Some of you may be too young to remember, but “back in the day” disco music was as big as hip hop and Sylvester was disco’s reigning queen. The fabulous androgynous singer’s falsetto ruled the airwaves and the dance floors with classic hits such as “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” “Dance (Disco Heat),” “Do Ya Wanna Funk” and “Can’t Stop Dancing.” Last year, Broadway’s original Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph re-introduced the world to Sylvester and his music in the off-Broadway hit musical Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical starring Anthony Wayne. Now, the audiences for Mighty Real are about to get larger as the musical is headed to Broadway after a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Based upon the campaign, audiences are excited to see the show on the Great White Way. With over 300 backers, the Kickstarter campaign easily surpassed its original goal of $40,000. Supporters had the option of pledging $25 to be personally thanked on the www.FabulousSylvester.com web site and receive a Mighty Real magnet to pledging $7,500 or more for a package that included a personal phone call from creators Wayne, Kendrell Bowman, and co-producer Ralph, and an invitation to an exclusive private performance of MIGHTY REAL with the creators, Ralph, and André Leon Talley.
According to the production’s web site, Mighty Real tells the “life story of Sylvester through HIS music and HIS point of view. Beyond all the trials, tribulations, glitz and glamour of his lifestyle, he was a symbol for being FABULOUS, but, also, a symbol for unapologetically being who he was.” In addition to Wayne, the cast includes Anastacia McCleskey as “Izora” and Jacqueline B. Arnold as “Martha,” Sylvester’s equally talented background singers collectively known as “Two Tons of Fun.”
No previews or opening dates have been set, yet. But, you can count on Broadway Black to be the first to let you know.