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.

President and CEO of the Critics Choice Association, Joey Berlin said, “In a year when the need for entertainment was undeniable, the industry…delighted us, educated us, challenged us, and most importantly, brought us all together.” 

This year’s nominees include a Broadway Black roster of Tony winners and nominees.

Courtesy of HBO

Cynthia Erivo is nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role on the HBO series “The Outsider.” Erivo is a Tony- and Grammy-winning actress for her role as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. 

CREDIT: SERGEI BACHLAKOV/NBC

NBC’s newest comedy, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” stars Broadway and “Glee” powerhouse, Alex Newell. Newell starred as Asaka, Mother of the Earth, in the Tony-winning revival of Once on This Island. He is currently nominated as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Image credit: Fargo

Comedian Chris Rock is stretching his dramatic talents in the FX drama “Fargo.” Nominated for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television, his stage credits include the Tony-nominated The Motherf**ker with the Hat. 

Courtesy of FX

Stage and screen star Uzo Aduba is now nominated for role as Civil Rights icon Shirley Chisolm in the FX series “Mrs. America.” An award-winning television star already for “Orange is the New Black,” she is no stranger to the theatre playing in shows such as Godspell and The Wiz Live!

Image credit: Fargo

Glynn Turman, recently off the release and debut of the Netflix adaptation August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Televsion for “Fargo.”

Photo Credit: William Gray/SHOWTIME.

Tony-winning Hamilton: An American Musical star, Daveed Diggs, has been flexing his dramatic muscles since departing the original Broadway cast of Hamilton. He is nominated this year for Showtime’s “The Good Lord Bird” as Best Supporting Actor for a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for his role as abolitionist Frederick Douglass. 

*The Critics Choice Awards will be hosted by Broadway vet, Taye Diggs (Rent, Chicago, and The Wild Party) and air on The CW Sunday, March 7, 2021.

The post Critics Choice Awards Recognizes Broadway Talent appeared first on Broadway Black.

For Broadway to reopen and for COVID to go away… and by go away, we are talking evaporate.

Bringing back the arts will provide a financial boost for artists and an uplift to the spirit of New York. The creativity of the performing and visual arts are vital to the soul.

— Bethani Wright (@WrightBethani) January 12, 2021

Don’t write. Don’t call. Don’t even tell us the time has come. Just go.

Yes, “evaporating COVID” is just a pipedream, but hopefully, in 2021, we can have Broadway back.

New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has announced a plan to revitalize the arts during his 2021 State of the State Address. “New York State will launch a public-private partnership that will organize “pop-up” performances and arts events across the state beginning in February.”

JFK once said: “I see little of more importance to the future of our country & our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.”

In NYS we will bring the arts back to life through a new initiative: New York Arts Revival.#SOTS2021 pic.twitter.com/0Ja1YrgSE6

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 12, 2021

The Governor mentioned Chris Rock, Wynton Marsalis, The National Black Theatre, and Ars Nova among the list of artists and arts

Chris Rock in the production of The Motherf***er with the Hat. Photo Credit Joan Marcus 2011

organizations scheduled to participate.

Chris Rock made his Broadway debut in 2011 in the original Broadway production of The Motherf**ker With the Hat and was recently nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television.

Wynton Marsalis is a 9-time Grammy Award Winner and was a producer for After Midnight on Broadway in 2013.

The Governor also announced, “The State will partner with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to launch a Creatives Rebuild initiative,” which will, “put back to work 1,000 artists who have been impacted by the crisis.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wynton Marsalis (@wyntonmarsalis)

It is worth mentioning, on October 9th 2020, The Broadway League released a statement announcing the continued suspension of all ticket sales for Broadway performances in NYC through May 30, 2021.

However, it feels like everyone is aligned and we are one step closer to bringing the lights back up on Broadway… or maybe not. What do you think?

You can read a complete list of the details on the official website.

The post Brand New Day: New York Governor Announces Plan To Revitalize The Arts appeared first on Broadway Black.