Well if you missed it. Here it is again. Yes, selected cast from both The Lion King and Aladdin performed several songs on the morning show this past Friday.

Some of you may be wondering why this is such an awesome moment. Well let’s recap.

The Lion King now in its 19th year was the first broadway show to earn more than a billion cumulatively on stage.  Aladdin is building a legacy of its own with $146 MIL gross box office so far and counting.

But the biggest thrill of this show is that fact that both are employing a gang of POC.

And not just locally, there are U.S. and world tours, and inspiring theater heads everywhere.

So in case you missed it,here are two POC heavy, long-running epic shows. Be proud. Spread the word.

The post The Signifigance of Lion King VS Aladdin on GMA appeared first on Broadway Black.

Likely due to popular demand, the Broadway stars are collaborating to bring their sanctified sound to the popular basement hangout. After their brief, yet highly re-tweeted appearance at Highline Ballroom’s Broadway Does Bruno Mars this summer, it’s a wonder the two didn’t collaborate sooner.  If you’ve seen the video, just know — all of that is simply a precursor of what’s to come!

Set at the newly renamed Feinstein’s/54 Below, the concert will outline their journey growing up in a southern church to finally singing on the Great White Way.  The pair is sure to excite with their array of vocal stylings including soul, gospel, jazz and, of course, showtunes. The show will also feature a special guest, Alex Newell of Glee fame.

Burroughs moved to New York a little over a year ago to make his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots as Angel/Lola understudy.  He’s performed regionally in shows such as Shrek, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar which earned him a Broadway World Award for Best Local Actor in a Musical.  Wallace is currently tapping herself through the Renaissance in the Tony-nominated comedy Something Rotten.  Previously, she could be seen in Broadway’s Aladdin and as part of The Book of Mormon’s first national tour.

Read our exclusive interview with the duo below:

BroadwayBlack (BB): What does it mean to be Baptized By Broadway?

Nick: It’s means to sit back and relax and let Marisha and I give you our version of broadway, the version that’s rooted in soul and gospel singing that no one can give you like 2 southern preachers kids can, that sound mixed with our love and passion for broadway gives you.., Baptized By Broadway

Marisha: We wanted to tell our story about the journey from our small southern towns knowing nothing about musicals. To making it to Broadway and thriving. And It is because of our faith , passion, and humor that we are here.

BB: Why did you two team up? What is your relationship dynamic?

Marisha: I feel like I  bring the structure and soul and Nick brings you the spontaneity and passion. Together we balance each other. We both push each other to go higher and take chances.

Nick: We’ve always known each other from mutual friends in NYC but it wasn’t until Corey Mach from “Broadway Sings” asked us to do a duet together in Broadway Sings Bruno Mars that the real bond began, we suddenly realized we’re and electric pair together and after a standing ovation from our duet of Run Away Baby at The Cutting Room for Broadway Sings Bruno Mars the rest was history!

BB: How did Alex Newell get involved with your 54 Below debut and what can we expect from the featured guest?

Nick:Alex and I became good friends from hanging out every Wednesday night at Queen of the Night for Live Band Karaoke, Belting in each other’s faces and being complete idiots together! When Marisha and I decided to do a concert together we just had to get him to sing with us. You can expect for Alex to give you some fierce Whitney Houston that night.

BB: What have you discovered to be the most useful tool in your career?

Marisha: Being true to your self in every way, and using what makes you different as your strength.

BB: Will Aunt Viv be ready to serve?

Nick: Oh absolutely, get ready to dance!

By @nickrburroughs: Oh you thought Halloween was over? Aunt Viv from Fresh Prince of Bel-air is ready to SERVE! pic.twitter.com/OzXGF7Ga5E

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) November 2, 2015

BB: What was your first experience singing a solo in church?

Nick: Well for me it started very early for me being a preachers kid, I was 6 when I song my first big solo in church and I sang holy is the lamb by Oleta Adams and I knew from that day on I had a passion for performing.

Marisha: I forgot all the words to a Shirley cesar song and cried. I was five years old. I never forgot the words again.

Are you ready to be Baptized By Broadway? Use our discount code for tickets to see @marishawallace & @nickrburroughs over at @54below! Read our exclusive interview with the duo only at BroadwayBlack.com!

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Nov 13, 2015 at 12:09pm PST

Named for “Great American Songbook” creator Michael Feinstein, Feinstein’s/ 54 Below has become one of the premiere destinations for Broadway performers and fans alike.  While it is famous for its informal cabarets led by esteemed theater vets, it’s also become a wonderful venue for young performers to sharpen their skills and build their network.

The post Marisha Wallace & Nick Rashad Burroughs To Make 54 Below Debut appeared first on Broadway Black.

Disney shaped the childhood memories of many and continues to make memories eight times a week on Broadway through The Lion King and Aladdin.

Not only do the shows have large ensembles of, arguably, the most spirited people on Broadway prone to break out in song in an otherwise lifeless layover in La Guardia, but each cast boasts a large representation of men and women of color.

I’m still replaying Viola Davis’ Emmy acceptance speech and the Tony and Emmy-Award Winning actress could not be more spot on with her remark that Black women can’t win awards if there is no opportunity for them. It’s no secret that Broadway continues to struggle with diversity on the stage and with its patrons. Mega-hit Hamilton is changing the game by not only bringing a show to the stage that features a hip hop influence, but highlighting the talent of people of color by blindly casting some of America’s greatest historical figures.

But to me, the question is still how do we make theatre more accessible? How do we bring in a diverse crowd? How do we cultivate a love and passion for the stage at a young age?

A lot of this starts by seeing people of color in complex, sincere, challenging, leading roles. Creating opportunity. Writing a new reality.

The Lion King recently made history by surpassing Phantom of the Opera as the highest- grossing Broadway show of all time. Phantom producer Cameron MacKintosh credits Tony Award-Winning director, Julie Taymor, and her vision for “bringing in elements of Asian and African theater, music and performance” as one of the many factors in its success.

Here’s to writers, producers, and directors reaching through “green fields and lovely flowers” and giving opportunity to these talented men and women.

Special shout out to the incredible men and women of color in these productions!

The Lion King: L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa), Gugwana Dlamini (Rafiki), Jelani Remy (Simba), Chantel Riley (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), K’Lynn Jackman (Young Nala), Shahadi Wright Joseph (Young Nala), Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (Young Simba), Jahi Diallo Winston(Young Simba), Lawrence Keith Alexander (Ensemble), LaMar Baylor (Ensemble), Allison Blackwell (Ensemble) India Bolds (Ensemble), Elishah Bowman (Ensemble), Derrick Davis (Ensemble), Lindiwe Dlamini (Ensemble), Bongi Duma (Ensemble), Angelica Edwards (Ensemble), Jamal Lee Harris (Ensemble), Kenny Ingram (Ensemble), Andre Jackson (Ensemble), Lindsey Jolyn Jackson (Ensemble), Joel Karie (Ensemble), Lisa Lewis (Ensemble), Mduduzi Madela (Ensemble), Kimberly Marable (Ensemble), Jaysin McCollum (Ensemble), Ray Mercer (Ensemble), Kyle Lamar Mitchell (Swing), S’bu Ngema (Ensemble), Nhlanhla Ngobeni (Ensemble), James A. Pierce III (Swing), Chondra La-Tease Profit (Sarabi/ Ensemble), Jacqueline Rene (Swing), Thandazile A. Soni Donna Michelle Vaughn (Ensemble), Kellen Stancil (Swing Dance Captain), Sophia Stephens (Ensemble/ Understudy Rafiki, Sarabi, and Nala), Bravita Threatt (Swing/ Dance Captain), Natalie Turner (Swing), and Donna Michelle Vaughn (Ensemble).

The Lion King is directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan. It is on stage at the Minskoff Theater. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Aladdin: James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Clifton Davis (Sultan), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Standby Genie/Babkak/Sultan), Tia Altinay (Attendant, Ensemble), Donald Jones, Jr. (Henchman, Ensemble), Amber Owens (Ensemble), Khori Michelle Petinaud (Attendant, Ensemble), Ariel Reid (Ensemble), and Jaz Sealy (Prince Abdullah, Ensemble).

Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-Winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!) and is on stage at the New Amsterdam Theater. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The post The Lion King and Aladdin: Diversity Across Green Fields & Lovely Flowers appeared first on Broadway Black.

Aladdin will begin previews at the Prince Edward Theatre on May 27, 2016 and open on June 9. So, far no other cast members have been announced.

Nicholas began his career in high school and while attending West Virginia University. He’s appeared in several regional musical theatre productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Ragtime, and Rent. He’s also no stranger to Disney-produced theatre, having performed at Walt Disney World in Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Musical. Nationally, Nicholas performed in Big River as “Jim.”

In addition to his stage career, Nicholas is also a singer, musician and songwriter who’s appeared with the bands Fake Eddie, The Ascension, and Modern Mutiny, who are currently awaiting the release of their debut album.

Aladdin opened on Broadway in March 2014 and more than one million people have seen the Disney show so far. The musical, based on the 1992 animated film, received five Tony nominations in its opening year. James Monroe Iglehart won the Tony award for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical, for his performance as “Genie.”

Currently, there’s a Japanese version of the musical running in Tokyo and the European premiere is set for December in Hamburg. After the London opening, the production is set to open in August at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia.

Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and composed by Alan Menken. It features lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, with book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

The post Trevor Dion Nicholas to Star in West End’s Aladdin 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.

It was a moment many had been hoping for and believed was long overdue. Although that was the climax of Williams’ appearance at the pageant, another highlight of the evening, and less talked about by mainstream media, was her stirring rendition of Amy Grant’s “Oh How the Years Go By” with the Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV).

The BIV joined Williams center stage for the opening performance of the pageant. Their performance of the moving ballad caused the audience to erupt into thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

What a great night!! Performing with friend and @bivoices supporter @vwofficial #missamerica #nbc http://t.co/MEefaUnVN8

— Broadway Insp Voices (@BIVoices) September 14, 2015

Broadway Inspirational Voices is a multi-ethnic, multi-denominational choir ensemble made up of actors and musicians from Broadway and off‐Broadway shows such as Aladdin, Book of Mormon, Cinderella, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, The Lion King, Motown, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. The BIV’s mission is “strengthening and unifying the New York community through the transcendent power of music. “

The choir was founded in 1994 by Tony nominee, actor, singer, and director Michael McElroy and became the place where he could express his unique arrangements of known and unknown songs in and out of the American gospel and theatre songbooks. In 2005, McElroy received a Grammy nomination for his work on the choir’s holiday CD, “Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas.”

The BIV is next scheduled to perform at Pope Francis’ Mass at Madison Square Garden on September 25. Other performers scheduled to appear include Harry Connick Jr., Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Hudson, Kelli O’Hara, Martin Sheen, James (D Train) Williams, and Norm Lewis.

The post Vanessa Williams Performs at Miss America Pageant with Broadway Inspirational Voices appeared first on Broadway Black.

Inglehart – who has been granting wishes since March 2014 when Aladdin opened at New Amsterdam Theatre – shared the stage with Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan: The Broadway Musical), as they performed musical selections and shared backstory from several Disney theatrical productions.Inglehart and Brown offered up duets of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” (The Lion King), “It’s A Jolly Holiday” (Mary Poppins) and “God Help The Outcasts” (Hunchback of Notre Dame). As a trio, they performed selections from AIDA, “Son of Man (Tarzan) and “Friend Like Me” (Aladdin). Other shows highlighted were: Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Frozen and The Little Mermaid.

For Inglehart’s solo song, he gave a buoyant rendition of the catchy tune “Under The Sea” from the Hans Christian Anderson-inspired story.

If you are on a Caribbean cruise ship, the Alan Menken-composed/Howard Ashman-penned song for the 1989 The Little Mermaid film – which won an Academy Award for “Best Original Song” and a Grammy for “Best Song Written for Visual Media” – the voyage wouldn’t be complete without the Calypso beat. Or, if it’s the Delta Air Lines’ U.S. Open OPEN Mic event, you just might hear it sung by top-ranked American professional tennis player Serena Williams. On Aug. 26, at the U.S. Open pre-event in New York City, Williams – the first Black female athlete to appear solo on the cover of Vogue – took to the stage for some karaoke. Accent, dance moves, and all.

https://youtu.be/GYKEHc0GpqE

Having provided guest voice work on a 2005 episode of Playhouse Disney’s (now Disney Junior) animated kids show”Higglytown Heroes,” perhaps Broadway is in her future. I would be in the house on opening night. But, I digress…

When The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway in 2007 Tituss Burgess, with his particularly high tenor voice, originated the role of “Sebastian the Crab.” Burgess, a main cast member of the Netflix original series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” was nominated this year for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Inglehart – a native of Hayward, California – originated the role of Bobby in Memphis in October 2009, and he also played Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as a replacement starting in April 2007.

The post Who Sings It Best: Tituss Burguess, James Monroe Iglehart, or Serena Williams appeared first on Broadway Black.

The casts of Disney’s Aladdin and The Lion King held an impromptu “vocal battle” at the airport, according to fellow travelers. It was so good, it even made it to Snapchat’s NYC Snap Story (FYI that’s a really big deal. I’ve been trying for weeks to make it there).

Cast members from The Lion King seem especially prone to break out into song in mass transit locations. You might recall that in June 2014, the cast of The Lion King burst into song aboard a New York subway car. Clearly, I’ve been in the wrong places at the wrong time.

 Check it out below! Which cast won? 

The post Disney On Broadway Airport Sing Off: Aladdin vs. The Lion King appeared first on Broadway Black.