LaChanze! made her Broadway debut as part of the ensemble in Uptown…It’s Hot! in 1986. She’s also appeared in the musical Once on This Island in 1990 in which she played the role of “Ti Moune.” She received nominations for the Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical and Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Musical. Her other Broadway credits include the 1987 revival of Dreamgirls, Ragtime, and 2014’s If/Then.

As part of her feature on Broadway Legacy, LaChanze also lists her inspirations, “Cicely Tyson for her vulnerability. Alfre Woodard for her honesty. Lola Falana for her confidence. Diana Ross for her business savvy.”

Every other week, Broadway Legacy focuses on a different individual’s accomplishments and inspirations. The series features Broadway veterans such as Chuck Cooper who won a Tony for The Life, Tony nominee Charl Brown, Derrick Baskin, best known for his role of “Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney” in the popular Broadway show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Ben Harney, who won the 1982 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as “Curtis Taylor, Jr.” Dreamgirls.

White, who made his Broadway debut in the original production of The Scottsboro Boys created Broadway Legacy to feature men who not only are fiercely talented but also inspiring to each other and others. His goal was to not only show appreciation for their remarkable contributions to entertainment but for these men to be recognized in a high fashion setting and to be presented by an outlet that reaches masses so they can be enlightened and educated. White recently added Broadway Legacy 2.0 and LaChanze! is the first woman to be featured in the section.

Check out all the photos and more info on BroadwayLegacy.com

© Brent Dundore Photography – All Rights Reserved.

The post LaChanze Sizzles in Broadway Legacy appeared first on Broadway Black.

This was the first look into that project that made us intrigued and full of anticipation.

LAUNCHING SOON pic.twitter.com/2NRCvTztdi

— Broadway Legacy (@BroadwayLegacy) March 25, 2015

Well, the launch has happened and it was first reported by BroadwayWorld.com. The project, fittingly entitled, Broadway Legacy is described below:

BROADWAY LEGACY is a photographic and editorial exhibition that boldly celebrates African American achievement in the Broadway industry. The beautiful showcase of talented black men was directed by one of the same, Broadway actor Christian Dante White. The exhibition’s stunning portraits features Chuck Cooper, Darius de Haas, Charl Brown, Kyle Taylor Parker and more!

White’s aspiration was to feature men who not only are fiercely talented but also inspiring to each other and others. These are men who give life and love on and off the stage. His goal was to not only show appreciation for their remarkable contributions to entertainment but for these men to be recognized in a high fashion setting and to be presented by an outlet that reaches masses so they can be enlightened and educated.

In collaboration with celebrity photographer Brent Dundore, the pair came up with the concept and aesthetics to bring life to the essence of each man presented. Tony Award winners and nominees, Broadway veterans and gypsies, and the fresh, raw, and future legends are all a part of this project. This still but moving presentation in itself is a legacy. The creators invite you to learn, fall in love, and be inspired by a few good men in BROADWAY LEGACY.

In this amazing exhibition you’ll see what inspiration looks like in a timeless and classic manner. The crisp and clean presentation of Broadway Legacy is what Black Broadway and Broadway as a whole has been missing and longing for. Take a look at a few photos but make sure to check out the website www.BroadwayLegacy.com to get the full experience and find out more on why each person highlighted deserves their spot in the legacy chair. Web design was powered by LaCrafts Creations, owned and run by Elijah Ahmad Lewis, currently playing Stevie Wonder in Motown: The Musical 1st national tour.

Congrats to the entire team and all that made Broadway Legacy possible. This really makes our hearts happy. Look out! There is surely more to come and we can’t wait to see it. We have a feeling a Broadway Legacy of Women will be up next!

The post Broadway Legacy Turns Broadway World Upside Down appeared first on Broadway Black.