Frenchie Davis Archives - Broadway Black

Mykal Kilgore Doo-Wops My Heart Will Go On

Broadway Black — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:05:24 +0000

Recently, American Idol and The Voice alum Frenchie Davis wowed the masses when she turned Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” from chirpy hip hop hit into a powerful, soulful acoustic version in the first installment of a new video series, Hip Hop Musicals. Now, acclaimed Broadway actor and singer Mykal Kilgore has taken his turn at reshaping a classic tune. Retro-pop group Postmodern Jukebox recruited Kilgore to help them turn Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” the soaring theme song from the blockbuster movie “Titanic,” into a ’60s doo-wop pop tune with Jackie Wilson stylings.

Postmodern Jukebox, headed by Scott Bradlee, features a cast of both regular and evolving vocalists, musicians and other performers, including tap dancers and tambourine players who create retro versions of popular radio standards. The group has retrofitted tunes from Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” that was reimagined as a flapper-inspired tune and turned Taylor Swift’s hit “Bad Blood” into a jazz standard. The revolving band of musicians and singers perform the songs live in Bradlee’s apartment and the videos then are posted to YouTube. Postmodern Jukebox videos currently boast over 200 million YouTube views.

Broadway aficionados are no strangers to Kilgore’s vocal talents. Known for his powerhouse vocals, he has been described as a “once-in-a-generation talent”, having starred in the hit Broadway musical Motown: The Musical playing the roles of “Dennis Edwards,” & more while also understudying the role of “Marvin Gaye.” Kilgore also appeared in The Book of Mormon as part of the 1st national touring company & recently appeared as “Stevie Wonder” in the musical Marley at Baltimore’s Centerstage.

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Frenchie Davis & Wilkie Ferguson Turn Trap Queen Into A Musical Ballad + Watch Me Whip

Jazmine Harper-Davis — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 23:30:00 +0000

Yes, you did read that correctly. “Trap Queen” has gone Broadway, well not actually, but Frenchie Davis (RENT) and Wilkie Ferguson (Motown: The Musical, Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess) have turned the hip-hop summer jam into a lovely musical ballad. The song is featured as apart of the duos first of many arrangements for their Youtube Series, Hip Hop Musicals.

UPDATE: 2nd installment is here! View the Hip Hop Musicals’ “Watch Me Whip” video below.

36-year-old Davis is able to make lyrics such as, “Married to the money, introduced her to my stove” sound a whole lot classier, dressed in a black dress while Ferguson dressed in a suit and tie plays the keys.

Ferguson, who is both a writer and producer, will join Davis for dates on her Frenchie Davis Experience tour, which Davis described as a “cabaret act.”

Davis most recently appeared in The Invisible Life at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The show starred Tony winners Brenda Braxton and Vivian Reed with music by Ashford and Simpson. The show is based on the novel by E. Lynn Harris. Davis’ other theater credits include a role in Broadways’s Rent and touring companies of Dreamgirls and Ain’t Misbehavin’, which also featured fellow Idol stars Ruben Studdard and Trenyce Cobbins.

Check out the rendition below, I assure you, you will never be able to listen to Trap Queen the same way again! (Where can I buy this version on iTunes?)

Trap Queen

Watch Me Whip

The post Frenchie Davis & Wilkie Ferguson Turn Trap Queen Into A Musical Ballad + Watch Me Whip appeared first on Broadway Black.

E. Lynn Harris’ Invisible Life Is Now A Musical With Brenda Braxton

Broadway Black — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:58:30 +0000

Invisible Life, the wildly successful novel from author E. Lynn Harris, is now becoming a musical. The musical features a score by Motown legends Ashford & Simpson and will run for only six performances from June 25th-June 30th at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of New York Times best-selling author E. Lynn Harris’ classic American love story INVISIBLE LIFE. This explosive Musical adaptation addresses the conflicts of Sexuality, Religion, HIV/AIDS and Family in America. Soul-stirring R&B mixed with Paradise Garage grooves, everybody will Sing, Vogue & Live!! RAYMOND, a college football player, dreams of a future as a lawyer and family man with his childhood sweetheart SELA, but is seduced into a Down-Low romance by star Quarterback, BASIL HENDERSON. Pressured by his Father to continue his NFL legacy, Raymond escapes to New York City and falls madly in love with a Broadway Diva, NICOLE. Raymond’s scandal-reunion with Basil, and fashionista best friends KYLE & JJ, threatens his Perfect World and forces Raymond to Live his Life in Truth…

The cast is full of Broadway star power. Tony Award nominee Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe’s Cafe) will portray Mama Tyler, the mother of Raymond Tyler Jr., who will be played by Gregory Williams. Raymond’s two closest friends Kyle and JJ, will be Terry Lavell (La Cage aux Folles) and Grammy- nominated Frenchie Davis (RENT)

Rounding out the cast are Tony Award nominee Vivian Reed (Bubbling Brown Sugar) as Aunt Susan, Milton Craig Nealy (Motown, Dreamgirls) as Coach Tyler, Ann McCormack as Candance, Gregory Williams as Raymond Tyler Jr., Brianna Horne as Sela and Terry Lavell (La Cage Aux Folles) as Kyle.

Director Proteus Spann said in a statement recently:

“It is a tremendous honor to work with some of the most talented group of actors this industry has to offer having gone through an extremely delicate and grueling audition process where casting the most appropriate and qualified actors to breathe life into these unforgettable characters the public has come to know and love through E. Lynn’s novels was highly critical.”

And we couldn’t agree more! Get your tickets now! Find out how below!

Showtimes & Tickets:

Thurs Jun 25 at 7:30PM
Fri Jun 26 at 7:30PM
Sat Jun 27 at 3PM
Sat Jun 27 at 7:00PM
Mon Jun 29 at 7:30PM
Tues Jun 30 at 7:30PM

Apollo Soundstage
Tickets: $18
In person at the Apollo Box Office
Online at Ticketmaster.com
Phone at 800.745.3000

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