BB: So is this a good transition for you into the theatre community?

AR: Yes. (laughs) I already knew you were gonna ask me that. 

BB: Is there an ideal role that you have?

AR: Yes there is and I can’t talk about it yet. 

BB: For another time?

AR: (Still laughing) Yes for another time. 

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Talent from way back! It’s always a pleasure to take a look at our Broadway Black stars BEFORE we knew they were going to be legends. But, before we say goodbye here is just one more throw back of White singing in  The Life as ‘Sonja’, a role which landed her Broadway’s coveted Prestigious Quadruple Crown; a People’s Choice Award, the Outer Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical!

https://youtu.be/fDkko-fgfHU

We hope you enjoyed our throwback of Lillias White. She is surely Broadway Black Royalty!

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“Christmas With Nova Y. Payton and Friends,” which opened December 8, is filled with some of Payton’s holiday favorites, including “This Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Santa Baby,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and many more. Music director Darius Smith, along with a chorus and band, join Payton during the evening.

Payton is known for her powerhouse voice. For years, she sang backup for legendary songstress Roberta Flack, joining Flack’s international tour to over 150 major cities across the U.S, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. She also has toured with shows such as the blues-to-classical showcase Three Mo’ Divas with Laurice Lanier and Jamet Pittman as well as Smokey Joe’s Café, the juke joint-set musical revue of the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

Payton made her Signature Theatre debut as “Motormouth Maybelle” in Hairspray for which she won a 2012 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical. She also received the 2005 Barrymore Nomination for Best Actress for her role as “Effie White” in Dreamgirls at Prince Music Theatre. Payton recently reprised her role in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater production of the musical. The DC native also has appeared in regional productions of The Happy Elf, and Ain’t Misbehavin’.

Payton’s musical chops are clearly genetic as her mother is singer Thomascena Nelson, widely considered to be the “First Lady of Gospel Jazz.” According to Payton’s biography, it was Nelson who exposed Payton to “all things creative and artistic.”

Payton’s cabaret runs through December 24 and tickets can be purchased here.

Nova Y. Payton singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

The post Christmas with Nova Y. Payton & Friends At Signature Theatre appeared first on Broadway Black.

Dorothy, The Wiz

Are you looking for a classic costume that’s easily identified and even easier to put together? Look no further than “Dorothy”! All you need is a light blue gingham dress with a silk ribbon at the waist, or a white blouse and light blue skirt, white tights or lacy socks and of course you MUST rock the sparkly shoes. To finish the look, style your hair into two ponytails and you are ready to travel the yellow brick road!

Rafiki, The Lion King

Are you the creative type with time on your hands? Well consider “Rafiki” from The Lion King. This character is full of color and the costume opens up a world of possibilities for the open minded costumer. Face paint in bright colors and an assembly of colorfully beaded necklaces and bracelets, rattan rope, burlap and fur embellishments should get you well on your way to bringing this dynamic character to life.

Hedwig, Hedwig and The Angry Inch

If fabulous is your destination and you’ve got the confidence of a rockstar, then what better inspiration than rocker “Hedwig”? Platform shoes, BIG blonde hair, distressed denim with your own graffiti are necessary to pull of this costume. The essential ingredient is a ton of super glittery and flamboyant makeup and voila! You are ready to rock any Halloween party.

Marvin Gaye, Motown The Musical

Let everyone know exactly “What’s Going On” when you arrive at the Halloween party. Channeling the soulfulness of “Marvin Gaye” is a breeze with just a few simple items. A red toboggan or a simple crocheted kufi,  a plainly colored tee shirt layered with a denim shirt and denim jeans should do the trick. Top it off with a beard and you will be ready to croon or maybe lip sync the night away.

Dreamgirls

There’s only one thing that more fun than dressing up for Halloween and that’s pulling off an ensemble set of costumes. A perfect play for the ensemble outfit for you and few of your diva friends, the fellas or a mixed group of Halloween revelers. Ladies, whip out those once used bridesmaid dresses from the back of your closets and fellas hit your local thrift store for wide collars, swinging bell bottoms or an extra shiny and tight suit. Ladies, tease your hair into a sleek updo or a big bouffant and gentlemen pick out your hair or make a quick stop at the beauty supply for a short conked out wig and your ensemble is ready to go.

Motormouth Maybelle, Hairspray

Are you looking to make an impact as soon as you step on the scene? If so, “Motormouth Maybelle” is the character for you. The easiest way to pull off this costume is to start with a gold or satin dress. Purchase a couple of red feather boa’s and attach them to the hem and sleeves. Finish off this sassy look with a blonde wig with curls as tall and plentiful as you can make them and you are ready to liven up any party.

We hope you enjoy these costumes inspired by our Black Broadway stars. Tweet us a picture of what you decided to wear @broadwayblack!

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The dynamic cast includes Nova Y. Payton, (Dreamgirls Signature Theatre; Hairspray Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award) as Effie, Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors; 2013 Broadway World Chicago Best Actress, Black Excellence Award, Black Theatre Alliance Award for “Celie” in The Color Purple at Mercury Theater Chicago) as Deena; and Dan’yelle Williamson (Broadway: Memphis; National Tour: The Lion King) as Lorrell– collectively known as “The Dreamettes.” Rounding out the cast is Jared Joseph (Broadway: Holler if Ya Hear Me) as Curtis Taylor Jr.; Richard Crandle (National Tour: Hairspray) as CC White and Cedric Neal (Broadway: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess) as James “Thunder” Early, a role that won him the Helen Hayes Award in Washington, D.C. for the Signature Theatre production; and Nathaniel Stampley (Broadway: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, The Lion King; The Color Purple at Milwaukee Rep) as Marty.

Dreamgirls runs in the Quadracci Powerhouse until November 1, previews began on Sept 22 with an opening on September 26. Tickets starting at $30 can be purchased online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by phone at 414-224-9490, or at the Ticket Office (108 E Wells Street).

If you are in the Milwaukee area, I’d advise you to see this show as fast as you can. It’s one you just do not want to miss. Don’t believe me? Just watch this clip of Nova Y. Payton singing “And I Am Telling You” and see if you don’t change your mind.

The post Dreamgirls Rocks Milwaukee Repertory Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

Sonia Friedman Productions has acquired the rights to a full West End production of the musical and it is rumored that Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin) will direct. The musical’s planning is still in the early stages and no venue has been mentioned, but it’s believed that it will go to London towards the end of 2016 or beginning of 2017. A London premiere in 2016, would mark the 35^th Anniversary of the musical.

Casting also hasn’t been announced, but open singer auditions were held in May for “black and mixed race performers with strong soul/pop voices for the lead roles of Effie White, Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, Curtis Taylor Jr., Jimmy Early and C.C. White.”

The musical, which features music by Henry Krieger and a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, tells the story of a singing trio of black divas, “The Dreams,” and their rise to stardom in the 60’s. The trio is eventually torn apart by another predictable trio of fame, fortune, and men. The original Broadway production opened on December 20, 1981 and closed on August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The cast starred Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones,” Jennifer Holliday as “Effie White,” Loretta Devine as “Lorrell Robinson,” Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor, Jr.,” Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early,” and Obba Babatundé as “C. C. White.”

In addition to Beyoncé as “Deena” and Hudson as “Effie,” the 2006 hit movie had plenty of star power with Jamie Fox as “Curtis,” Eddie Murphy as “Jimmie,” Anika Noni Rose as “Lorrell,” and Danny Glover as “Marty.” Original Dreamgirl, Loretta Devine also made a cameo appearance as a jazz singer.

Sonia Friedman Productions is a West End and Broadway production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and on Broadway over the past few years. Since 1990, the company has developed, initiated, and produced over 135 new productions, including Much Ado About Nothing, Jerusalem, The Book of Mormon, Legally Blonde the Musical, Betrayal, Arcadia, The Mountaintop, The Children’s Hour and All My Sons.

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The all-star line-up features Faith Evans , Angela Winbush, Meli’sa Morgan , Monifah , Candace Benson, runner-up on season 7 of BET Sunday Best and Urban Guerilla Orchestra. Perhaps best known as the original “Deena Jones” in Dreamgirls on Broadway, Ms. Ralph earned a Tony nomination and won a Drama Desk award for her star-making effort. In 1990, the actor turned activist and chartered the 501c3 Driving Infectious Viruses Away or DIVA Foundation.

The actress, producer and singer, turned best-selling author with her 2012 book, Redefining Diva, which took on a additional meaning as DIVA has become known as Divinely Inspired Victoriously Anointed. The foundation appears to evolve in the same dynamic way its founder can reinvent herself.

Reinvention is one of several talents that come easy for a woman of equal parts style and substance. Ms. Ralph graduated college while still in her teens and has earned a doctorate in connection with the work she’s done in honor of those she has lost to AIDS. Divas Simply Singing, the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the nation, will feature HIV screenings and testimonies from those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Ralph also performs the one-woman play she wrote and directed, Sometimes I Cry, to tell the story of women impacted by the virus and disease. Ralph is the AIDS Ambassador for Jamaica and the recipient of the United Nations first-ever Red Ribbon award which recognized her unique utilization of the arts as part of her AIDS activism. Tickets for Divas Simply Singing on Saturday, August 22 at the Dell Music Center at 7pm can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

On May 25, Broadway Black met with Sheryl Lee Ralph backstage at Washington DC’s Howard Theatre before the one night only performance of Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, that is being presented in collaboration with Ms. Ralph and her D.I.V.A. Foundation.

The post Sheryl Lee Ralph Keeps Giving Back! 25th Annual Divas Simply Singing Benefit Concert appeared first on Broadway Black.

Black theatre. A space of inspired creativity, performance art and social commentary on the lives of everyday people. As the curtains open and our stories unfold, we are transported to a place where our dreams and realities intermingle with song, dance and powerful dialogue. When the curtains close and the theatre goes dark, we are left with emotions, memories, images and often quotes that reflect the highs and lows of African American existence.

Let’s take a moment and revisit, in no particular order, ten inspirational quotes from some of our favorite pieces.

1. On loving one another:

“There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing.” – Loraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

2. Beginning a journey into the unknown:

“Count your blessings, cut your losses and follow the yellow brick road.” –The Wiz

3. Because sometimes your dreams are right there in front of you:

“Ev’ry man has his own special dream. And your dream’s just about to come true. Life’s not as bad as it may seem, if you open your eyes to what’s in front of you!” –Dreamgirls

4. On choices:

“When the sins of our fathers visit us, we do not have to play host. We can banish them with forgiveness as God, in His Largeness and Laws.” ― August Wilson, Fences

5. On our own divinity:

“I am an expression of the divine, just like a peach is, just like a fish is. I have a right to be this way…I can’t apologize for that, nor can I change it, nor do I want to… We will never have to be other than who we are in order to be successful…We realize that we are as ourselves unlimited and our experiences valid. It is for the rest of the world to recognize this, if they choose.” – Alice Walker, The Color Purple

6. On relaxing and enjoying the moment:

“Summertime, and the living is easy.” –Porgy and Bess

7. On learning to love yourself:

“I found god in myself and I loved her. I loved her fiercely” –Ntozake Shange, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf

8. On personal empowerment and survival:

“I’m poor, black; I may even be ugly. But dear God! I’m here! I’m here! –Alice Walker, The Color Purple

9. On getting yourself together to fulfill your potential:

“Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than you have become; take your place in the circle of life.” –The Lion King

10. On being okay with starting over:

“I ain’t never found no place for me to fit. Seem like all I do is start over. It ain’t nothing to find no starting place in the world. You just start from where you find yourself.” ― August Wilson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

 

Now, tell us what are some of your favorite inspirational quotes from African American theatre? Drop your favorites in the comments!

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Holliday is best known for originating the role of “Effie White” in Dreamgirls in 1981 for which she won a Tony Award that catapulted her to stardom. Her performance in the role also earned her a Grammy Award for her recorded version of “And I Am Telling You” and Drama Desk and Theater World awards. She has since gone on to a successful acting and recording career, earning another Grammy Award for her recording of Ellington’s “Come Sunday.” She has also appeared in several theater productions, including Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Chicago, Grease, and Black Nativity. Holiday also earned a 1981 Drama Desk nomination for her role in the musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.

Although audiences are accustomed to hearing her soulful voice belting out big show tunes, she’s also confident in her ability to wow jazz aficionados.

“Classic jazz music goes a little bit further than Broadway. Yes, I have a big voice and I’m able to do these great big bring-the-curtain-down songs. For jazz songs, though, you have to be able to bring a listener so close to you in terms of melody lines and lyrics, and those powerful haunting chords and progressions—it’s maybe not where everyone’s jumping to an immediate standing ovation, but they’re definitely moved to tears. It’s not always a standing ovation that lets you know you’ve delivered a number and moved people,” she said in a recent interview.

Sophisticated Ladies is a stylish musical celebration of Ellington’s greatest musical hits set in Harlem’s famed Cotton Club. The extravagant production features a full on-stage orchestra that backs outstanding jazz vocalists and amazing tap dancers. The show opened on Broadway in 1981 and the original cast included Gregory Hines, Judith Jamison, Phyllis Hyman, Hinton Battle, Gregg Burge, and Mercer Ellington. Battle won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. The concept is credited to famed choreographer Donald McKayle. Lloyd Mayers and Malcolm Dodds originally produced the show on Broadway with musical and vocal arrangements under the musical direction of Duke’s son, Mercer Ellington. The cast brings Ellington classics like “Mood Indigo,” “Take the A Train,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” to life in this Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

The Zach Theatre production is directed by Abe Reybold and is playing on the Topfer Stage from July 15 through August 23, 2015. Watch highlights from the show & an interview with Jennifer Holliday below

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