The University of Miami graduate got a little nostalgic with his social media followers as he took a literal walk down memory lane through the campus.  Boasting his Miami green “U” tank top and sandals (clearly enjoying the antithesis of New York winter weather), Henry stood proudly in front of the Jerry Herman Ring Theater, the student performance space that cultivated his budding creativity as well as that of several other notable students.

Never forget where you came from. Before I was ready for Broadway, I honed my performing chops here at the University of Miami’s #JerryHermanRingTheater. This is where the fire was fanned. Just visited today and felt all the feelings again! #AllAboutTheU #humblebeginnings

Inside the theater, it was almost as if Henry had stepped back in time and could see and feel all of the experiences he’d had in the space.  He vividly narrated the memory of his first acting class:

This is the black box theater at the University of Miami. Bruce Miller was the first person to give me an acting class in college.  Freshman year we all sat in a circle here and we said something about where we’re from and what we wanna accomplish in the next four years and there was just so much love here, but it just brings back the craziest memories.  Wow.

After graduating from the Coral Gables campus in 2006, Henry instantly landed a role in Godspell at Papermill Playhouse.  By 2007, the crooner was on Broadway with In the Heights.  Henry played “Tin Man” in The Wiz at City Center and a very sexy “Favorite Son” in American Idiot before earning a 2011 Tony Award nomination for his powerful depiction of Haywood Patterson in Scottsboro Boys.

VIDEO: Where did I learn how to act? University of Miami theater department! #DaU #HumbleBeginnings https://t.co/GEPn2c5O3N

— Joshua Henry (@joshuahenry20) January 5, 2016

I’m counting the days until we get to see many of our favorite Broadway Black stars in Shuffle Along, namely, my boo, Mr. Henry.  I’m also hoping that somewhere in Hamilton’s eternal run (because it’s obviously not going anywhere anytime soon) I will get to see a Joshua Henry portrayal of Aaron Burr. #FangirlFantasy.  Lin Manuel, are you listening??

The post Joshua Henry Goes Back to School…Kinda appeared first on Broadway Black.

Broadway actress, Christina Sajous (“Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark”, “American Idiot”) and Ethan Paulini are fighting to erase that memory. The memory of racial slurs, hand cuffs, and police misconduct.

After a night of enjoying an off Broadway production, Sajous and Paulini hail a taxi looking to reach their Harlem destination. After requesting to travel via the West Side highway, the driver, Gregory Adolph, refused the route and began the debauchery.

“I don’t have to do anything for a n- – – -.”

Paulini interjected, only to be met with: “Now the fa- – – – got something to say.”

Their threat to call the police left Adolph unfazed and unbothered.

The pair decided to finish the trip on the subway, but not without paying $20 to a $19.50 fare. Thinking they dogged a headache, Sajous and Paulini head to the station only to be met by the police.

As it turns out the driver was armed with more than just offensive words, but actions to back it up. He called the police claiming Sajous and Paulini did not pay.

Paulini reaches for his receipt to show the officers he paid the fare, instead, the two are handcuffed and told to share their receipt with the judge.

“So (the driver) can insult us and we are the ones getting arrested?” says Sajous. Enforcing superiority in one word, the cop replied “yup”.

They were arrested and booked for not paying their fare and resisting arrest, but luckily those charges were dropped last year.

Saujous and Paulini vs Adolph, the officers, and the city will meet in court for settlements.

No one mourns the wicked. 

The post Discrimination & Police Misconduct: Broadway Star Christina Sajous Seeks Settlement appeared first on Broadway Black.