Say what?! 

That’s right, this year, creator and producer Marq Moss of Glitterati Entertainment Group and actor in Motown The Musical has decided to combine four of the HOTTEST shows on Broadway into one joyful celebration. The ‘Grinch’-inspired party replaces “Whoville” with “Broadville” and will feature Moss, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, a co-producer of the event and an actor from Motown the Musical, Patrice Covington from The Color Purple, Marja Harmon from The Book of Mormon, Christian Dante White from Shuffle Along and Jelani Remy from The Lion King as hosts. Glitterati’s How The Purple Mormon Stole The Shuffled Lion is sure to be a spectacular event! Understand the party title now?

This party also has a purpose and the goal is simple:

In an effort to always stay connected with the community, which has given so much to all of us, PMSL will serve as a much-needed opportunity to be altruistic.  As we all know, so many are affected by the blistering winters of NYC.  Some are homeless.  Some are just dealing with the, often harsh, realities that come with residing in one of the most expensive cities in the US.  While it’s sometimes easy to forget the less fortunate, the truth of the matter is, it could be any one of us.  As such, we are encouraging guests to donate a warm, useable item of clothing at the door.

The group suggests bringing items like hats, gloves, scarves and coats. Music for the event will be provided by DJ Taela Naomi and the dress code is your own unique blend of fresh and fly! The party will be held on December 14 at Angel of Harlem, “one of New York’s newest and trendiest establishments.” For more details on how you can attend Glitterati’s How The Purple Mormon Stole The Shuffled Lion  photo-op laden, festive, party with a purpose… check out the website here!

The post Get Your Holiday Purple Mormon Shuffled Lion On! appeared first on Broadway Black.

The six-time Tony winner will be absent from the production for three months starting Tuesday, June 21, 2016 through Sunday, September 25. It’s been announced that her absence is to fulfill a prior commitment. However, there have been no details released on what that commitment is or who will fulfill the role in her absence. McDonald is scheduled to return to the show on September 27.

Shuffle Along will present the landmark 1921 African-American musical revue Shuffle Along alongside the behind-the-scenes details that led the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this groundbreaking work. In what has been billed as a revival, McDonald will take on the role of “Lottie Gee” and Brian Stokes Mitchell will appear in the the role of “F.E. Miller.” Porter takes on the role of “Aubrey Lyles,” with Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry as “Blake” and “Sissle.”

Other cast members include Adrienne Warren from Bring It On: The Musical, Darius de Haas (Rent, Kiss of the Spider Woman), Felicia Boswell (Motown: The Musical, Memphis), and Christian Dante White, c0-creator of Broadway Legacy.

George C. Wolfe will write the book and direct and Savion Glover will choreograph the highly anticipated production. As previously announced, the rest of the creative team includes Orchestrator Daryl Waters (musical supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations), Santo Loquasto (scenic design), Ann Roth (costume design), Scott Lehrer (sound design), Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting design), and Shelton Becton (musical director).

In 2014, the extraordinarily talented McDonald made Broadway history with a record-setting sixth Tony Award, for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. She also has the distinction of being the first person to receive awards in all four actress acting categories. She has also won Tonys for Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, and Porgy and Bess.

Shuffle Along begins previews at the Music Box Theatre on March 14, 2016. For more information on tickets, click HERE.

The post Audra McDonald to Take Shuffle Along Hiatus appeared first on Broadway Black.

Nikki Renee Daniels

Her Broadway credits include The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess “Clara,” Les Miserables “Fantine,” Anything Goes, Promises, Promises, Nine, Lestat, Little Shop of Horrors, The Look of Love and Aida.  Her TV/Film credits include “Chappelle’s Show,” “The Sound of Music Live!” and The Other Woman. Danniels has performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras across the country, in Canada and at Carnegie Hall. Her debut solo CD, “Home,” was released in 2012. Daniels has said her legacy inspirations are Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Ruby Dee, Audra McDonald, LaChanze, and Phylicia Rashad. Currently, she is appearing on Broadway as “Nabulungi” in The Book of Mormon.

broadway_legacy's photo https://t.co/EM9Xk44js3 love this photo by Brent Dundore for @BroadwayLegacy! @dantechristian

— Nikki Renee Daniels (@nikkireneesings) August 19, 2015

Amber Iman

Making her Broadway debut as the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone, in “Soul Doctor,” Amber Iman earned rave reviews and a nomination for the prestigious Clive Barnes Award.

Amber Iman graduated magna cum laude, with a BFA in Musical Theatre, from Howard University. After graduation, she returned to Atlanta, where her performances included “Woman #1” in The Colored Museum, “Lady in Orange” in For Colored Girls…., and “Erzulie” in Once on this Island. She was nominated for an IRNE for Best Supporting Actress as “Cheryl” in Stick Fly (Arena Stage/Huntington Theatre).  Off-Broadway, she played “Mrs. Jefferson/Seasons of Love Soloist” in RENT (New World Stages), and “Hannah” in A Civil War Christmas (NY Theatre Workshop). Most recently she appeared in the role of  “Aldonza” in Man of la Mancha at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Iman credits her legacy inspirations as Ella Fitzgerald, Bernardine Mitchell, Dinah Washington, India Arie, Audra McDonald, Viola Davis, and her mother Margo Moorer.

Find out more about the Broadway Legacy Series here. 

The post Broadway Legacy: Nikki Renee Daniels & Amber Iman Dazzle! appeared first on Broadway Black.

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.

BRANDON VICTOR DIXON

© Brent Dundore Photography – All Rights Reserved.

CAPATHIA JENKINS

© Brent Dundore Photography – All Rights Reserved.

CAPATHIA JENKINS

This Brooklyn-born and raised actress most recently starred as ‘Medda’ in the hit Disney production of Newsies’ on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in The Civil War, where she created the role of Harriet Jackson. She then starred in the Off-Broadway 2000 revival of Godspell, where she wowed audiences with her stirring rendition of ‘Turn Back, O Man’ which can still be heard on the original cast recording. She returned to Broadway in The Look of Love and was critically acclaimed for her performances of the Bacharach/David hits. Ms. Jenkins then created the roles of ‘The Washing Machine’ in Caroline, Or Change and ‘Frieda May’ in Martin Short-Fame becomes me where she sang ‘Stop the Show’ and brought the house down every night. Her Television credits include 30 Rock, the Practice, Law & Order SVU, the Sopranos, Law & Order. She can be seen in the 2012 film ‘Musical Chairs’ directed by Susan Seidelman. She can be heard on the following film soundtracks: Nine, Chicago, Legally Blonde 2.

www.capathiajenkins.com

Find out more about the new editions to Broadway Legacy 2.0 & see more photos on BroadwayLegacy.com

The post Brandon Victor Dixon & Capathia Jenkins Shine In Broadway Legacy appeared first on Broadway Black.

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.

01.01 We go behind the scenes of the Broadway Legacy 2.0 photoshoot with Broadway Legacy creator & director Christian Dante White.

Please visit Broadwaylegacy.com & BrentDundore.com for more

Adriane Lenox (After Midnight, Doubt)

LaChanze (If/Then, The Color Purple)

Amber Iman (Soul Doctor), Marisha Wallace (Something Rotten),

Chondra Profit,(The Lion King),

Marva Hicks (Motown: The Musical, Caroline, Or Change)

Patrice Covington (Motown: The Musical National Tour),

Krystal Joy Brown(Motown: The Musical, Big Fish)

Kimberly Marable (Sister Act, The Lion King)

Candice Marie Woods (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Catch Me If You Can),

Crystal Joy (Motown: The Musical)

Aisha De Haas (Caroline, Or Change, One Mo’ TIme)

Capthia Jenkins (Newsies: The Musical, Caroline, Or Change),

Nikki Renee Daniels (Book Of Mormon, Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess)

Krisha Marcano (Motown: The Musical, The Color Purple)

Maia Nkenge Wilson (The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple)

Jesse Nager (Motown: The Musical, Mary Poppins)

Brandon Victor Dixon (Motown: The Musical, The Color Purple)

Clifton Davis (Aladdin, Two Gentlemen of Verona)

Michael McElroy (Next To Normal, Rent, Big River)

Maurice Murphy (Motown: The Musical, Leap Of Faith)

 Grasan Kingsberry (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Leap Of Faith)

The post [WATCH] Off Book: Broadway Legacy with Christian Dante White 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.