Tuck Everlasting and Waitress announced their full cast over the weekend and we are very excited!

Waitress with music lyrics by the amazing Sara Bareilles is set for previews March 25th. Included in the ensemble are Charity Angel Dawson, Thay Floyd, and Aisha Jackson who add a little diversity to the cast.

I could go on and on about the talents of Bareilles and I am looking forward to seeing how her music translates to Broadway.

Just down the road Tuck Everlasting just completed its cast with stellar stage performers including Jessica Lee Goldyn and Pippa Pearthree.

Previews for Tuck begin March 31st.

Both shows have received a lot of press. Tuck, which first premiered in Atlanta at the Alliance theater, even won the prestigious Suzi Bass Award. Tuck is based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt.

Tuck is playing at the Broadhurst Theatre. To purchase tickets click here.

Waitress calls the Brooks Atkinson Theatre home for its run. For tickets click here.

The post Waitress and Tuck Everlasting Cast Announced appeared first on Broadway Black.

And not the “Who made the bad potato salad?” variety.

This reunion has critics and audiences cheering as the Eclipsed cast that riveted theatergoers for 10 weeks at the Public Theater will assemble with lead actress Lupita Nyong’o. This time, they meet for a Broadway run at the John Golden Theatre.

That’s right. Saycon Sengbloh, Pascale Armand, Akosua Busia, and Zainab Jah reprise the roles written by playwright and actress Danai Gurira.  Zombiephiles may know Gurira from her groundbreaking role as the sword-wielding Michonne on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” series.

Eclipsed is a play about endurance and strength for women living through the Liberian Civil War. As previously reported, the play debuted at the Public Theater from September 29 – November 29^th, garnering acclaim and excitement for the Broadway debut.

The original cast has a long list of Broadway theatre credits to their names. Of course, Ms. Nyong’o has that golden statue with the bald head. What is his name again? Oh yeah. Oscar.

The amazing women who collaborated to make Eclipsed also made history. Director Liesl Tommy, Gurira, Nyong’o, and her cast mates, are putting on the first Broadway show to have an all female cast, director and writer. Ever.

Like… Ever.

Previews of Eclipsed begin February 23, 2016, with an official opening March 6, 2016.

As news of the cast announcement hit social media, the elation could hardly be contained. Celebrities have been touting the show’s brilliance for weeks.

Anticipation is building as Gurira dazzles across the talk show circuit. Could the Broadway show deliver during Tony season as well? Time will tell, but tickets for the show are definitely going to be sold out quick. Stay tuned.

The post Original Eclipsed Cast with Lupita Nyong’o Set For Broadway, Will Make History appeared first on Broadway Black.

I also love the ability to challenge perspective. I love the idea of a sophisticated, fun, attractive, and driven female lead.

I love the idea of that woman being black.

Delta Nu’s favorite lawyer may be known for her beach blonde hair and pink skirt suits, but I’m sure Elle Woods would agree that blonde is more than a color– it’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle is not constrained or reserved for a woman of any specific race. With that being said, I believe rising star, Alysha Deslorieux (Hamilton, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) should be cast as Elle Woods in a revival of Legally Blonde.

Legally Blonde will forever hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first professional show I experienced. I sat in the balcony of the theatre, with a couple of tears in my eyes, moved by the energy and enthusiasm behind Laurence O’Keefe’s music. I’ve always been in love with the story of a girl rising to the occasion and discovering that she’s “So Much Better” than what her peers thought of her, and even how she valued herself. Seeing the show on stage further fed into one of my life mantras: nonconformity still reigns.

Elle’s character represents transformation. She has everything going for her but the attention and love of the man she followed to Harvard Law. Everything that glitters isn’t gold and that rings true even with Malibu’s finest. When she’s directed within, we are introduced to a woman that understands her worth and teaches us the importance of forming a “Chip on Your Shoulder” to achieve the goals set for ourselves, while unapologetically refusing to change who we are. A woman that embodies strength, sincerity, and sex appeal must shatter expectations… by being portrayed by a Black woman. 

Alysha Deslorieux made her Broadway debut in 2012 in Sister Act. However, I was first introduced to her through her work at University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Deslorieux has a commandng presence even in her supporting roles. I can’t wait to see her conquer a leading lady. You can hear Deslorieux on the Beautiful and Hamilton cast albums. She’s currently understudying all three Schyuler sisters in Hamilton.  

Light, yet soulful, Deslorieux will send the heart of audiences soaring as they connect with the first Black Elle Woods. 

I’ll be in the audience cheering in all pink! 

The post BB Casting Agency: Legally Color Blind? A New Elle Woods appeared first on Broadway Black.

We previously talked about a run of Head of Passes at Berkeley Repertory Theatre to rave reviews back in May starring Cheryl Lynn Bruce. So, we’re so excited that Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad has signed on and that this new mounting is a co-production with Berkley Rep. Joining her in the cast of the nine person play includes Alana Arenas (Cookie), Francois Battiste (Aubrey), Kyle Beltran (Crier), and J. Bernard Calloway (Spencer). This is something you do not want to miss. The show is being billed as follows:

Tarell Alvin McCraney, MacArthur Award-winning playwright of the acclaimed Brother/Sister Plays, has written a poetic and contemporary parable inspired by the Book of Job. At the mouth of the Mississippi River, Shelah’s family and friends have come to celebrate her birthday and save her from a leaking roof, but unexpected events turn the reunion into the ultimate test of faith and love. As her world seems to collapse around her, Shelah must fight to survive the rising flood of life’s greatest challenges. 

PHYLICIA RASHAD (Shelah) was last seen at The Public in The Story by Tracey Scott Wilson in 2003, as well as in Helen in 2002, and Everybody’s Rudy in 1999. She is a versatile performer who became a household name when she portrayed “Claire Huxtable” on “The Cosby Show,” a character whose appeal has earned numerous honors and awards for over two decades. While television was a catalyst in the rise of Rashad’s career, she has also been a force on the stage, appearing both on and off-Broadway, often in projects that showcase her musical talent such as Jelly’s Last Jam, Into The Woods, Dreamgirls, and The Wiz. As a dramatic actress, Rashad has appeared on Broadway in August Osage County, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (also West End), Gem Of The Ocean (Tony nomination), A Raisin in the Sun (Drama Desk and Tony Awards) and Cymbeline. She appeared in Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds, and starred in Perry’s highly acclaimed film version of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf. She made her directorial debut at the Seattle Repertory Theater with August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean and has directed works at The Ebony Repertory, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Westport County Playhouse, Mark Taper, Longwharf Theatre, and the McCarter Theatre. Rashad has received numerous honorary doctorate degrees and awards for excellence both in theater and television.

The post Phylicia Rashad Will Star In Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Head Of Passes at The Public Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

True to their word of incorporating amazing acrobatic feats, several of the ensemble cast have experience as Cirque du Soleil performers. We can’t wait to see how choreographer Fatima Robinson has these amazing performers soaring.

Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah & Grammy Award winner Mary J. Blige are also in the cast of The Wiz Live. Latifah will play “The Wiz”, a role originated on stage by the incomparable Andre De Shields (Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Full Monty). Blige will portray the role of “Evillene”, the horrible wicked witch known for the upbeat “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.” In addition to Stephanie Mills as “Aunt Em,” Uzo Aduba as Glinda The Good Witch, and Amber Riley as Addaperle, also previously announced.

Tony Award winner Kenny Leon will direct & Fatima Robinson will choreograph, as previously announced. The show will also head to Broadway in 2016 with Leon directing. The Wiz for NBC will partner with Cirque du Soleil to bring the live and Broadway productions to life. William F. Brown wrote the original book of the show. This time around, Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein will add new material to the book.

The post The Wiz Live! Full Ensemble Cast is Announced 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.

Casting directors from both productions will be seeking charm, charisma and confidence from actors, singers who move well and dancers needed to fulfill ensemble roles as well as to cover or replace lead characters. Singers will simultaneously be considered for both shows during the vocal audition. Dancer calls are staggered by gender and by show, so that dancers can attend auditions for both.

Performers of all cultural backgrounds are strongly encouraged to journey to the Pride Lands or Agrabah. Casting details and breakdowns for each show can be found HERE. Note there are strict age and height requirements.

The cities and dates are as follows:

• Chicago: Nov. 7 & 8
• Los Angeles: Nov. 11, 12 & 14
• Atlanta: Dec. 12 & 13
• Toronto: Jan. 16 & 17
• Washington, D.C.: March 12 & 13
• Orlando: April 9 & 10
• Miami: April 12 & 13
• Dallas: April 30 & May 1
• New Orleans: May 7

Last year marked Disney’s 20th anniversary of its first Broadway venture, Beauty and the Beast. As many as 12 shows have been produced to transform classic stories in new and exciting ways. The Lion King musical – based on the 1994 Disney animated film – made its Broadway debut in 1997, and has become the highest grossing production on The Great White Way at more than $1 billion. Aladdin opened on Broadway March 2014 and Tokyo, Japan, this May. It has a Germany debut in December and enters West End next year.

The galvanizing experience of these musicals, which have been seen by millions of people, can be felt in the friendly airport sing-off  by members of each cast during a six-hour delay earlier this year.

Stay up to date to Disney On Broadway through its official YouTube Channel.

The post Disney Multi-City Casting Call: Are You The Next Simba or Aladdin? appeared first on Broadway Black.

The musical is based on the book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields about Annie Oakley a sharpshooting, poor, country girl and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and her love affair with expert rifleman Frank Butler. Berlin wrote the music and lyrics for the show, which includes the classic tunes “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun,” “I Got Lost in His Arms,” “Anything You Can Do,” and the show’s climatic “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Cooper will play “Pawnee Bill,” owner of the Far East Show and Buffalo Bill’s former partner and current rival. Jack Dabdoud originated the role in the 1966 Broadway production, which starred Ethel Merman as “Annie.”

Since his Broadway debut, Cooper has appeared as an understudy in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Passion, and Getting Away with Murder. In 1997, he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as the pimp “Memphis” in The Life, Cy Coleman’s musical about prostitution in Times Square. He also took over the role of “Billy Flynn” in the 2001 Broadway revival of Chicago. He recently wrapped up a starring role in the musical “Amazing Grace.”

The concerts will be directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, and will feature The Encores! Orchestra led by Encores! music director Rob Berman.

The October 27 concert begins with a 5:30 PM cocktail reception, followed by the 6:30 PM performance. Tickets for both performances can be purchased here.

The post Chuck Cooper will be Pawnee Bill in Annie Get Your Gun appeared first on Broadway Black.

The Wiz Live will air on NBC Dec. 3rd. and this issue of People magazine will hit the stands on Friday!

The previously mentioned stars are accompanied by more star power that includes Stephanie Mills, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Amber Riley, and Common.Tony Award winner Kenny Leon will direct and Fatima Robinson will choreograph. The show heads to Broadway in 2016 with Leon directing. The Wiz will partner with Cirque du Soleil to bring both the live and Broadway productions to life.

The original book of the show was written by William F. Brown. This time around, Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein will add new material to the book. The show will be executive produced by The Sound of Music and Peter Pan duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Photos are by Paul Gilmore / NBC. Read the entire article here & pick up your copy of People magazine come Friday!

UPDATE: A behind the scenes look into rehearsals of #TheWizLive released!

The post Paul Tazewell Gives First Look At The Wiz Live Costumes + Sneak Peek Into Rehearsals appeared first on Broadway Black.

Joining the principal cast members are Grasan Kingsberry (The Color Purple original 2005 cast) and Kevyn Morrow (A Chorus Line) will be Dwayne Clark (Spiderman), Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing), Carrie Compere (Holler If Ya Hear Me), Bre Jackson (Book of Mormon), Ken Robinson (Memphis), Antoine L. Smith (Memphis) and Rema Webb (The Lion King). Phoenix Best, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Carla R. Stewart and Akron Watson will all make their Broadway debuts with The Color Purple revival.

From The Color Purple Website;

Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson(Dreamgirls) has dazzled the world with her matchless talent. This fall, she makes her long-awaited Broadway debut as the sultry Shug Avery in the joyous and triumphant musical The Color Purple.

This unforgettable and intensely moving new production mesmerized audiences when it premiered at London’s acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory, where critics hailed it as “a revelation” (Mark Shenton, The Stage). Now, this American classic comes to Broadway with a powerhouse cast including celebrated London star Cynthia Erivo, who will recreate her electrifying performance as Celie, along with “Orange is the New Black” star Danielle Brooksas Sophia.

With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.

The new staging cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original production. Tickets for the musical are on sale to the general public, the prices range between $75.00 and $145.00. The production begins previews Nov. 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Opening night is set for Dec. 10. You can purchase your tickets here or by calling 212.239.6200.

The post Full Cast of The Color Purple Starring Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, & Danielle Brooks Announced appeared first on Broadway Black.