The Antonyo Awards were originally conceived in 2020 by Drew Shade of the multimedia company Broadway Black, which is dedicated to highlighting the achievements and successes of African American theatre artists on and off the Broadway stage. 

The inaugural ceremony, presented on Juneteenth 2020, was live-streamed on YouTube and was heralded by international press, including The New York Times, NPR and the BBC. The 2020 Antonyo Awards were the first awards show to feature non-gendered categories.

“The Antonyo Awards were born to remind ourselves of the joy that Black theatre artists have created in a fractured country,” Shade commented. “For almost 10 years Broadway Black has championed Black voices in many different ways and we are thrilled to move from the well-received initial streaming broadcast in our first year to a fully produced awards ceremony at the legendary Apollo Theater, the centerpiece of live performance in Harlem.”

Nominations for the 2022 Awards were announced on Monday, June 20, 2022 (Juneteenth Observed).

The nominating committee consisted of theatre professionals Alaina Newell, Ayanna Prescod, Brittani Samuel, Juan Michael Porter II, Eric Emauni, Drew Shade, Judith Lovell, and Cody Renard Richard.

Nominations for the 2021-2022 Antonyo Awards are: 

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY (OFF-BROADWAY) 
Abena, Merry Wives
Stephanie Berry, On Sugarland
Billy Eugene Jones, On Sugarland
Andrea Patterson, Confederates
Andrea Patterson, Cullud Wattah
Alicia Pilgrim, Cullud Wattah
Britton Smith, To My Girls

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY (BROADWAY)
Ron Cephas Jones, Clyde’s
Chuck Cooper, Trouble in Mind
Brandon J. Dirden, Skeleton Crew
Luke James, Thoughts of a Colored Man
Tendayi Kuumba, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Kenita R. Miller, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Kara Young, Clyde’s

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (OFF-BROADWAY)
Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo
Adrianne Danrich, Intimate Apparel
Alysha Deslorieux, The Visitor
Tamika Lawrence, Black No More
Ephraim Sykes, Black No More
Lillias White, Black No More

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (BROADWAY)
Charity Angel Dawson, Mrs. Doubtfire
Sidney DuPont, Paradise Square
Ayana George, MJ: The Musical
Jared Grimes, Funny Girl
James Jackson Jr., A Strange Loop
L Morgan Lee, A Strange Loop
Tavon Olds-Sample, MJ: The Musical

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bill T. Jones, Chloe Davis, Gelan Lambert, Paradise Square
Raja Feather Kelly, A Strange Loop
Darrell Grand Moultrie, Space Dogs
Adesola Osakalumi, Skeleton Crew
Ellenore Scott & Ayodele Casel, Funny Girl
Ellenore Scott & Jeffrey Alkins, Mr. Saturday Night

BEST DIRECTION (OFF-BROADWAY)
Saheem Ali, Merry Wives
Saheem Ali, Nollywood Dreams
Stori Ayers, Confederates
Candis C. Jones, Cullud Wattah
Awoye Timpo, Wedding Band
Whitney White, On Sugarland

BEST DIRECTION (BROADWAY)
Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin of Our Teeth
Steve H. Broadnax III, Thoughts of a Colored Man
Camille A. Brown, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Zhailon Levingston, Chicken & Biscuits
Charles Randolph-Wright, Trouble in Mind
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Skeleton Crew

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Kathy A. Perkins, Trouble in Mind

Stacey Derosier, Wedding Band

Alan C. Edwards, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992

BEST SCENIC DESIGN
Chris Cumberbatch, Gong Lum’s Legacy
Lawrence E. Moten III, Chicken & Biscuits

BEST SOUND DESIGN
Rena Anakwe, Wedding Band
Justin Ellington, Clyde’s
Justin Ellington, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Jimmy Keys, Confederates
Twi McCallum, Little Girl Blue
Mikaal Sulaiman, On Sugarland

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (OFF-BROADWAY)
Dede M. Ayite, Merry Wives
Dede M. Ayite, Nollywood Dreams
Ari Fulton, Confederates
Kara Harmon, Cullud Wattah
Toni-Leslie James, Suffs
Qween Jean, On Sugarland

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (BROADWAY)
Montana Levi Blanco, The Skin of Our Teeth
Sarafina Bush, Pass Over
Sarafina Bush, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Toni-Leslie James, Paradise Square
Emilio Sosa, Skeleton Crew
Paul Tazewell, MJ: The Musical

BEST WIG/HAIR DESIGN (BROADWAY)
Cookie Jordan, Clyde’s
Cookie Jordan, The Skin of Our Teeth
Nikiya Mathis, Nollywood Dreams
Nikiya Mathis, Confederates
Earon Chew Nealey, Cullud Wattah
Earon Chew Nealey, On Sugarland

BEST DIGITAL THEATER PRODUCTION
After Midnight, Signature Theatre Streaming On Demand
The Last 5 Years, Out of the Box Theatrics and Holmdel Theatre Company
Semblance, New York Theatre Workshop

BEST AUDIO THEATER PRODUCTION
Dreamgirls on Clubhouse, Leroy Church
The Lion King on Clubhouse, Noelle Chesnut Whitmore
Mugabe, My Dad & Me, Tonderai Munyevu, Audible Theater
Paradise Blue, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Audible Theater

BEST MUSICAL ENSEMBLE
Black No More
Caroline, Or Change
Intimate Apparel 
MJ: The Musical
Paradise Square
A Strange Loop
The Visitor

BEST PLAY ENSEMBLE
Clyde’s
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Skeleton Crew
The Skin of Our Teeth
Thoughts of a Colored Man
What To Send Up When It Goes Down
Wedding Band

BEST MUSIC IN A PLAY
Starr Busby, On Sugarland
Justin Ellington, Tambo & Bones
Justin Hicks, Cullud Wattah
Alphonso Horne, Wedding Band
Te’La and Kamauu, & Keenen Scott II, Thoughts of a Colored Man
Jimmy Keys, Skeleton Crew
Bill Sims Jr., Lackawanna Blues

BEST ORCHESTRATION
Joseph Joubert, Caroline, or Change
Daryl Waters, Black No More
Jason Michael Webb, MJ: The Musical

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Masi Asare, Paradise Square
Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop
James Posner, Daryl Waters, Anthony Tidd, Tariq Trotter, Black No More

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Kwame Kweo-Armah, The Visitor
Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel
Lynn Nottage, MJ: The Musical
John Ridley, Black No More

*NOTE: A Strange Loop was ineligible, as it won this category in 2020. Productions are ineligible for nomination if they have previously won the category for the same work.

BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lackawanna Blues
Laiona Michelle, Little Girl Blue

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY (OFF-BROADWAY)
Kyle Beltran, Case for the Existence of God
Crystal A. Dickinson, Cullud Wattah
Susan Kelechi Watson, Merry Wives
Kiki Layne, On Sugarland
Kristolyn Lloyd, Confederates
Jacob Ming-Trent, Merry Wives
Daniel J. Watts, The Last of the Love Letters

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY (BROADWAY)
Uzo Aduba, Clyde’s
Gabby Beans, The Skin of Our Teeth
Laurence Fishburne, American Buffalo
LaChanze, Trouble in Mind
Ruth Negga, Macbeth
Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew
Namir Smallwood, Pass Over

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (OFF-BROADWAY)
Justin Austin, Intimate Apparel 
Kearstin Piper Brown, Intimate Apparel
Brandon Victor Dixon, Black No More
Britney Nicole Simpson, Penelope, or How the Odyssey Was Really Written
Bryonha Marie Parham, A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet
Tariq Trotter, Black No More

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (BROADWAY)
Sharon D. Clarke, Caroline, or Change
Myles Frost, MJ: The Musical
Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square
Jaquel Spivey, A Strange Loop

BEST REVIVAL
Macbeth
Skeleton Crew
Trouble in Mind
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
Merry Wives
The Skin of Our Teeth

**NOTE: for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
was ineligible, as it won this category in 2020. Productions are ineligible for nomination if they have previously won the category.

BEST PLAY
Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage
Confederates by Dominique Morisseau
Cullud Wattah by Erika Dickerson-Despenza
Nollywood Dreams by Jocelyn Bioh
On Sugarland by Aleshea Harris
Thoughts of a Colored Man by Keenan Scott II
What To Send Up When It Goes Down by Aleshea Harris

BEST MUSICAL
Black No More
Caroline, or Change
Intimate Apparel
MJ: The Musical
Paradise Square
A Strange Loop

LORRAINE HANSBERRY AWARD
This award is given to a Black female-identified or nonbinary femme playwright/book writer whose contributions to the stage have exemplified the balance of dynamic storytelling and social justice ideologies. 

Erika Dickerson-Despenza

LANGSTON HUGHES AWARD
This award is given to a Black male-identified or nonbinary masc playwright/book writer whose contributions to the stage have exemplified the balance of dynamic storytelling and social justice ideologies.

Mansa Ra

THE DOORS OF THE THEATRE ARE OPEN AWARD OR THE DR. BARBARA ANN TEER AWARD
This award is presented to a theatre company or brick-and-mortar theatre that has demonstrated a fervent commitment to celebrating and uplifting the full breadth of Black people’s humanity. 

Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio

THE WELCOME AWARD OR THE KYLE JEAN-BAPTISTE AWARD
This award is presented to newcomers in the New York Black Theatre scene who show great promise to contribute a great deal to our community.

Esco Jouléy for their work in Wolf Play

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT ANTONYO AWARD

Leslie Uggams

Shows by nominations:

Black No More – 10 
On Sugarland – 9
Cullud Wattah – 8
MJ: The Musical – 8 
Skeleton Crew – 8
A Strange Loop – 7 
Clyde’s – 7 
Confederates – 7  
Paradise Square – 7 
Intimate Apparel – 6 
Merry Wives – 6
The Skin of Our Teeth – 6 
Thoughts of a Colored Man – 5 
Wedding Band – 5 
Caroline, or Change – 4 
for colored girls… – 4 
Nollywood Dreams – 4 
Trouble in Mind – 4
Chicken & Biscuits – 2 
Funny Girl – 2 
Lackawanna Blues – 2 
Little Girl Blue – 2 
Macbeth – 2 
Pass Over – 2 
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 – 2 
The Visitor – 2
What to Send Up When It Goes Down – 2 
After Midnight – 1 
American Buffalo – 1 
Case for the Existence of God – 1
A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet – 1
Dreamgirls on Clubhouse – 1 
Gong Lum’s Legacy – 1 
Kimberly Akimbo – 1
The Last 5 Years – 1 
The Last of the Love Letters – 1
The Lion King on Clubhouse – 1 
Penelope, or How the Odyssey Was Really Written – 1
Mr. Saturday Night – 1  
Mrs. Doubtfire – 1 
Mugabe, My Dad & Me – 1
Paradise Blue – 1 
Semblance – 1 
Space Dogs – 1 
Suffs – 1 
Tambo & Bones – 1
To My Girls – 1

The post The 2nd Annual Antonyo Awards To Be Presented Live at the Legendary Apollo Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

Photo Courtesy of Apollo Theater’s Instagram

As we approach the one-year anniversary of quarantine in NYC and Broadway shows being shut down for an unforeseeable future, Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York State officials have just given a little bit of hope. Through a new initiative called NY PopsUp, some performing arts venues in New York City and New York State will open its doors for spontaneous and curated performances (mostly free for the public) as part of a festival. A new series, that the governor’s office states is “intended to revitalize the spirit and emotional well-being of New York citizens with the energy of live performance while jumpstarting New York’s struggling live entertainment sector…”, will open up opportunities for a safe and gradual transition to a full Broadway reopening. This pilot program will set the standards and expectations for the future of Broadway. The initiative is also co-led by Scott Rudin and Jane Rosenthal. 

Theater venues with flexible seating that can allow for appropriate social distancing, will allow visitors the chance to relive the days of in-person theatre entertainment. Some of those performing arts venues include The Apollo Theater in Harlem, St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, National Black Theatre, and the Music Box on 45th street; right in the heart of the theatre district. Audiences up to 33% of the usual capacity, with a maximum of 100 individuals indoors and 200 outdoors are the guidelines set and approved by the New York State Department of Health, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Empire State Development. 

Artists from all walks of life will participate in this ongoing festival with special performances and appearances from Tony-winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Chris Rock (The Motherf**ker with the Hat), Drama Desk-winner Larry Owens (A Strange Loop), Tony-winner Savion Glover (Shuffle Along), opera singer J’Nai Bridges (Carmen) and Tony-nominee Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple).

All those who work in the arts have been devastated by the pandemic.

Today we announce NY PopsUp—a nation-leading initiative to accelerate the revival of the arts: the creative energy that defines NY.

It will feature 300+ pop-up arts events across NYS. Watch for one near you. pic.twitter.com/LB0PO5OvzE

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 8, 2021

Even though the program started in February, performances in venues like the Music Box will welcome guests beginning in April. Programming updates will occur on a rolling basis.

The post Curtains Rise On Some NYC Theatre Venues in April as Part of NY PopsUp Initiative appeared first on Broadway Black.

As Black people are speaking up and speaking out against institutional racism, the arts community is not immune to a movement that demands change. Throughout the digital space, artists and audiences are holding arts institutions accountable for their role in racist policies and practices. These arts institutions are scrambling to find ways to engage Black community.  As a result, an anonymous Broadway Fan understood change needed to begin with adding the Apollo as an official Broadway house. With such a strong history of community engagement, the Apollo is a natural start to creating the change that will transform the lives of Black artists. 

Among its list of changes, Broadway Fan wishes to increase Black artists eligibility of winning Tony Awards and further engage Harlem in the Broadway culture that so defines New York City. Lists of changes include: entrance to the Broadway League as a board member; direct board participation at American Theatre Wing, which is also connected to The Tony Awards and The Obie Awards; direct exposure and opportunity for Spring Road conference participation; and a vote for who is nominating the shows. 

Like many art institutions and corporations during this time, the Broadway League proclaims that Black Lives Matter and vows to “open doors, hearts and minds that will lead to understanding, action and change.” Out of the 49 Boards of Governors, two are Black. 

With educational programs, a dedication to developing new talents, and a strong sense of community, Apollo demonstrates its value to Broadway. If institutions like the Broadway League and American Theatre Wing truly want to open the doors that lead to change, listening to the voices of the 15,000 petition signers may be their best bet. 

photo credit to: Kate Glicksberg

Renee Ombaba is the founder of Black Women in Opera (B.W.I.O.), LLC. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Jackson State University and her MA in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi.

The post Apollo Theater Supporters Create Petition To Make it a Broadway House appeared first on Broadway Black.

Luckily for me and you, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy the Mykal experience. He’s performing at the Apollo Theater on Friday, February 5 at 10pm, as part of  The Apollo Music Café series. 

Kilgore was recently seen on NBC’s broadcast of The Wiz Live! But he stole my heart with his rendition of “Crush on You” by Lyons & Pakchar. He snatched my edges with the Broadway Black exclusive video of “Defying Gravity.” He slayed me with his rendition of “My Heart Will Go On. And brought me back to life in The First Noel at The Classical Theatre of Harlem. On the stage, Kilgore has been seen in Hair, Motown the Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Marley. 

All extraness aside, Kilgore has surpassed someone to take notice of, he’s here. Living his best life.

Mykal Kilgore is originally from Florida and grew up in the church as one of nine children. His gospel roots are evident in his sound, which successfully combines a touch of gospel, soul and doo-wop. He attended Florida State University where he fell in love with theatre. Currently, Kilgore has been making waves with his work with Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern JukeBox, a rotating group of musicians producing covers of pop songs in jazz, ragtime, and swing styles. The group takes modern pop songs from artists like Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion and Lordes and reworks them into amazing vintage jazz and pop renditions. Be on the look out for his solo album coming later in 2016.

The Apollo Music Cafe Series is designed “to bring independent, cutting-edge artists to a forward-thinking audience.” This event was Curated by Dwight Jordan and will feature DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry. Get tickets HERE.

Take a look at what happened the last time Mykal was in concert below. We were there!

The post Mykal Kilgore Brings Life To The Apollo Theater’s Music Cafe appeared first on Broadway Black.

Those of us who remember staying up until midnight to watch the weekly variety show know that theme song well. But many of us only know one small part of The Apollo Theater great legacy. Now, director Lee Daniels is bringing the historic venue’s history to life.

Daniels announced that he will be directing a documentary about the theater. The acclaimed director is known for putting his raw and gritty style on “Empire”, “Precious”, and “The Butler”. Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa of White Horse Pictures are producing the project.

And what’s even greater is the project needs your help. Daniels and The Apollo have already set up a website and are seeking submissions. According to the site:

“We are asking members of the community who have been to the Apollo, who may have parents or grandparents or other family members or friends who have done so, to help us find any material – audience footage, photographs, or other memories that we can use in our documentary film.  We have established a website for anyone who wants to submit. We will, of course, respect everybody’s ownership of their property.” 

So if you have any memories of being in the theater, getting a cane around your waist after you murder a rendition of Vision of Love, or whatever, check out the site, and share your past. Can’t wait for the doc and a chance to put some shine on a legendary theater.

The post Lee Daniels and Apollo Seek Submissions for Documentary appeared first on Broadway Black.

It’s yet another year of #OscarsSoWhite and with the fresh coining of #AllPerspectivesMatters, and our upcoming “A Brand New Day: Diversity On Broadway!” BroadwayCon panel, we hope to hear how race and privilege are affecting the arts community as part of this discussion. 

Traditionally, this is event is co-hosted by WYNC’s Brian Leher ,but this year he will be joined by Jami Floyd who is currently the host of WNYC’s “All Things Considered”, an attorney and legal analyst, and journalist with a career that spans over two decades. Among her many accolades, Floyd became the first and only African American and woman to cover Law & Justice Correspondence during her time at ABC News. It is from this expertise and experience that Floyd and Leher will moderate a discussion on “disparity in America by looking at the impact of institutional racism while exploring race and privilege.”

For a long time, The Apollo Theater has been a place that represents culture and community for Harlem. Uptown Hall is an ongoing effort that “creatively and uniquely weaves panel discussions, video, texting, and live performances to enhance and develop an interactive forum for the community to discover and/or address key issues.” 

The live performances will be just as impactful as the discussion. The night’s entertainment will be led by composer and contemporary artist, Daniel Bernard Roumain. Special Guests include Marc Bamuthi Joseph (poet, playwright, and National Poetry Slam Champion) and singer Emeline Michel.

This event is free to the public. To RSVP visit https://www.apollotheater.org/event/uptown-hall/

The post Race and Privilege: Exploring MLK’s Two Americas Discussion At Apollo Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

The Apollo Theater presents its annual Amateur Night Holiday Special,  a community favorite and one of the highlights of the Apollo season. The special show is an evening of entertainment presented by talented child dancers, musicians and singers all who are past Amateur Night Stars of Tomorrow winners.

This year features special guest performances by TV and Broadway performer Corbin Bleu (In the Heights, Godspell) and breakout star of NBC’s The Wiz Live! Shanice Williams. Co-hosted by Chaz Shepherd and Corbin Bleu.

Some of the performers for the night include Alexis Morrast, Christian Guardino, Lianah Sta. Ana, Mathew Whitaker, Dominique Gervais, Solomon Hicks, Austin Paul Jr. , Haruto Maeda, Street Justice Crew and Ex-Crew of Junior Exile.

Amateur Night at the Apollo is one of New York’s most popular live entertainment experiences, attracting performers and audiences  from all over the world. Amateur Night is known for its “tough crowd” audience that ultimately decides who will go on to win the grand prize. That is if they aren’t swept off the stage first. Many singers and even some Broadway Black stars got their start on the famous Apollo stage including Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, and Williams’ own co-stars Ne-Yo and Stephanie Mills (who won Amateur Night six weeks in a row when she was only 11 years old!)

Amateur Night Holiday Special is a one-night only special on Saturday, December 19th starting at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased here.

In NYC?! You can see @luvbeingshanice live @apollotheater as guest for #amateurnightapollo TONIGHT! Make your way to Harlem!

A photo posted by Broadway Black (@broadwayblack) on Dec 19, 2015 at 8:24am PST

The post Shanice Williams To Perform At The Apollo Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

The First Noel, a commissioned work by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond Thompson, has released a video from the show called “Life Happens” to give us a glimpse into this new and refreshing holiday narrative. It is, in a word, chilling. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the show shapes around this one piece of the puzzle. If this is a litmus test for the passion and creativity that has been pured into this work, I think we are all going to be in for a treat.

Following three generations of a family in Harlem, The First Noel touches on the topics of resilience, renewal, and community.  A tragic loss has stolen the holiday joy for this family, but all is well when Grandma unexpectedly comes back to town. The generous acts of many help rebuild the love and morale, one person at a time.

As previously reported, The First Noel will be on stage Dec 13-31, with previews Dec. 11-12 at The Classical Theatre of Harlem. Composer/lyricist Jason Michael Webb (Brooklyn Tabernacle, Motown: The Musical, Violet) and writer/lyricist Lelund Durond Thompson (CTH artistic associate and founder of YellaFella Entertainment) created the work over two years. The duo has re-imagined classic Christmas songs as well as created new melodies designed to become holiday favorites. The soundscape is wonderland of disco, rock and gospel genres. Tickets are limited, as the Soundstage only holds 200 people. Delight in joy of the holidays this Christmas. Get your tickets now!

And if you haven’t seen this video of the first rehearsal for the show, let me bless you.  Mykal Kilgore is in here SAAAAAAANGING!

The post Must See: First Glimpse Of The First Noel, “Life Happens”! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Composer/lyricist Jason Michael Webb (Brooklyn Tabernacle, Motown: The Musical, Violet) and writer/lyricist Lelund Durond Thompson (CTH artistic associate and founder of YellaFella Entertainment) created the commissioned work over two years. The duo has re-imagined classic Christmas songs as well as created new melodies designed to become holiday favorites. The soundscape is a wonderland of disco, rock and gospel genres.

Performed in the 200-seat intimate Soundstage, the musical follows three generations of a Harlem family still affected by the tragic loss of a loved one. An unexpected visit from Grandma reveals some long-absent Christmas joy. It is a universal story about how a community is healed, one family at a time, as everyday people do extraordinary things to help one another receive the gift of love.

CTH artistic director Ty Jones has described it as “Dickens for the 21st Century.” With Equity principal auditions taking place in September, the cast has yet to be announced. In May, when Broadway Black reported the production as “bringing something fresh to the holiday season,” the excitement was much like that of Webb under the Apollo marquee.

Leading the artistic team is director Steve H. Broadnax III. Broadnax, an associate professor of theatre at Pennsylvania State University whose work has been featured at Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, also has showcased at The Kennedy Center with his award-winning The Hip Hop Project. The original play, which has toured nationally, was conceived, directed and choreographed by Broadnax.

Having opened its 15th anniversary season with a benefit concert featured the music of the Griffin Matthews–Matt Gould Witness Uganda (now titled Invisible Thread) at the Soundstage, CTH returns to the historic Harlem venue for its official debut.

Founded in 1999, CTH presents stories through the lens of the African Diaspora that honor the cultural legacy of the neighborhood in which it was founded. In a Theater Pizzazz interview, Jones notes CTH was in financial distress and lost the confidence of many supporters when he arrived in 2009. Now CTH has attracted major donors and has developed notable programming that reflects the diversity of ideas and racial tapestry that is America.

“We are part of the renovation of the community,” said Jones in his interview of the changes Harlem continues to experience. “We want to engage with the community.”

Tickets for The First Noel are on sale now HERE. Follow CTH at @classicalharlem.

The post The First Noel Gears Up For A Harlem Christmas At The Apollo appeared first on Broadway Black.

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of New York Times best-selling author E. Lynn Harris’ classic American love story INVISIBLE LIFE. This explosive Musical adaptation addresses the conflicts of Sexuality, Religion, HIV/AIDS and Family in America. Soul-stirring R&B mixed with Paradise Garage grooves, everybody will Sing, Vogue & Live!! RAYMOND, a college football player, dreams of a future as a lawyer and family man with his childhood sweetheart SELA, but is seduced into a Down-Low romance by star Quarterback, BASIL HENDERSON. Pressured by his Father to continue his NFL legacy, Raymond escapes to New York City and falls madly in love with a Broadway Diva, NICOLE. Raymond’s scandal-reunion with Basil, and fashionista best friends KYLE & JJ, threatens his Perfect World and forces Raymond to Live his Life in Truth…

The cast is full of Broadway star power.  Tony Award nominee Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe’s Cafe) will portray Mama Tyler, the mother of Raymond Tyler Jr., who will be played by Gregory Williams. Raymond’s two closest friends Kyle and JJ, will be Terry Lavell (La Cage aux Folles) and Grammy- nominated Frenchie Davis (RENT)

Director Proteus Spann said in a statement recently:

“It is a tremendous honor to work with some of the most talented group of actors this industry has to offer having gone through an extremely delicate and grueling audition process where casting the most appropriate and qualified actors to breathe life into these unforgettable characters the public has come to know and love through E. Lynn’s novels was highly critical.”

And we couldn’t agree more! Get your tickets now! Find out how below!

Showtimes & Tickets:

Thurs Jun 25 at 7:30PM
Fri Jun 26 at 7:30PM
Sat Jun 27 at 3PM
Sat Jun 27 at 7:00PM
Mon Jun 29 at 7:30PM
Tues Jun 30 at 7:30PM

Apollo Soundstage
Tickets: $18
In person at the Apollo Box Office
Online at Ticketmaster.com
Phone at 800.745.3000

The post E. Lynn Harris’ Invisible Life Is Now A Musical With Brenda Braxton appeared first on Broadway Black.