Cabin in the Sky is an all-Black musical and his being billed as:

“Cabin in the Sky followed Porgy and Bess in celebrating African‐American music and dance traditions. The musical tells the story of ‘Little Joe’ Jackson, a charming ne’er‐do‐well who dies in a saloon brawl and is given six months on earth to prove his worth to the Lord’s General (Norm Lewis) and his long‐suffering wife Petunia (LaChanze), while resisting the temptations of the Devil’s Head Man (Chuck Cooper)”

Cabin in the Sky will also include J. Bernard Calloway, Marva Hicks, Carly Hughes, Forrest McClendon and J.D. Webster. Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago‐Hudson directs with choreography by Camille A. Brown.

The musical, written by Lynn Root, was originally produced on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre in 1940 with music by Vernon Duke, lyrics by John La Touche, and choreography by George Ballanchine to “celebrate African American achievement in music and dance.” The original cast included singer-actress Ethel Waters, famed dancer/choreographer Katherine Dunham, film/television actor Rex Ingram, and composer/singer J. Rosemond Johnson. The musical closed on March 8, 1941 after 156 performances.

Two years later, the musical hit the big screen during a time when Blacks rarely appeared in leading roles in film. According to “Beyond Racial Stereotypes: Subversive Subtexts in ‘Cabin in the Sky’” by Kate Marie Weber, as part of his New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration advocated for more Black actors in major roles as a way to create more jobs for Blacks in the film industry. Additionally, the NAACP met with Hollywood executives to demand better roles for Black actors and actresses. As a result, “Cabin in the Sky,” starring Waters, Ingram, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, and Lena Horne, became one of the few films, at that time, produced by one of Hollywood’s major studios with an all-Black cast.

Encores! production of Cabin in the Sky runs Feb 10 – 14, 2016. Tickets for the performance can be purchased here.

The post LaChanze, Norm Lewis & Chuck Cooper Will Star in Cabin in the Sky appeared first on Broadway Black.

In the 1920’s Harper became indelibly intertwined with building Harlem as a cultural icon. Harper produced at historical bastions like Connie’s Inn, Lafayette Theatre and the opening of the new Apollo Theatre. By 1929, Harper was producing the broadway hit Hot Chocolates and directing the cabaret scenes in the first Black “talkie” film “The Exile”. As his career progressed, he moved on to producing shows at The Cotton Club and hired many other iconic performers such as Lena Horne, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Ultimately the public’s interest began to decline on these types of shows and Harper’s work as a producer became less frequent. He died at the age of 45 of a heart attack while rehearsing a chorus line at Murrian’s Harlem Club in 1943.

In recognition of his contributions as a artistic pioneer, Harper will be honored on October 10, 2015 with a street co-named after him. Leonard Harper Way will be located at the the South/East Corner of 132nd. St. & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd also known as(7th. Ave.)

Leonard Harper was one of the most influential African-American producers, directors and choreographers of his era. Throughout his short lifespan, he produced over 2,000 shows on stage and screen with some of the greatest icons of the Harlem Renaissance. His work left everlasting impressions and opened a door of opportunities for others to be involved in the motion picture industry. Because of his historic performances and productions that showcased Black culture, it is with great honor that the southwest corner of 132nd street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. be known as Leonard Harper Way,” said Council Member Inez E. Dickens.

This honor is just another sign of the tides turning toward more recognition of the hard work, talent and effort provided by the Black community in establishing the history and dynamic legacy of entertainment not just in Broadway but beyond. We salute the contributions of those who went often unrecognized during their lifetimes and paved the way for more Black entertainers to receive the accolades they so richly deserve.

Watch Leonard Harper’s Connie’s Inn Chorus Line Staged & Directed in the film The “Exile”

The post Leonard Harper Will Be Honored with Street Name appeared first on Broadway Black.

Also featured in this film is the incredible Katherine Dunham and her dance troupe. Dunham’s choreography was part of countless film and stage productions and her company travelled internationally for over 20 years. She inspired artists such as Alvin Ailey and her technique is still taught today in dance programs around the world.

Other brilliant dancers in this piece are the incomparable Nicholas Brothers. Their performance of “Jumpin Jive” with Cab Calloway and his orchestra is still one of the most thrilling dances captured on film.

What makes this film so important is not only the presence of artists of color on the silver screen, but the portrayal of black people as more than just domestic workers and servants in the background which had been Hollywood standard with few exceptions. This film joyously showcases some of the most talented entertainers while also breaking barriers and blazing trails for artists today.

The post Remembering A Classic: Stormy Weather Starring Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, & Cab Calloway appeared first on Broadway Black.

When NBC made the announcement at the end of March that its next live musical would be The Wiz the internet went into a tizzy! Immediately theatre lovers begin pitching their dream casts! Theatre names like Anika Noni Rose, Nikki M. James , Tituss Burgess, and Condola Rashad were tossed about and mainstream names like Chris Brown, Usher, Janelle Monae, and Beyonce were also thrown into the mix. There was a great concern from many theatre buffs that NBC would cast “known” names to draw in viewers instead of casting actors and actresses more familiar with the stage. To this director Kenny Leon responded with great confidence that commercial casting would not take place. “We will tell the story with the best, available cast..no tricks- no worries!”, stated the Tony Award winner. Keke Palmer, if casted, would bring both audiences; theatre and popular culture fans.

The Wiz– based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz- made its Broadway debut in 1975. The musical went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Original Score among other recognitions. The cast included the talents of Stephanie Mills, Ted Ross, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Mabel King. The film adaptation was released in October 1978 and included an equally impressive cast- Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross and Richard Pryor. There has not been a Broadway revival of the classic since that time so it’s no wonder everyone is over the moon with excitement! We certainly can’t wait!

Make sure you continue to follow Broadway Black for all of the updates on everything The Wiz!

The post Keke Palmer Sings Home From The Wiz appeared first on Broadway Black.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmv2A8dDOgk

LENA: A Moment With A Lady MARCH 31st, 2015

Show & Dinner @ 7PM DUANE PARK NYC Tickets:45$

The show (previously entitled, “Let Me Love You: A dedication to Lena Horne”) made its debut on March 24, 2014 performing to a SOLD OUT audience at the world- famous Cutting Room NYC. The demand for the show was so high, the show returned, this time at the elegant Duane Park NYC and brought the house down in front of another SOLD OUT audience. And we’re sure March 31st will be no different. Get ready to put on your best upscale casual attire and get your tickets now HERE before it sells out ! Also, learn more about the show and the journey it’s taken to get to this point in our interview with the fabulously talented Syndee Winters below!

BroadwayBlack (BB): Let’s jump right in. What inspires you the most about Lena Horne?

Syndee Winters (SW): It was sort of by accident that I found her. Someone said to me when I was in college “Oh, you remind me of a young Lena Horne.” So I googled her and when I did I was immersed in a world of this woman. I really identified with her. She was tenacious, classy, extremely talented, and extremely beautiful, and she had gone through  a lot of tribulations in her to life to make her the person that she was. And in living my life I identified and understood her.

(BB): Who is she to you?

(SW): She is… kind of like a spiritual mentor or an entertainment mentor. Kind of guiding me thru how I conduct myself as a performer and a businesswoman in the entertainment industry. She is such an inspiration to me. So, producing this concert is my way of honoring her and celebrating her. And bringing her to the forefront of my generation. This is my love letter to her.

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010)

(BB): What is something that people would be surprised to know about Lena Horne?

(SW): You know, people have forgotten she was a pop star. In whatever the sense a pop star was back in the 1940s and 50s. She was the equivalent of what like… Beyonce is today. AND many people don’t know how much of a civil rights activist she was back in those days. She actually put out a civil rights protest record and it was banned. Like, how bad ass is that? I just love her. I love her attitude, I lover everything about her. She makes it okay for me to be who I am in this industry as I’m learning.

(BB): How did you birth the idea of this production?

(SW): I had just come off The Lion King tour. I was ready to step into a new phase in my life and I was sort of in a place where I wanted to make my own way. So, a friend of mine said “Write a show!” and I said “Oh, well… Okay!”. So, it kind of came on as dare and what started off as a dare turned into a full on lifestyle commitment. The more I researched and the more did work on this project, the more I fell in love with Lena Horne, and her story, and wanting to make her as fabulous and relevant as the pop stars of today.

(BB): You did a successful indiegogo campaign which allowed you to produce and eventually sell-out the last TWO mountings of this project. How have things grown since then?

(SW): Honestly, beginning out, all I had was a flyer and a dream. So to do the campaign and exceed my goal of 7,000$ and to be contacted, somehow, someway, by Fox Good Day New York to do a performance on their morning show, and thru that the buzz really picked up. It’s been like the angels are guiding me.

(BB): Why did you choose this specific time in Lena’s life to showcase?

(SW): It was a pivotal moment for her (right before she went to Broadway with her one woman show). It was a very new chapter in her life where she was okay with being who she was. No longer feeling like she had to prove anything to anyone and she was ready to share her story (on this tour). This may be bold but , although her one woman show was her way of telling it, this show is the voice of Lena Horne in today. It will get the audience to understand and love who she was.

(BB): What is your favorite Lena Horne song?

(SW): My favorite would be a song she sings from the musical Gypsy called “Some People”. I just feel like that really sums up her life.

(BB): Out of all the shows you’ve done on Broadway Off-Broadway, which one taught you the most and prepared you for this?

(SW): I think, The Lion King taught me the most. It was my first Broadway musical. I wanted to be in that show since I was 9 years old. I wanted to play Nala. So when I put THAT image on my vision board and I put it in my prayers and the prayer was answered, it completely changed not only my life but the way I though about dreams, goals, and accomplishments. It totally switched my way of thinking.

(BB): Anything you’d like to say to our readers?

(SW): Yes! Come see the show! And check us out on Instagram @LenaTheLady and visit the website LENATHELADY.com

The post Syndee Winters Dares To Be Lena Horne appeared first on Broadway Black.