If you’ve never seen Sister Act, I’ll catch you up. The story follows Deloris Van Carter and her acclimation to a culture completely opposite to that of her own. After wintessing her boyfriend commit a murder, the police send Deloris into witness protection. What better place for an aspiring disco personality to live incognito than a convent? Deloris brings heart and soul to the choir and discovers home in a sisterhood she would have never thought possible.

Based on the 1992 hit of the same name, staring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act has translated well to the stage and was nominated for five Tony’s. The show features original music by Tony and 8-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Aladdin) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (School of Rock, Leap of Faith, Love Never Dies, Tangled). The original musical starred Patina Miller who later went on to win big as Best Actress in a Musical for Pippin at the 2013 Tony Awards.

Sister Act will be directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. Aside from Bayerdale, the cast includes: Ellen Harvey (Mother Superior), Avionce (TJ), Brent Bateman (Joey), Kyle Robert Carter (Eddie Souther), Jennie Joefree (Sister Mary Patrick), Tina Johnson (Sister Mary Lazarus), Nikko Kimzin (Pablo), Jonathan Kirkland (Curtis Jackson), Richard Pruitt (Monsignor O’Hara), and Lael Van Keuren (Sister Mary Robert)

For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org

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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.

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We have been long time fans of Kilgore here at Broadway Black. He was the very first voice we ever highlighted here. So what we’re sharing with you today is really special. Mykal took the time and used his God-given, heavenly angel, send us to the cross, golden vocal chords to sing us a very special rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked and we PROMISE you’ve never heard it like this. Get your offering ready NOW to donate to his #KickstartKilgore campaign.

Now, you want to know how to donate right? Check it out below!

According to Kilgore’s Kickstarter page,

This project is bringing out all of the lessons I’ve learned from years of YouTubing Patti Labelle, Donny Hathaway, and James Taylor. I represent classic roots music with a modern feel. Lyrically, I’m going to go deep and sing about love, politics, God, thoughts, family… all of it is in there.

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.

#KickstartKilgore and @broadwayblack have a special treat for you guys coming in less than an hour!!!! Stay tuned!!! Broadwayblack.com #9daysleft #supportrealmusic #donate

A photo posted by Mykal (@mykalwitha_y) on Sep 21, 2015 at 5:41am PDT

Having watched his career from his first solo show, “The New Guy,” at the Triad straight through to his sold out “MYKAL@54,” I’m beyond certain that we are going to be amazed by the finished work. His project stays live until the end of September. With so much talent and flair, Mykal Kilgore’s debut album is sure to be a success. To find out more about this dynamic powerhouse, visit his website www.MykalKilgore.com.

The post Exclusive: Mykal Kilgore Defies Gravity For #KickstartKilgore Campaign appeared first on Broadway Black.

With a total of 11 top ten U.S. hits on the Billboard charts over the past 40 years, both singles and albums, Melba Moore sits with the host of Broadway Black Box, Andrew Shade, to discuss how she’s been able to withstand the changes in the industry and what it takes to have a career span decades.

From theatre to music Melba Moore is a force to be reckoned with and she gives us an inside look on how its all done. You might find yourself more than surprised by her journey. She’s done way more than sing with Beyonce in Fighting Tempations. So, make sure you get your tickets for her upcoming concert. April 13th 9:30pm at The Metropolitan Room. Be There! Find out more HERE!

In 1970, Moore was cast as “Lutiebelle” Gussie Mae Jenkins,” opposite Cleavon Little, in the musical Purlie. Originally she was assigned only the title song, but she had such success with it in previews that songwriters Gary Geld and Peter Udell gave her another, “I Got Love.” This song was such a smash hit that it shot Melba to stardom. Not only did it supply the title to her debut album, which earned her a 1971 Grammy nomination as Best New Artist, but it boosted her to the 1970 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, a 1970 Theatre World Award, and a 1970 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance.

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