Led by Executive Director Khady Kamara Nunez and Artistic Director Bill Rauch, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” has unveiled its initial casting lineup, featuring a stellar company of artists whose talents have graced Broadway stages and illuminated New York’s Ballroom floors. The diverse and exceptional cast includes:

Baby (Victoria) two-time winner of Ballroom Women’s Performance of the Year award (Southeast Region); Jonathan Burke (Mungojerrie) from the Tony-winning company of The Inheritance; Emma Sofia Caymares (Skimbleshanks) from the original Broadway cast of Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Tara Lashan Clinkscales (Ensemble) a recent Carnegie Mellon Drama graduate; André De Shields (Old Deuteronomy) Tony Award winner for Hadestown; Sydney James Harcourt (Rum Tum Tugger) from the original Broadway company of Hamilton; Antwayn Hopper (Macavity) from the Tony-winning company of A Strange Loop; Dava Huesca (Understudy) a dancer-performer and member of Dance Theater Company VIM VIGOR; Dudney Joseph Jr. (Munkustrap) a member of the Ballroom community since 2011; Capital Kaos (DJ) a renowned Ballroom DJ; Junior LaBeija (Gus) member of the iconic house of House of LaBeija and MC in the documentary “Paris is Burning;” Ballroom icon Dominique Lee (Understudy); Robert “Silk” Mason (Mistoffelees) the founding mother of the new Kiki Royal Haus of Silk; “Tempress” Chasity Moore (Grizabella) a Ballroom Icon and the founder and Queen Mother of the house of Maison Margiela; Shereen Pimentel (Jellylorum) from the Broadway revival of West Side Story; Primo (Tumblebrutus) longtime member of the Ballroom community; Nora Schell (Bustopher Jones) from Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill; Kendall G. Stroud (Understudy) a recent NYU Tisch Drama grad and member of the Ballroom community; Frank Viveros (Ensemble) from Broadway’s Camelot and Aladdin; Garnet Williams (Bombalurina) a national concert performer; and Teddy Wilson Jr. (Sillabub) a recent graduate from Penn State’s Musical Theater program. Additional casting will be announced soon

The production boasts an impressive creative team, including directors Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicken & Biscuits), the youngest Black director in Broadway history, and Bill Rauch, choreographers Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, and a lineup of designers and consultants dedicated to bringing this reimagined vision of Cats to life including:

Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Qween Jean (Costume Design), Adam Honoré (Lighting Design), Kai Harada (Sound Design), Brittany Bland (Projection Design), Nikiya Mathis (Hair/Wig Design), William Waldrop (Music Supervision and Music Direction), David Lai (Music Coordinator), Trevor Holder (Beats Arrangement), Capital Kaos (Ballroom Consultant), Josephine Kearns (Dramaturg & Gender Consultant), X Casting/ Victor Vazquez CSA, and Sujotta R. Pace CSA (Casting).

With all-new Ballroom and club beats, runway-ready choreography, and an edgy eleganza makeover, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” promises to be a celebration of joyous transformation and self-expression at the heart of both Cats and Ballroom culture itself.

Scheduled to begin performances on June 13, 2024, with opening night on June 20, 2024, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” will run through July 14, 2024, offering a limited engagement for audiences to experience this groundbreaking production. Presented by arrangement with The Really Useful Group, this reimagined take on Cats is set to redefine the boundaries of theatre and showcase the creativity and innovation within the industry.

From the visionary direction to the exceptional cast and creative team, Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” promises an unforgettable theatrical experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of Black talent and the vibrant spirit of Ballroom culture. Audiences are invited to come together and witness the magic of this reimagined classic, where artistry and storytelling converge in a dynamic and immersive production unlike any other.

The post André De Shields, “Tempress” Chasity Moore, Antwayn Hopper + More To Star in <em>Cats: “The Jellicle Ball”</em> appeared first on Broadway Black.

The podcast is presented by the Onassis Foundation, TRAX podcast network, and public media organization PRX. Additionally, it is also produced by Chavkin’s company “The Team “and resident director of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Zhailon Levingston will co-direct with Chavkin. Live From Mount Olympus episodes are written by Alexie Basil and Nathan Yungerberg. 

The story follows Perseus (Divine Garland) and his journey to save his mother from an evil king. The cast includes Tony winner De Shields returning as Hermes, Tony nominee Gray portraying Cassiopeia, Levingston, Vinie Burrows, Jill Frutkin, Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Christina Liberus, Nehemiah Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Kristen Sieh, and Jillian Walker. The podcast is sound designed by David Schulman, story editing by Nalini Jones, music by Maga Giannikou, and illustrations by Jason Adam Katzenstein.

New episodes will stream for free every Tuesday through March 9. Live From Mount Olympus is available anywhere podcasts can be accessed!

The post Way Down in Mount Olympus: Amber Gray, Andre De Shields, and More Star in New Podcast! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Photo Courtesy of Flushing Town Hall

Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King) will lead the series on February 5 as civil rights hero John Lewis, who passed away last summer after decades of fighting for equality and getting into “good trouble.” His piece, “John Lewis: A Pioneer for Justice,” will highlight many of his speeches and be followed by a virtual Q&A with the audience. Tony winner Lillias White (The Life) will pay homage to legendary jazz singer, Sarah Vaughn in “Divine Sass: A Tribute to the Music, Life, and Legacy of Sarah Vaughn” on February 18. White, who conceived and wrote the show, will honor the trailblazing musician who helped in desegregating the airwaves in the 1960s and 1970s. Culminating the series is Tony Award winner Andre De Shields (Hadestown) stepping into the shoes of the prolific orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass in “Andre De Shields is Frederick Douglass: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” on February 26.  Douglass’ famed speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” was just one of his many declarations for early America to reflect on their treatment of African Americans. 

Part of Flushing Town Hall’s FTH At Home! virtual programming series, the events are free with a suggested donation to help keep the arts organization alive. Each week the performance begins at 7:00 pm. To RSVP for the February 18 event with Lillias White, visit HERE. To RSVP for the Andre De Shields event on February 26, visit HERE. 

For more information on upcoming programming at Flushing Town Hall, visit flushingtownhall.org.

The post Black History Series Features Performances by Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White, and Andre De Shields. appeared first on Broadway Black.

In a special and intimate conversation hosted by Red Bull Theater’s Associate Artistic Director, David Winkelstein, Tony Award winner Andre De Shields (

During the interview, De Shields says, “It was such an exciting and heart-opening, mind-opening, and spirit-opening experience for me.” He goes on to talk about an actor’s purpose, their mission, and their responsibility as a creative when approaching a role. He states, “It is the actor’s process to allow, not force, these three ingredients [mind, body, and spirit] to converge; and when they converge, we have created the most precious gem with the most facets through which we can refract our light…”

The podcast was recorded on February 1, 2021 and you can check out the full video below.

The post The Wizard and The Bard: Andre De Shields In Conversation About Shakespeare’s King Lear 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.

So you want to meet the Wizard? 

Well, André De Shields’ sass, style, and excellence in theatre will be honored at the 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts on November 9, 2015 at DePaul University.

Known as a man who honored his parents’ deferred dreams of being entertainers by forging his own path to Broadway, André De Shields did more than just become an entertainer— he became a monument of creativity, spreading his talents to acting, directing, choreography and education. 

De Shields has been in the business for over forty-six years. He began his professional career in the 1969 Chicago production of Hair. He went on to join the Civic Opera House’s company of The Me Nobody Knows at the Civic Opera House. Finally, he became a member of The Organic Theatre Company’s Warp! as Xander the Unconquerable, Ruler of the Sixth Dimension.

Most notably, De Shields is known for originating the titular role of The Wiz on Broadway and for his work in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Play On! and The Full Monty. 

He is a two-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy Award winner, and a recipient of the Village Voice OBIE Award. Mr. De Shields is currently rehearsing GOTTA DANCE, the new Broadway-bound musical about professional basketball’s first ever 60-and-older dance team.

The 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts honors  artists and visionaries who have paved the way and left a legacy in the arts. All proceeds from the event directly benefit The Theatre School Scholarship Fund, supporting students from all over the nation to train at the school.

The post André De Shields Awarded for Excellence in the Arts appeared first on Broadway Black.

New cast members include Tracy Jai Edwards, Madeleine Doherty, Kay Walbye, Lenora Nemetz, Alexander Aguilar, Colby Lewis, Diane Findlay and Paula Caselton.

Gotta Dance, based on the 2008 documentary of the same name, will open on December 13 at Broadway In Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre. The production is headed to Broadway in the Spring of 2016. It tells the story of an amazing group of seniors who love to dance, their ambitious and overly zealous trainers and the art form that brings them together.

As described on the production’s website: From the director/choreographer of Kinky Boots comes the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major NBA team. They have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60. It isn’t until they make the cut that they find out they won’t be dancing tap, salsa or swing—they are going to bring down the house with a style that’s entirely new to them: hip hop. Don’t miss this original Broadway-bound musical about a group of ordinary seniors with extraordinary dreams as they battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20 thousand screaming fans.

Take a look at rehearsals and the making of Broadway’s next musical sensation via Broadway Chicago’s YouTube Channel.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

The post Broadway-Bound Musical, Gotta Dance, Adds New Cast Members appeared first on Broadway Black.

Marcia Pendelton

In association with Project1Voice and Harlem Hospital, the free event took place in the Herbert Cave Auditorium of Harlem Hospital Center. Act 1 – entitled “Sip, Shop and Bid” – featured Pendleton’s favorite fashion and accessory designers, with silent-auction proceeds benefiting designated theatre companies. Act 2 – titled “Show Out!” – was 90 minutes of special performances by artists and organizations among the rolodex of Walk Tall Girl Productions.

Featured artists were: Darius Crenshaw; Tony nominee André De Shields (The Wiz, The Full Monty); Eden Duncan-Smith (Fences, The Lion King); Marva Hicks (Motown The Musical); Ebony JoAnn (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom); Jamal Story (Motown the Musical, The Color Purple 2005); and Rema Webb (The Lion King, Violet, The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple 2015). Organizations included: Classical Theatre of Harlem; Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn; Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre; Sounds of Praise of Emmanuel Baptist Church; and The Designers Corner.

Founded in 2000, Walk Tall Girl Productions is a boutique marking, audience development and group sales agency dedicated to bringing diverse audiences to the arts on Broadway and beyond. The company, which specializes in theatre and reaching communities from the African Diaspora, has a client list that includes The Public Theater, The New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, National Black Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Urban Bush Women Dance Company. Productions receiving Pendleton’s services have included: Motown: The Musical; the Debbie Allen-directed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Fences (with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis); and Fela!

Born and raised in Philadelphia and now a resident of Brooklyn, NY, Pendelton holds a bachelor’s in sociology (St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia) and a master’s in theatre management (University of Maryland, College Park). She is a member of the Harlem Arts Alliance and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.

The post Walk Tall Girl Productions Celebrated 15 Years With A Taste of My World appeared first on Broadway Black.

To celebrate the occasion, George Faison, renowned producer, writer, composer, director, dancer and choreographer and of the original Broadway production, will present performances of original songs and dances from the show on August 12th in Central Park (Rumsey Playfield) & August 13-14 at 7:00pm at Marcus Garvey Park in New York.

The performance, The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music, will feature performances by several members of the original Broadway cast. Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, who played a munchkin and swing in the original production, will co-host the performance with Faison. André De Shields will reprise his original role as the “Wiz;” Dee Dee Bridgewater, who won a Tony Award for her role as “Glinda,” will reprise this original role; and Ebony Jo-Ann will reprise her role as “Addaperle,” which she played in the Broadway revival of the production. Singer-songwriter Wallace Gary will join the cast as the “Scarecrow.” Damien L. Sneed will act as the musical director and conductor.

The Wiz was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score – Charlie Smalls, Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Ted Ross, Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Dee Dee Bridgewater, Best Costume Design – Geoffrey Holder, Best Choreography – Faison, and Best Direction of a Musical – Holder. The production also received five Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Musical – Ken Harper, Outstanding Music and Lyrics – Charlie Smalls, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Ted Ross, Outstanding Choreography – George Faison, and Outstanding Costume Design – Geoffrey Holder.

Faison, who was the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Choreography, has created a GoFundMe campaign to help with the costs associated with recreating this groundbreaking musical. To lend your support, visit the GoFund Me that has been setup.

Don’t forget, In addition to the performances at Marcus Garvey Park on August 13-14th, the musical will also be performed August 12 at 8:00 pm at Rumsey Playfield. The performances are a part of Summer Stages 30^th Anniversary season and are free.

The post The Wiz Celebrates 40 Years Of Greatness Hosted By Phylicia Rashad appeared first on Broadway Black.

Proving that “age ain’t nothing but a number,” Gotta Dance tells the true story of a group of professional dancers who, in 2007, were tasked with getting a New Jersey basketball team’s senior citizen dance troupe performance-ready for their center court hip-hop debut. The tale proves that through an unlikely art form and a few cool moves, generation gaps can be crossed and friendships are formed.

Andre De Shields. Photo: Lia Chang

According to Broadway In Chicago;

This Broadway-bound musical brings together an all-star creative team that includes original music by the legendary Marvin Hamlisch (an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar winner), Tony Award-nominee Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer), lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), a book by Tony Award-nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin), Tony Award-winner Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots). Gotta Dance is a heartwarming and hilarious story of triumph and joy that is sure to make you dance in the aisles.

The musical will begin performances on Dec. 13, 2015 at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre, where it will run until Jan. 10, 2016. Broadway dates and venue are still TBD.  Tickets for groups are on sale now by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets will be available soon. If you are in Chicago, this is the perfect chance to see the musical before it takes NYC by storm.

The post Lillias White & Andre De Shields Star In Broadway-Bound Gotta Dance appeared first on Broadway Black.