We are less than TWO WEEKS away from the musical television event of the SEASON and, of course, you know Broadway Black has all the breaking news right here!

In case you’ve been living under a rock, NBC released two new promos for The Wiz Live! last week featuring a wizardly Queen Latifah and a deliciously wicked Mary J. Blige.

Now, obviously, we’re all anticipating the performances, but can we talk for a second about these COSTUMES?!?!  The whole time Evilene was screaming about water, all I could focus on was Paul Tazewell’s brilliantly glimmering headpiece and fascinatingly wired corset.  Even in the promo shots, I was dazed by the monochromatic stylings given to each one of Oz’s mythical characters.  I’m always mesmerized by the details.  Ok…back to business!

In the new television commercial, we get to hear a clip of Evilene belting the gospel show-stopper “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News,” proving to the naysayers that R&B diva Blige is definitely ready to take on this iconic Broadway role.  The Queen herself (Latifah that is) brings her familiar regality to the role of the Wizard as she advises the bewildered foursome on how to proceed.

“There was no other name talked about,” director Kenny Leon professed at the Wiz Live! press event.  “Queen Latifah was the only choice for ‘The Wiz.'”

Broadway Black attended the press event last week and chatted with the cast and creative team about costumes, casting and choreography.

“We’ve incorporated the Nae Nae, we’re hitting the Quan, every current dance out today we’re using it,” touted choreographer, Fatima Robinson.

While I’m not sure George Faison would have approved of the “Nae Nae” in his original works, I just remind myself that Robinson was the soulful choreographer behind the Oscar-nominated film adaptation of “Dreamgirls” and (most of) my faith is restored.

So, get your tickets to the Broadway Black Exclusive #TheWizLive Watch Party  on Dec. 3, and we can all see what happens together!

In the words of the newest Dorothy, Shanice Williams, “You ain’t ready for it.”

The post NBC Releases New Promos as The Wiz Live! Prepares for Premiere appeared first on Broadway Black.

12 Angry Men, based on the book 12 Angry Men: True Stories of Being a Black Man in America Today, is a collection of personal stories of Black men from across the United States about being racially profiled. During a time when racial tensions are at an extreme high, conversations about this topic are not only necessary but extremely rewarding. The original book is a compilation of stories, essays, and personal accounts of racial profiling from Black men of various professions, backgrounds and ages. 

Each performance begins with a “talk back” conversation that will start seventy-five minutes before each show. The show stars Oberon K.A. Adjepong, Jerome Preston Bates, Sheldon Best, W. Tre Davis, Jason Dirden, Dulé Hill, Chuckwudi Iwuji, Dorian Missick, Roscoe Orman, Roger Robinson, Terrell Tilford, and John David Washington.

Shows run on Saturday, November 14th through Friday, November 20th with all performances starting at 8:00 p.m. and a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, November 15th. All performances take place at Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here. 

There will be a student matinee on Wednesday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. Email billieholiday.events@gmail.com for more information. Student seats are free and available to 8th-12th grade students, as well as college and university students, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The post 12 Angry Men Directed by George Faison Gets An Extended Run appeared first on Broadway Black.

Theater greats including Phylicia Rashad, Melba Moore, Marva Hicks, George Faison, and Chita Rivera all participated in the exclusive event purposed to honor the life and works of Johnson as well as raise money for the full-length feature documenting his career, also entitled Up In The Air.

Most renowned for his choreography in the timeless film, The Wiz, Johnson was one of the first African Americans to appear in a Broadway ensemble.  Having been featured and learning from some of the dance greats, including Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins, Johnson began creating his own art in the 1950’s.  In addition to commissioning some of his most notable works for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, he also received a Tony Award nomination for his choreography in the 1970 musical Purlie. 

The evening was hosted by the regal Ms. Rashad and proved to be a glorious exhibition of Johnson’s contributions.  The Philadelphia Dance Company and Howard University’s department of dance restaged some of Johnson’s well known choreographed pieces.  Moore, an original cast member of Purlie, and Hicks, a former Howard University student of the tribute, both provided vocal selections in his honor.

The man behind the documentary- choreographer/writer/teacher and Up In The Air producer, David Robertson, provided one of the most thrilling pieces of the evening – a revival of the infamous Emerald city scene from “The Wiz” complete with special appearances of original dancers from the film.

Having been inspired by Johnson, Robertson has spent the last few years interviewing the sensation and building this tribute in hopes of creating a “lasting testament to his creative genius that will inspire future generations of artists.”

For more information and to contribute to Up In The Air, visit UpInTheAirDoc.com.

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