Jill Rafson expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the project despite the delay, stating, “We’re so excited about the incredible team that is coming together for Wine in the Wilderness.” She added, “Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts have arisen that will prevent the production from taking place this spring, but we look forward to sharing this piece with audiences as part of next season.”

Wine in the Wilderness promises to be a captivating exploration of art, race, and identity. The play revolves around artist Bill Jameson, who finds inspiration in a model named Tomorrow Marie for the final piece of his triptych on Black womanhood. However, Tomorrow Marie is no ordinary muse; she challenges Bill’s perceptions and forces him to confront deeper truths about himself and society. Set against the 1964 Harlem riot backdrop on a sweltering summer night, the play delves into themes of empowerment, cultural upheaval, and artistic integrity.

Alice Childress, the playwright behind Wine in the Wilderness, is known for her insightful and thought-provoking works. Her play Trouble in Mind recently made waves on Broadway (starring LaChanze), showcasing her talent for addressing complex social issues with nuance and depth. Now, with Wine in the Wilderness, audiences can expect another powerful narrative that sheds light on the Black experience in America.

Adding to the anticipation is LaChanze’s directorial debut in New York City. The Tony Award-winning actress and producer brings her profound understanding of Childress’s work to the director’s chair, promising a production that honors the playwright’s vision while offering a fresh perspective.

Classic Stage Company’s decision to postpone Wine in the Wilderness comes after a successful 23/24 season that included productions like I Can Get It for You Wholesale, featuring music and lyrics by Harold Rome, and Fiasco Theater’s rendition of William Shakespeare’s Pericles, directed by Ben Steinfeld. These previous successes only heighten expectations for what is to be a compelling and thought-provoking theatrical experience.

As theatre enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of “Wine in the Wilderness” in the 2024-2025 season, the delay serves as a testament to the complexity and dedication involved in bringing meaningful stories to the stage. The journey to opening night may be postponed, but the anticipation and excitement continue to build for this upcoming production that will surely leave a lasting impact on audiences.

The post Classic Stage Company’s Production of <em>Wine in the Wilderness</em> by Alice Childress Postponed appeared first on Broadway Black.

The story follows a Black actress through rehearsals of a major Broadway production and tackles the issues involving racism, identity, and ego, within New York theatre. The play also discusses issues in the Civil Rights Movement and feminist movement. Opening Off-Broadway in 1955, Childress’ play was set to move to Broadway in 1957, however, it never grew to fruition.

Today, the anticpated story will be directed by Charles Randolph-Wright follow two development readings. Additionally, another Childress’s piece titled Wine in the Wilderness was presented through Roundabout’s The Refocus Project in partnership with the Black Theatre United. This project highlighted 20th century plays by Black playwrights.

The creative team will include set designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Emilo Sosa, lighting designer Kathy A. Perkins, sound designer Dan Moses Schreier, and composer Nona Hendyx.

Recently, Lachanze was seen as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol. Her originated the role of Celie in the Original Broadway Cast of The Color Purple which earned her a Tony Award. She also has starred in shows such as Once On This Island and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which respectively earned her Tony nominations and If/Then, Dreamgirls, and Company. 

Additional cast members for Trouble in Mind will be annouced soon. For more infomation on the production, please visit HERE.

The post LaChanze Set to Star in Broadway Premiere of Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind appeared first on Broadway Black.

On Nov. 10, more than 30 years after its inception, a new edition of Walker’s “The Color Purple” will be released alongside the highly anticipated musical revival.  Featuring artwork and exclusive elements from the newest stage production, the special edition, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Mariner Books, is available the same date the musical begins Broadway previews, Nov. 10th, 2015.

“The Color Purple” tells the inspirational story of Celie, who through faith and the power of love, triumphs over relentless pain and adversity to find the God-given strength she never knew she had.

Over the years, “The Color Purple” has received as much commendation as it has criticism.  In 1983, the novel received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction.  Despite the stigma surrounding its themes of sexism, racism and violence, Steven Spielberg took on the courageous task of directing the film adaptation in 1985.  Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, the film went on to receive 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, but failed to win any.

A musical adaptation of the famed novel came to Broadway in 2005, produced by Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones, Harvey Weinstein, and original film cast member, Winfrey.  Starring LaChanze as Celie, the musical also received 11 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.  LaChanze took the award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Now, following rave reviews in London, American fans of the original production are eager to experience director John Doyle’s stripped down version of The Color Purple, starring Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson and Danielle Brooks, which opens Dec. 10.

Alice Walker’s literary contribution is epic and the re-release marks the commemoration of a story that needs to be heard and hopefully will be for years to come.  I have seen the musical three times, watched the movie more times than I can count, but I must say, nothing compares to her words.  I implore you to read this beautiful novel.  Knowing it will only make every other adaptation that much more remarkable.

On October 29th, 2015 Alice Walker and the stars of The Color Purple revival, Cynthia Erivo & Jennifer Hudson, along with the director of the Broadway revival, John Doyle will sit down at John L Tishman Auditorium at The New School for a TimesTalks conversation. Watch the live stream with us below at 7:30pm EST!

Don’t miss this exciting conversation with musical performances from the new Broadway production of “The Color Purple.” Hear Alice Walker, author of the 1982 Pulitzer Prize–winning novel; Tony Award winner John Doyle, who re–envisioned the new, critically acclaimed musical; and two of its stars – Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, and from the hit London production, British stage star Cynthia Erivo, both making their Broadway debuts. Moderated by New York Times theater reporter Michael Paulson.

The post Alice Walker’s The Color Purple Sets New Edition Release + Times Talks Livestream appeared first on Broadway Black.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Steven Spielberg-directed motion picture, the musical opened at The Broadway Theatre on December 1, 2005 with a stellar cast that starred LaChanze as “Celie,” Brandon Victor Dixon as “Harpo,” Felicia P. Fields as “Sofia,” Renée Elise Goldsberry as “Nettie,” Kingsley Leggs as “Mister,” Krisha Marcano as “Squeak,” and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as “Shug Avery.”

It was directed by Gary Griffin, produced by Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey, with choreography by Donald Byrd and musical direction by Linda Twine. Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman (‘night, Mother) penned the book for the show, with music and lyrics by celebrated songwriters and artists Stephen Bray, Allee Wills, and Brenda Russell.

Oprah, who was nominated for an Oscar as “Sofia” in the movie version, came on as an investor and producer before the show’s November 1 preview to expand its box office potential. Once she signed on, the show was titled Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple. At that time, her self-titled television show was a ratings juggernaut, averaging 9 million viewers per year. With Oprah’s name on the marquee, it was almost guaranteed a built-in audience.

Despite Oprah’s star power, the show opened to mixed reviews from the critics. Ben Brantley of the New York Times wrote,

Time doesn’t just fly in the exhaustingly eventful world of The Color Purple, it threatens to break the sound barrier. In faithfully adapting Ms. Walker’s incident-crammed 1982 Pulitzer Prizewinner about Southern black women finding their inner warriors, the show’s creators have fashioned a bright, shiny and muscular storytelling machine that is, above all, built for speed. Watching this beat-the-clock production summons the frustrations of riding through a picturesque stretch of country in a supertrain like the TGV. Thanks to the cast’s spirited way with a song, Purple strikes some sparks during its long and winding journey. But it takes a concentration and leisure the show lacks to fan sparks into a steady flame.

From Michael Feingold of The Village Voice, “The feelings that The Color Purple may arouse in you don’t disguise the fact that they’ve been gotten in a comparatively crude and unimaginative manner. The disheartening lack of quality in the material dilutes the quality of feeling with which it’s being put over and makes the meanings behind it look questionable as well.”

On a more complimentary note, Roma Torre of NY1 wrote, “As art, the show is flawed, but it’s also so full of heart, the flaws don’t seem to matter. The Color Purple sings to the soul.”

And Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press added “Fans of Walker’s novel most likely will not be disappointed in this reverent stage retelling and will embrace it heartily as a live souvenir of the original. Others may crave a little more theatrical excitement.”

However, when it came time for the Tony Awards nominations, the production received tremendous love and recognition, receiving 11 nominations, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. LaChanze won the Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

The Color Purple closed on February 24, 2008, after 30 previews and 910 regular performances. The Broadway production recouped its $11 million investment within its first year on Broadway. After its three-year Broadway run, the show went on to three national tours and several regional productions. In 2013, John Doyle directed the London production at the Meiner Chocolate Factory starring Erivo as “Celie.” It is this production that is inspiring the Broadway revival this fall.

For tickets to this upcoming production, click HERE.

The post Retrospective: The Color Purple appeared first on Broadway Black.

If/Then is an original contemporary musical about a city planner who relocates to New York after her marriage ends and whose subsequent life plays out simultaneously along two distinct paths. The show began previews at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on March 5, 2014, and officially opened on March 30. It closed on March 22, 2015 after 29 previews and 401 regular performances.

In the musical, LaChanze portrays “Kate,” an elementary school teacher and new neighbor of Menzel’s character “Elizabeth.” LaChanze won the 2006 Best Actress Tony Award for The Color Purple and received a Tony nomination for Once on This Island. Her other Broadway credits include Ragtime, Company and Uptown It’s Hot. LaChanze’s off-Broadway credits include Dessa Rosse, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, The Vagina Monologues and Inked Baby. She has also headlined the original concert Love Hangover: LaChanze Sings Diana Ross.

If/Then is directed by Michael Greif and features music by Tom Kitt, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. If/Then earned Tony Award nominations for Best Original Score and Best Actress (Menzel). The musical features choreography by Larry Keigwin, set design by Tony nominee Mark Wendland, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Tony winner Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony winner Brian Ronan.

The post LaChanze Hits the Road with If/Then appeared first on Broadway Black.

Billy Mitchell has created a long-standing adult version of this pastime, as Clue meets Mad Libs with Broadway’s finest serving up an interactive improvisational comedy show – all in the name of fundraising for charitable organizations. Villain: DeBlanks, a Time Out NY Critic’s Pick, returns with an all-Black cast for a special performance benefiting Broadway Barks.

The monthly no-show-is-ever-the-same event will be 9pm Thursday, Sept. 3, at The Triad. The audience will help the cast determine just how villainous the life of the dead Phillip DeBlanks was in the uncensored and unrehearsed murder mystery.

The repeat cast – which we reported recently appeared in the interactive installment at 54 Below – features: Tony nominee Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe’s Café, Chicago); Angela Robinson (OWN Network’s “The Haves and the Have Nots,” The Color Purple), Trent Armand Kendall (Bat-Boy, Five Guys Named Moe – West End); Kingsley Leggs (Sister Act, The Color Purple); and Bernard Dotson (Finian’s Rainbow, Chicago). New to the lineup is Tony winner LaChanze (If/Then, The Color Purple).

Attendees will laugh their __________ off (insert plural noun).

Presented in association with La Vie Productions/R. Erin Craig, Villian: DeBlanks will benefit Broadway Barks. Founded in 1988 by Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters, Broadway Barks will sponsor a dog and cat adoption event featuring pets from New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies.

The Triad, the original home to three of the 20 longest running Off-Broadway shows, is located at 158 W. 72nd Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues) in New York. Tickets ($25) and information are available at triadnyc.com or by calling 1-888-596-1027.

The post Angela Robinson, LaChanze, & Brenda Braxton Headline Villain: DeBlanks Comedy Benefit appeared first on Broadway Black.

As Broadway prepares for the return of The Color Purple this fall, let’s look back at the history of this incredible American story and its impact over the years.

The Color Purple is a novel written by Alice Walker. Born in 1944 to parents who were Georgia sharecroppers, Walker was riveted by stories from her parents, grandparents, and extended family about their youth and childhood experiences. However, she did not see any of these types of stories represented in literature at the time. Walker wanted to write a novel describing the struggles of 3 generations of Georgia sharecroppers and was determined to have their stories heard in their speech. In a recent Huffington Post interview, Walker says, “What I would like people to understand when they read The Color Purple, is that there are all these terrible things that can actually happen to us, and yet life is so incredibly magical and abundant and present that we can still be very happy.”

The novel was published in 1982 and became an international best seller with over 5 million copies sold. The following year, it won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. This reception garnered the attention of filmmaker Steven Spielberg who met with Walker with the hope of adapting her novel into a film. In 1985, The Color Purple premiered in movie theaters and starred Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, and introduced film audiences to Whoopi Goldberg as ‘Celie’. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, but won none- however, it has stood the test of time becoming one of the most iconic films in the American cinema.

Nearly 20 years after the novel was published, Walker was approached by producer Scott Sanders about adapting her book into a Broadway musical. Walker was initially reluctant to this idea and took some convincing from Sanders that it could be an amazing concept. After some time, she gave her consent and it took almost 2 years to assemble a creative team. It was important to Sanders that this team included artists of color and female artists as it would best capture this story. Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman (‘night, Mother) penned the book for the show, with music and lyrics by Stephen Bray, Allee Wills and Brenda Russell; Gary Griffin signed on as director with Donald Byrd choreographing; music director extraordinaire Linda Twine also joined the creative team. The production gained another producer in Quincy Jones who composed the music for the 1985 film, and had its out-of-town tryout in 2004 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. The following year, Oprah Winfrey joined the production team and in 2005, Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple debuted on Broadway. The production earned 10 Tony nominations in 2006 and LaChanze won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her portayal of ‘Celie’.

In addition to its 3-year Broadway run, The Color Purple went on to 3 national tours, several regional productions, and in 2013- John Doyle directed the London production at the Meiner Chocolate Factory starring Cynthia Erivo as ‘Celie’. It is this production that is inspiring the upcoming Broadway revival this fall with Erivo reprising her role and joined by Jennifer Hudson as ‘Shug’ and Danielle Brooks as ‘Sophia’.
Now that we are all caught up on the extensive history of this phenomenal piece, be sure to get your tickets to The Color Purple which begins previews November 10! Visit www.colorpurple.com for more details.

Can’t wait til November? Check out the production trailer here

The post From A Book To Broadway: The Journey of The Color Purple 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.

Danielle Brooks, known for her role as Taystee on the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” will star as Sofia; Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson will take on the role of Shug Avery, and Cynthia Erivo will reprise her role as Celie, which she played in the London staging of the Color Purple.

The trio discussed how excited they were to work together and play such iconic roles.  Jennifer Hudson said, “She (Shug) is in me.  I’m completely connected to it…I cannot wait to completely tap into her.” Danielle Brooks (fittingly, The Color Purple was the first Broadway show she saw), describes it as an “out of body experience…I can’t believe it’s happening and it’s so exciting when your dreams come true.”

“What {director} John Doyle has done with The Color Purple is a revelation—to maintain the show’s epic sweep and sense of history while also ensuring that Celie’s journey be an intimate, emotionally profound theatrical experience,” said producer Scott Sanders. “Celie is the heart of The Color Purple and Cynthia Erivo, an astonishingly talented young actress who will be making her Broadway debut, is thrilling in the role. She breaks the audience’s heart and heals it by the show’s finale, all while blowing the roof off the theatre with her remarkable voice. And having her joined onstage by an acclaimed actress and recording star like Jennifer Hudson—who will also be making her Broadway debut—all but guarantees some legendary musical theatre fireworks.”

Tickets go on sale June 30 to the general public but are available now to Audience Rewards members.

The post Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks, & Cynthia Erivo Discuss The Color Purple appeared first on Broadway Black.