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.

The post Theater Royalty Gather To Celebrate Louis Johnson 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.

From The New York City Center Website;

Before Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, there was a sinister little houseplant saying, “Feed me.” Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s giddy, gory musical Little Shop of Horrors was their first major hit, running Off-Broadway for five years and spawning a 1986 cult-classic film. Now the show returns to City Center in a special event starring Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as Seymour Krelborn, a hapless florist who pursues a doomed romance with his ditzy, lovable co-worker Audrey (Tony Award nominee Ellen Greene) by acquiring a plant that feeds on human blood.

The production only ran for three performances July 1 – July 2, and each show was completely sold out! And for good reason, as the show received mostly positive reviews from critics.

What made this production particularly exciting was forgoing the usual extensive special-effect puppet that is Audrey II, and instead having the plant on stage as a fully visible little boy (play by Anwar Kareem) that eventually transforms later, to a large man with a soothing bass voice (played by Eddie Cooper). The choice seemed to sit well with most critics as the USA Today stated;

Eddie Cooper brought a booming voice and a chilling gregariousness to the part of the bloodthirsty plant (named Audrey II), who brings money and fame to Seymour and the shop but makes increasingly heavy demands on our hero’s conscience.

Tracy Nicole Chapman, Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller lent witty, sultry support as the three ladies who function as the show’s girl-group chorus. “You know the meek are gonna get what’s comin’ to em,” they tease Seymour towards the end.

The show was last seen on Broadway in New York in a 2003 production starring Hunter Foster and Kerry Butler, the show closed on August 22, 2004 after 40 previews and 372 regular performances.

Next up for Encores! Off-Center, The Wild Party which begins July 15 and stars Sutton Foster, Steven Pasquale, and Brandon Victor Dixon.

The post Encores! Little Shop of Horrors Scores Big At New York City Center appeared first on Broadway Black.

Amazing Grace at the Nederlander Theatre

Eddie Cooper is a native of Hell’s Kitchen and a graduate of the LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Cooper is also the recipient of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from Ithaca College. Other television credits include ABC’s Forever as well as a role in an upcoming HBO series Crime.

The show presented by Encores! Off-Center is running at New York City Center starring Ellen Greene, Jake Gyllenhaal and Taran Killam; it is directed by Dick Scanlan. The musical composed by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman is based on the 1960’s film of the same name.  The comedy horror rock show follows the story of florist Seymour Krelborn (Gyllenhaal) who tries to court his lovable, but slightly daft co-worker Audrey (Greene) with a blood sucking crooning plant named Audrey II(Cooper).

Ramona Keller, Marva Hicks and Tracy Nicole Chapman as The Radio in Caroline, Or Change

The character is traditionally voiced offstage with the actor over a microphone. An R&B girl group, The Urchins, provides commentary on the action and will feature the original cast members of the Radio from Caroline, Or Change. Tracy Nicole Chapman as Chifon, Marva Hicks as Crystal and Ramona Keller as Ronnette.

The run is from July 1 to July 2 with only three performances. The New York Center is located and tickets can be purchased at 131 W 55th St (btwn 6th & 7th) New York, NY 10019 or by calling CityTix® at 212.581.1212. You can also visit nycitycenter.org

The post Eddie Cooper Replaces Father Chuck Cooper in Little Shop of Horrors With Jake Gyllenhaal appeared first on Broadway Black.