“So beyond thrilled to be making my Bobbie debut today at @companybway!!!! I’ll be on for both performances! #firstBlackBobbieonBroadway #understudies @broadwayunderstudies” said Daniels via Instagram

CONGRATULATIONS NIKKI!!!

Daniels made sure to clarify that she was not the first Black Bobbie in Company ever. Jennifer Saayeng from the West End cast of Company, of which the current Broadway production hails, went on for the role Pre-Covid shutdown in 2018

Daniels’ current bio from the Company on Broadway website reads:

“Nikki Renée Daniels (Jenny) recently played Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago company of Hamilton. 10 Broadway shows, including The Book of Mormon (Nabulungi), The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Clara), Les Miserables (Fantine), Anything Goes and Promises, Promises. Nikki has performed as a soloist with numerous symphony orchestras across the country, in Canada, and at Carnegie Hall. Her debut solo CD, “Home” is available on iTunes and CDBaby.com.  All my love to Jeff, Lena and Louise. @nikkireneesings”

Daniels’ current bio from the Company on Broadway website

The post Nikki Renee Daniels Becomes Broadway’s First Black Bobbie in <em>Company</em> appeared first on Broadway Black.

The Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3 production Is set to be directed by Obie Award winner Danya Taymor (“Daddy”, Heroes of the Fourth Turning) for a limited engagement, with exact dates and casting to be announced in the coming weeks.

2018 Whiting Foundation Award winner Antoinette Nwandu, New York, New York, March 22, 2018. Photograph © Beowulf Sheehan www.beowulfsheehan.com

Drawing inspiration from Waiting for Godot and the Exodus story, PASS OVER is placed on a city street corner. Moses and Kitch stand around – talking shit, passing the time, and hoping that maybe today will be different. As they dream of their promised land, a stranger wanders into their space and disrupts their plans. Evoking heartbreak, hope, and joy over its 85 minutes, PASS OVER crafts everyday profanities into poetic and humorous riffs, illuminating the unquestionable human spirit of young men looking for a way out.

If you saw the play Off-Broadway, you’ll want to see it again as some things have changed. Playwright and producer Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu said:

“In the summer of 2017, soon after our nation had elected Donald Trump as president, my creative team and I opened a production of Pass Over that shocked the conscience of our audiences. It premiered in Chicago at Steppenwolf and was captured by Spike Lee for Amazon Prime.

In the summer of 2018, wanting to prick the conscience of liberal Americans who remain tentative in their condemnation of violence against Black people, I changed the ending of the play, and my team and I opened Pass Over at LCT3 in New York. That version of the play was then produced throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, London, and South Africa.

And now, as my team and I prepare to produce this play again, I’ve asked myself: when the state-sanctioned murder of Black people in the United States remains visible routine, and the world continues to reckon with the loss, trauma, and alienation caused by the global pandemic, how do I meet this moment?

Though much about Pass Over remains a lament over the lives of Black people stolen too soon, I am happy to confirm that my team and I, along with our producers, are presenting a new version that centers the health, hope, and joy of our audiences, especially Black people. We are re-uniting to envision this play again, to tell a version of the story on Broadway where Moses Kitch both survive their encounter with white oppression.”

To sign up to receive more information on PASS OVER, visit www.passoverbroadway.com 

PASS OVER will be produced on Broadway by Matt Ross, Jujamcyn Theaters, Lincoln Center Theater, Concord Theatricals, Renee Montgomery, Blair Underwood, Madeleine Foster Bersin, and Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu.

“As August Wilson did almost 4 decades ago, Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu is leading us towards the Broadway of our best imagination,” said Jujamcyn Theaters president Jordan Roth. “Her brilliant vision, her unwavering voice, her galvanizing spirit show us the way forward, and all of us at Jujamcyn are so grateful that Antoinette and her exquisite play Pass Over are coming home to the August Wilson Theatre.”

The Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3 (Andre Bishop, Producing Artistic Director/Evan Cabnet, Artistic Director LCT3) New York premiere of PASS OVER opened at the Claire Tow Theater where, where it had an acclaimed, sold-out, and extended run and received the 2019 Lortel Award for Outstanding Play. The world premiere was produced and presented at Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Anna D. Shapiro, Artistic Director and David Schmitz, Managing Director). A filmed version of Taymor’s Jeff Award-winning Steppenwolf production, directed by Spike Lee, premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and at SXSW.

The production reunites the full design team from the Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3 production, with set design by Wilson Chin (Cost of Living, Wild Goose Dreams), costume design by Sarafina Bush (Plot Points in Our Sexual Development, Heroes of the Fourth Turning), lighting design by Marcus Doshi (Linda Vista) and sound design by Obie and Grammy Award winner Justin Ellington (Pipeline, Heroes of the Fourth Turning). Casting is by Daniel Swee.

Jujamcyn Theaters and the producers are deeply committed to the health and safety of our audiences, performers, and staff. Among many enhancements, Jujamcyn has now upgraded all of its auditorium ventilation systems with MERV 13 filters, created a contactless experience for guests at the box office, entering the theatre and in bathrooms, and established rigorous cleaning and sanitation protocols. Based on CDC and New York state guidelines at the time of performance, protocols may include contact tracing survey, vaccination or negative test verification, limitations on belongings in the theatre, proper mask usage, assigned entry times, contactless temperature check, social distancing, and more. Specific health & safety protocols are subject to change but will be clearly communicated to ticket holders in advance of their performance. Ticket holders who do not comply with venue protocols will not be admitted.

The post Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu’s PASS OVER Will Reopen Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre appeared first on Broadway Black.

Entertainment One has announced that they are producing and financing a staged taping of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Perfect for our current climate, the show tells the story of a small town that welcomes a large group of stranded passengers. They all take their differences and put them to the side, embracing each other as they grow to respect and understand one another. 

Stop the world- #ComeFromAway will be filmed live from the Schoenfeld Theatre! Learn more here: https://t.co/rfKeIpuKxS pic.twitter.com/YwDW3DQ4tN

— Come From Away (@wecomefromaway) February 2, 2021

Like the rest of Broadway, the show has been closed since March 2020 with the spread of Covid-19, but they hope to return to their New York house, the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, this May. The live filming will star cast members from the Broadway production and employ over 222 New York theatre industry workers. The company is currently aiming for a September 2021 release. 

The official cast has not been released, but when it is, we will let you know! In the meantime, check out their 2017 Tony Award performance: 

The post ‘Come From Away’, the next Broadway show to hit the screen! appeared first on Broadway Black.

1.Without You – Leslie Odom Jr.  

Now, we BEEN knew about Leslie since Venice (shoutout to the people who remember that gorgeous show.) We also already know this man is not only a phenomenal singer but an actor as well. I believe the Tony chilling at the crib answered that for anyone unsure. However, his solo work and concerts have shown where his true artistry lies. Rent is one of my favorite musicals of all time, as it is for many people, yet one song I never liked, is this one. I never understood it’s full weight until this cover. Leslie’s ability to take a song, digest it, and embody it is downright despicable. The man has so much control over his instrument. He manipulates his tone and air continuously to create the exact sound he wants, like a violinist adjusting their pressure or speed. I am in awe of his skill every time I watch a performance of his. 

2.I Won’t Complain – Amber Iman ft Cynthia Erivo 

You can find the gifted voices by looking at who other powerhouses love. This is a prime example of that. Cynthia Erivo brought out Amber Iman to sing I Won’t Complain for a performance back in 2016 and my GOD. The balance between the sultry, fresh jazz improv mixed with the top tier vocal training puts Amber in a league of her own. And that range!! I am always much more impressed with those deeper, rich low notes than the whistle tones. Both are impressive, but the people don’t respect the skill that those low notes take. Also, musicality. You cannot riff and run if you do not know where to run to. Let that sink in. You need to know how chords and scales work to figure out how to make all of the movement make SENSE. I’ll get off my soapbox and move on. EVEN THE MUSICIANS BEHIND HER WERE SHAKING THEIR HEADS IN DISBELIEF!

3. Take It Slow – Joshua Henry and Ciara Renée 

I love a quality duet and this is as quality as it comes. Now both of these performers are TRAINED and I do mean TRAINED. The evidence is in the blend and the placement. Crystal clear all around. The R&B style song truly shows a side of both of these artists that we don’t get from them on the Great “White” Way. However, their impeccable intonation isn’t even my favorite part of this piece. It’s chemistry. The storytelling is something to behold. Look at them still possess beats and an arc even in a stand-alone performance. I don’t know anything about this plot and yet I got a full story. This article is about vocals, but vocals mean nothing in this industry if you don’t have some acting skills to back it up. Period. 

4. She Used To Be Mine – Tiffany Mann

This song has a lot of covers that HIT, ok? However, this flips the song on its head. Tiffany Mann has always had the kind of voice that makes you have to get up and run a lap. Tiffany was actually in this show, and her knowledge of the text is incredibly evident. The gospel arrangement elevates the piece and the lines pack a punch I have never felt with this piece. Now, of course, there is soul all over this piece, but do you hear the placement? The dynamics? The range? I do! The end of the piece is taken up by SEVERAL steps and she is full voicing without strain. You cannot do that without training. Impossible. Being a true musician, she moves with the accompaniment and truly makes this a whole performance, not just someone doing a cover. We stan Ms. Tiffany Mann. 

5. Defying Gravity – Mykal Kilgore

If you need a mental reset. If you feel lost. Play this one. Play it in the house, in the car, in the gym. His range is a rubber band, stretching to wherever he sees fit. It feels like there is almost nothing his voice cannot do. He can give you soul, he can give you standard MT. He can give you a straight tone, and he can give you riffs and runs. He is unlimited, but just like the others, the vocal is not the only thing to gain from this piece. What starts as a gorgeous, vibrant cover turns into the inspirational speech you’ve been waiting for. Mykal’s attention to detail when it comes to music is mystifying. If you haven’t listened to his album, A Man Born Black, go now. This man cannot be torn down. His light, his skill, his vision, it’s unbreakable. His music makes me feel the same. 

The post 5 Times Our Broadway Black Faves Gave Us a Vocal Masterclass appeared first on Broadway Black.

Photo: John Russo

Omoba Aina was an Egbado princess of the Yoruba people that became orphaned after a war with a nearby kingdom. After being liberated from the slavery of her captors she met Queen Victoria. The queen then raised the young princess as her goddaughter.

Benedict Cumberbatch (“Sherlock”, “Doctor Strange”) will be joining Erivo in Producing this film and the untitled production will tell a story that not too many people are familiar with and give us a deep look into the story of a real Black princess. Cynthia has had her share of executing roles of monumental black figures, most notable being the role of Harriet Tubman. Along with getting that role came some issues that called out her alleged lack of compassion and understanding of the history and oppression of Black Americans. So her taking on yet another role of a historic black woman, that struggled with her own form of oppression is something that would understandably catch a side eye. However, I’m open to see Ms. Erivo grace us with her talent and beautiful execution that she brings to every role she plays. Interestingly enough, she does share more similarities with Omoba than she did with Harriet Tubman and I am excited to have a true story told about an educated Black princess and her journey as young royalty.

The post Cynthia Erivo to produce and star in film about the African Princess, Omoba Aina (Sarah Forbes Bonetta) appeared first on Broadway Black.

The song premiered during Stacy Abrams’ “Rock the Runoff” virtual concert. The proceeds will help to raise funds and awareness for every eligible Georgian to have the resources and information needed to go and vote. Stage and screen stars from all over the country contributed their vocal talents, from the safety of their homes for the video. With awesome performers like Idina Menzel, Blair Underwood, Renee Elise Goldberry, Vanessa Williams, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Danielle Brooks, Lin-Manuel Miranda rounding out this amazing group of voices you are sure to be blown away by this song and surely motivated to GO VOTE! 

Are you a GA citizen? Are you registered to vote? If you aren’t sure or would like to start the process so that you can be at the polls on January 5th, click HERE! For those who aren’t Georgia citizens but still want to Help Win Georgia, click HERE

The post  Broadway Stars Serenade Voters to the Georgia Polls  appeared first on Broadway Black.

In an attempt to help offset some of the medical and living expenses, a GoFundMe was created to share with the Broadway community. Ernie loves his job and Broadway, it’s our job to make sure Broadway loves him right back.

Please donate and/or share with your communities. Let’s take care of each other. 

(At this time they have already reached their goal, but we know that in this pandemic, the more support the better.)

The post Lifted Up: Community rallies to support Ernest Frost Paylor appeared first on Broadway Black.

This event is a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. NBCUniversal will also be making its own donation to the cause. During this time of uncertainty and strife it’s important to know and see that things will be fine in the end because we have each other. Putting these actors back on a national stage after such a long time away is a reminder that even though the country has been on a long term pause, there are plenty of things to be grateful for. Grab your hot chocolate and cookies and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 8/7c at 8 PM EST to witness some of Broadway’s amazing talent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pUha1OJQOc

The post One Night Only: The Best of Broadway Comes to NBC Hosted by Tina Fey 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.

I just need to know if ‘Whorl’ will reach Broadway.

Maybe Club Nouveau’s classic song didn’t bubble up in your brain this week, but the collective energy of this rumor was almost palpable.

Is the smash off-Broadway play Whorl Inside a Loop transitioning to the Great White Way?

Well…it depends who you ask, and when.

It started December 7th with Michael Musto reporting in Out.com that he ran into Whorl’s star and co-writer  Sherie Rene Scott and Michael Mayer who directed said show. Scott, according to Musto’s piece, said that not only was the show moving to Broadway, but “it’s moving with a star.” Those are her words, and his ink.

Great! Where do we buy tickets?

Not so fast.

Then later the same day later Scott was quoted as saying that Broadway, and the possibility of a star, were options considered for where the show might go next.

Okay, now I am confused.

That is the gossip. Here are the facts, as we understand them.

Whorl Inside A Loop is a story about an actress who teaches six felons how to tell their stories, at least according to Scott and the show’s website. It has received rave reviews from the “New York Times” and “The Huffington Post.” It premiered at the Second Stage Theater this summer where they even extended the run of the show. We were there on opening night.

It was co-written by Scott and Dick Scanlan and also starred Donald Webber Jr. Nicholas Christopher, Chris Myers, Ryan Quinn, Derrick Baskin and Daniel J Watts.

No word has come down as to whether the show will indeed get a Broadway run. But who knows? If the rumors keep circulating, someone might pick it up. Critics and audiences agree it deserves a chance. Until then, I guess we gotta keep spreading the gossip until one of them sticks to Broadway.

Stay tuned.

The post Fact, Fiction, or Just a Whorl? appeared first on Broadway Black.