Hamilton 

What is a best of 2015 list without Hamilton? Not a list at all. The hip-hop musical about America’s most controversial founding father with its diverse cast and #hamiltunes that will be stuck in your head forever earns its prized spot on the list. Any show capable of selling out for over a year is a winner in my book. #HamilTonys

Invisible Thread 

Did I mention I saw this show four times? I’m not kidding. The only reason it wasn’t more is because I’m not rich and I went home for Christmas break. The show that tells the story of one man’s incredible journey of self and the people’s lives he impacts was a no-brainer on my list. The dancing, the acting, and the singing is enough to bring you in and take you to new places. #Belamusana

The Color Purple 

Of course, The Color Purple was going to make this list. Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Jennifer Hudson make their Broadway debuts and they enter with a big ol’ splash. The simplistic styling of this musical requires the actors to give their all and bare it on the stage, which they do every night. I see Tonys in their future.

Whorl Inside A Loop 

No wonder it’s going to Broadway!  It’s that darn good. Second Stage is doing some pretty awesome things over there on 43rd Street, if this show is any indication. It tells the story of an actress teaching prisoners how to tell and act out their personal stories. This show definitely tugged at my heartstrings and now, hopefully, many more will be able to witness its brilliance.

The Gin Game 

Legendary. James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson sharing the stage again was one of the most amazing moments of 2015. Being able to just be in that room and watch these masters grace the stage effortlessly was a big deal. Black don’t crack, and neither does our ability to memorize scripts and get out there and be amazing eight nights a week.

Barbecue 

The Public Theater also has some hits on their hands. Barbecue centered around family, addiction, and making difficult choices. Written by Obie Award Winning Playwright Robert O’Hara, the play was full of twists and turns that left audiences gasping and guessing about what was going to happen next.

Paradise Blue

Our girl Dominique Morisseau came through. The production is directed by the always amazing Ruben Santiago-Hudson and stars Tony Award-nominee De’Adre Aziza (Passing Strange), Golden Globe-nominee Blair Underwood (A Street Car Named Desire), and Andre Holland. This show, which is the first in a trilogy, made waves at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Like Morisseau herself, I doubt it’s the last you’ll hear about it.

An Octoroon 

An Octoroon (the term “Octoroon” is a person who is one-eighth Black) is all about race in the United States. The brilliant show written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins got its start at Soho Rep and uses satire to get at the United States’ horrible legacy of slavery. Incorporating Black face, red face and everything in between, this show took it there unapologetically. An Octoroon can make an entire audience uncomfortable and force them to face the harsh realities of this “great” nation all in one. After all, art is an imitation of life, right?

Amazing Grace

Gone too soon. The song I sang as a child suddenly held more weight when I finally was able to see this show in the summer. Beautifully and thoroughly executed, Amazing Grace was a gracious piece of theatre that wasn’t afraid to go there. While it may have left Broadway, the cast recording will be enough to keep me going.

Eclipsed 

This is another one that moved from Off-Broadway because of its stellar cast and amazing story. Danai Gurira is genius. Set during the Liberian Civil War, Eclipsed tells the stories of the captive wives of a rebel officer who band together to form a fragile community—until the balance of their lives is upset by the arrival of a new girl. Heartfelt, funny, and mesmerizing are just a few adjectives to describe how great of a show this is.

Special Mention: The Wiz Live!

How could I make a list without The Wiz Live! on it? This show and all of its #melaninmagic captivated audiences everywhere. The old classic story of The Wiz with a modern twist appealed to audiences young and old, and brought together an entire community on Dec. 3rd. That night also made us realize Shanice Williams was going places, Stephanie Mills has still got it, David Alan Grier has some serious pipes, Uzo Aduba and Queen Latifah can do no wrong, Amber Riley was underappreciated on Glee, and “conversate” is an actual word.

Thats our list, what did you see that you put on your list? Sound off in the comments below and check out in-depth information on all of these shows on our site!

The post And The Winner Is…Broadway Black Top 10 of 2015 appeared first on Broadway Black.

The new musical arrived on Broadway after a run in Chicago last fall. Troika Entertainment is planning to launch a national tour of the production, although no other details have yet been released. The cast will reunite Nov. 2 to record the 22-track recording. Six-time Grammy winner Frank Filipetti is set to produce and engineer.

The track-listing:

“Prologue”
“Truly Alive”
“Auction”
“Someone Who Hears”
“Yema’s Song”
“Voices Of The Angels”
“We Are Determined”
“Never”
“Shadows of Innocence”
“Expectations”
“The Battle/The Drowning”
“African Welcome Song”
“Sing on High”
“Tell Me Why”
“A Chance for Me”
“Nowhere Left to Run”
“Daybreak”
“I Still Believe”
“Testimony”
“I Will Remember”
“Nothing There To Love”
“Amazing Grace”

Amazing Grace is described as a “new original musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.

John Newton (played by Tony Award nominee Josh Young), a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father – a slave trader – or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart (Erin Mackey). Accompanied by his slave, Thomas (Tony Award-winner Chuck Cooper), John embarks on a perilous voyage on the high seas. When that journey finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home.

The musical also starred Tom Hewitt, Chris Hoch, Stanley Bahorek, Harriett D. Foy, Laiona Michelle, Rachael Ferrera and Elizabeth Ward Land.

We had such a wonderful night at Amazing Grace on Broadway and will miss it dearly, but are delighted to know those sweet sounds will be available early next year. Read our experience in our We Were There: Broadway’s Newest Original Musical Amazing Grace Opening Night article and watch our interviews with members of  the cast & creative team below.

The post Amazing Grace Cast Recording Set For 2016 Release appeared first on Broadway Black.

The show, which follows John Netwon’s journey that gave birth to the abolitionist movement, cost a whooping $16 million to get off the ground. It was marketed to church groups and African-American audiences with the goal that the inspirational story of John Newton’s religious conversion, and the realistic description of the slave trade, would interest these ticket buyers. However, that strategy did not work out in their favor. Quite the opposite, during the many weeks the show was running, the theatre was only half full.

Amazing Grace played a pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago in fall 2014 and a national tour of the production is in the works. “We are incredibly disappointed in the show’s performance at the box office on Broadway,” lead producer Carolyn Rossi Copeland told the New York Times on Wednesday. “I look forward to bringing this story of hope and redemption to audiences around the country with our upcoming national tour.”

There are a lot of things that could have factored into the the early closing. The target audience they were going for might have felt a bit uncomfortable watching, they simply couldn’t afford to go, or they just weren’t interested. I remember seeing the show opening night and being extremely captivated by it. I also had theatre friends who told me they flat out thought it was a show to appease white guilt and, therefore, were uninterested. Either way, it’s disappointing to see a show with a majority of people of color have to bow out early, when some of the same old shows get to stay. But this is life, and things don’t always work out the way we want.

What I’m most sad about is not seeing Chuck Cooper, Harriett D. Foy, Laiona Michelle, and Rachael Ferrera give their all on stage, but we at Broadway Black know it’s only a matter of time before they wow audiences again.

Because it’s just so hard hard to say goodbye, check out some of these exclusive pics of some of the cast enjoying their success, while remaining humble in the process.

In July cast members Harriet D. Foy and Laiona Michelle were invited to the United Nations for a meet and greet with Ambassador Vandi Chidi Minah of Sierra Leone. This made perfect sense as both ladies portray women from that country. While there, both Foy and Michelle had a moment of self reflection and gratitude.

When visiting the newly built sculptures dedicated to those who were victims of slavery, Michelle noted the following;

 Standing in this beautifully moving piece Harriett and I were overcome with a deep sense of pain, understanding and profound sorrow.  It was quite humbling. Harriet could not touch the sculpture of what seemed to be a child in the hull of the ship where hundreds would be crammed together for the voyage to some unknown place to face untold horrors. This is my ancestry and I had to pay homage because I truly stand on the shoulders of giants.  We tend to take for granted the enormous grace, strength and beauty of which we are built.  I was reminded in one instance, of that legacy.

And we will sure enough miss the beauty  of Amazing Grace. If you haven’t made your way to the Nederlander Theatre, buy your tickets now and experience Amazing Grace for yourself before October 25th!

Take a look back on #OpeningNight with our video below!

The post Amazing Grace Will Close On Broadway October 25th appeared first on Broadway Black.

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The post Broadway Black Box | Opening Night: Amazing Grace appeared first on Broadway Black.

The musical explores the life of John Newton, who was an Englishman who worked as a slave trader before a change of heart compelled him to become an abolitionist, writing the well-known song along the way.

Most of the cast performed in the Chicago production, including Josh Young who portrays Newton (and was nominated for a Tony in 2012 on his Broadway debut in Jesus Christ Superstar). Also returning from the off Broadway production are Tony winner Chuck Cooper, Chris Hoch, Erin Mackey, and Stanley Bahorek.

Amazing Grace, according to press notes, is a “world-premiere musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.

John Newton (Young), a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father – a slave trader – and embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart (Mackey).”

In addition, Amazing Grace will also explore the viewpoint of a slave named Thomas, portrayed  by Tony award-winning Broadway Black actor Chuck Cooper ( The Life; Caroline, Or Change).

Amazing Grace opens on July 16 at the Nederlander Theatre, and will run through December.

The post Amazing Grace Opens On Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.

Amazing Grace 

• Theatre: Nederlander Theatre
• First Preview: June 25, 2015
• Opening: July 16, 2015
• Written by Arthur Giron (Book), Arthur Giron and Christopher Smith (Music & Lyrics)
• Director: Gabriel Barre
• Cast: Josh Young, Erin Mackey, Chuck Cooper, Harriet D. Foy, Laiona Michelle, Rachael Ferrera
• A new-original musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A tale of romance, rebellion and redemption that follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.
• Website: http://amazinggracemusical.com/

Hamilton  

• Theatre: Richard Rodgers Theatre
• First Preview: July 13, 2015
• Opening: August 6, 2015
• Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Book, Music & Lyrics)
• Director: Thomas Kail
• Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo
• Originally premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theatre, Hamilton makes its move to the Great White Way. From bastard orphan to Washington’s right hand man, rebel to war hero, loving husband caught in the country’s first sex scandal to Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy, Hamilton is an exploration of a political mastermind.
• Website: http://www.hamiltonbroadway.com/

The Gin Game 

• Theatre: Golden Theatre
• First Preview: Sept. 21, 2015
• Opening: Oct. 13, 2015
• Written by D.L. Coburn
• Director: Leonard Foglia
• Cast: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson
• An elderly couple at a nursing home play an increasingly tense series of gin rummy games as they expose truths about their failures, disappointments and insecurities.

The Color Purple

• Theatre: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
• First Preview: November 9, 2015
• Opening: December 10, 2015
• Written by Marsha Norman (Book), Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray (Music & Lyrics), Alice Walker (Novel)
• Director: John Doyle
• Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks
• Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple follows the inspirational Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. Tickets go on sale June 30.
• Website: http://colorpurple.com/

Shuffle Along 

• Theatre: Music Box Theatre
• First Preview: March 14, 2016
• Opening: April 21, 2016
• Written by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle (Music), George C. Wolfe (Book)
• Director: George C. Wolfe, Savion Glover (Choreography)
• Cast: Audra McDonald, 
• A backstage musical about the events that led to the creation of the groundbreaking Eubie Blake-Noble Sissle 1921 musical Shuffle Along that starred Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson

Children of a Lesser God

• Theatre: TBA
• Target Opening: 2015-16 Season
• Written by Mark Medoff
• Director: Kenny Leon
• Cast: TBA
• The story of James Leeds, a new teacher at a school for the deaf, and Sarah Norman, the school’s one-time star student who has stayed behind as its cleaning woman rather than venturing out into the hearing world. James immediately takes a keen interest in Sarah, and tries to persuade her to communicate orally by lip reading. They soon embark on an emotional journey that will teach them both new ways of communicating and loving and, in the process, they build a romance beyond words.

With such an awesome and diverse lineup–both on stage and behind the scenes– our hope is that these shows can and will be seen by as many people as possible, to show the theatre world what else there is to offer. More diverse storytelling leads to a more diverse audience, which keeps the theatre alive. So do me and everyone else here at Broadway Black a huge favor; if you can get your hands on these tickets GO and while you’re at it, tell a friend or two.

The post Broadway Is The New Black: 2015-16 Season Line-Up appeared first on Broadway Black.

Here is how producers are billing the biographical new musical:

“A new original musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change. John Newton (Tony Award nominee Josh Young), a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father – a slave trader – or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart (Erin Mackey). Accompanied by his slave, Thomas (Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper), John embarks on a perilous voyage on the high seas. When that journey finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home.”

Also featured are Chris Hoch (Mailtda), Stanley Bahorek (Big River), Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia), Laiona Michellev (Book of Mormon nat’l tour), Rachael Ferrera (Broadway debut) and Elizabeth Ward Land (Scandalous).

The ensemble will feature Leslie Becker, Sara Brophy, Rheaume Crenshaw, Miquel Edson, Mike Evariste, Sean Ewing, Savannah Frazier, Christopher Gurr, Allen Kendall, Michael Dean Morgan, Vince Oddo, Oneika Phillips, Clifton Samuels, Gavriel Savit, Dan Sharkey,Bret Shuford, Evan Alexander Smith, Uyoata Udi, Charles E. Wallace, Toni Elizabeth White and Hollie E. Wright.

The creative team for Amazing Grace will include sets by Eugene Lee and Edward Pierce, costumes by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Ken Billington and Paul Miller, sound design by Jon Weston and fight/military movement by David Leong.

To purchase tickets to Amazing Grace visit Ticketmaster.com or call (877) 250-2929. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Nederlander Theatre box office (208 W. 41st St) starting June 1, 2015. Ticket prices range from $65-$139 (all prices include a $2.00 facility fee).

The post Amazing Grace Finds Home On Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.

Broadway Black (BB): Rachael, thank you so much for your time. Let’s start with a brief introduction-where are you from and when did you start performing?

Rachael Ferrera (RF): I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma born and raised! I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and my first performance was when I was 3-years-old. I went to Disneyland and was obsessed with the “It’s a Small World” ride and song so I performed it at my church talent show in a big poofy pink dress. Growing up, I was in choir and took voice lessons in high school but I kind of accidentally fell into theater towards the end of high school. There was a musical happening and my friend wanted to audition but didn’t want to go by herself so I went with her and that kind of changed the course of things. My senior year I applied to NYU for theater- because a friend made me do it- and by the time they were going to make a decision, I realized that this is what I wanted to do. So I went to NYU and studied theater.

BB: Beautiful! Well, how long have you been involved with “Amazing Grace”?

RF: Since 2010. It’s been a journey

BB: Wow! So where was the production at that point?

RF: When I originally auditioned, it was for a closed reading. Literally the cast, creative team, and some of their close friends. It was just for them, they weren’t really trying to get [industry] people involved at that point. They had who they wanted for that moment to be involved in the creative process. It was just for the creative process. I think they only had one reading before that and I was involved in the second.

BB: What was your role for that reading?

RF: It was a little tiny ensemble role with a tiny little feature. Like, tiny! It was one solo-singing line and you saw her one time. Since then, the show has obviously grown and the role has changed. I mean, now it’s a principle role which has been crazy to be a part of and to watch happen and shape itself. It’s really cool!

BB: What are some of your highlights or favorite parts of this 5 year experience?

RF: Well the first thing that comes to my brain isn’t actually a favorite part, it’s the whole thing. Right before my initial audition, I made a list of dreams and career goals and one of the things I wrote on that list was I wanted to be a part of a project and start with it from the very beginning and watch the process- originating a role from the ground up and go with it all the way to Broadway and it’s like every single step in this process has been that. It’s been a dream.

BB: That is amazing! What has been the timeline of this piece?

RF: Readings in New York in 2010 and 2011. Then in spring of 2012, there was a workshop production at Goodspeed [Opera House] which was really cool because that was the first time I got to experience it on its feet. Then after that, there were a couple more industry readings for backers, [etc.] and the next big step was the pre-Broadway production in Chicago last fall. Now, here we are!!

BB: Here you are! Can you tell us a little about your character?

RF: My character’s name is ‘Yema’ and she is a girl living in Sierra Leone- the play takes place in England and Africa. I don’t want to give away too much, but in the story ‘Yema’ functions as a vessel of grace toward ‘John’ [Newton] in some of his darkest moments.

BB: Who should see this show and what do you want audiences to take away from it?

RF: I think everyone should see this show! It is a story about redemption and finding your peace in the middle of a storm, which is something everyone can relate to. And I think what people will take away is hope- an overwhelming feeling of hope. There is so much darkness in this man’s [John Newton] life and he proceeds to move through that and find his light and then share that light with people for centuries after he is gone and to me, that feels like hope.

Chuck Cooper sings Nowhere Left To Run from Amazing Grace

AMAZING GRACE is a world premiere musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.

John Newton a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father — a slave trader — and embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart. But when a perilous voyage on the high seas finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home.

Brimming with emotion and adventure, AMAZING GRACE is an unforgettable musical saga that captures the spirit of history’s sweetest and most powerful sound: freedom.

“Amazing Grace” features music and lyrics by Christopher Smith and a book by Christopher Smith and Arthur Giron. Directed by Gabriel Barre. Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.

Previews begin June 25^th. For tickets and more information, visit www.amazinggracemusical.com

The post Exclusive: Rachael Ferrera Talks Amazing Grace Broadway Debut appeared first on Broadway Black.