

“Playing these dead presidents I’m getting my reparations!” -Daveed Diggs DAYUM!!! #HamiltonBway

— ThereWillBeTypos (@CijiTheGeek) October 14, 2015

I am watching the BET Hip Hop Awards for the first time in my life thanks to #HamiltonBway

— Sara Koenig (@sara_koenig) October 14, 2015

YASSSSSSSS ANGELICA!!!!! #HipHopAwards #HamiltonBway

— OVO queen (@AngieWorldOrder) October 14, 2015

The post Hamilton Cast takes part in BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher appeared first on Broadway Black.

It was announced that Jones, who was slated to direct and choreograph the production, would spend three weeks developing the musical in New York. “American Idol” Season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini was cast as “Priest” and a casting notice was sent out looking for a “woman to play ‘Georgia,’ a 20-something beauty with a fabulous voice who can match the ‘sexuality, fearlessness, and heart’ of ‘Priest,’ the college-educated cocaine dealer at the center of the show.” Music executive Tommy Mottola’s Mottola Group and the Dodgers were said to be backing the development of the show.

But after the casting announcements and several workshops, the last one in August 2013, we’ve heard no more news about the production.

Guarini, who appeared on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and the 2013 revival of Romeo and Juliet, posted on his blog how through working on the show he “encountered the beautiful and at times haunting music of the era. Curtis Mayfield’s title track was, of course, the signature piece in the show. However, woven throughout the sonic tapestry were pieces from Issac Hayes, James Brown (‘Say it LOUD’), and even Bob Dylan.” Now, even his blog is silent, and the posts have been taken down.

“Super Fly” was one of the first and most successful films made and funded by African Americans. It followed the story of “Priest,” one of New York’s most successful drug dealers who is looking to get out of the dangerous drug life, played expertly by Ron O’Neal. When he tries to pull off one last large drug deal so that he can retire, he continues to run up against a variety of cops and other criminals who wish to stop him.

One of the highlights of the movie was the Curtis Mayfield-produced soundtrack that, arguably, is one of the best film scores ever produced. With hits like the title track, “Freddie’s Dead,” and “Pusherman,” the soundtrack was a classic and ranked number 69 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Is the production still happening? Has it been put on hold? If anyone has an answer, Broadway Black would like to know.

The post Where is Super Fly: The Musical? appeared first on Broadway Black.