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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The festival begins with a Red Carpet Opening production entitled Colored Lodgings by Bill Harris. This play, starring NAACP Image Award and Emmy nominee Taurean Blacque, centers around the aspiration of a pre-Civil Rights Black businessman who created a hotel for “Colored People” and became entwined in a provocative story that must be told.

Other performances include the Passing of Fatha Thyme by Roz Ayres-Williams, Changes by Andria & Anthony Chappell, Crazy Love by Geiselle Nix-Fauntleroy, Black Social Network by Zondra Hughes, Titty by Stephane Dunn, PhD, Thirsty by Ursula O. Robinson, and Chicago Trilogy by Sandra Seaton. In addition to performances, the festival features workshops, such as Applied Theatre: Expect the Unexpected; and Acting, Directing & Writing Ain’t for the Thin Skinned where Stephane Dunn, Avery O. Williams and Keith Bolden explore the trends and skills needed to survive an emerging multi-media entertainment industry. The festival also includes DELETED by Valerie Udeozor, a town hall meeting for teens on cyber bullying.

TheAtlanta Black Theatre Festival was established to create and expand opportunities for emerging and seasoned artists from across the Diaspora to showcase their work in Atlanta. The primary goal is to promote diversity in the performing arts and engage and enlighten the next generation while ultimately impacting the cultural and capital economies of the surrounding communities.

Past honorees of the festival are Woodie King, Jr., 2014; Alia Jones-Harvey, 2014; Pearl Cleage, 2013; Melba Moore, 2012; and Taurean Blacque, 2011.

The festival is billed as “a performing arts marathon consisting of over 200 artists representing 18 states and 3 countries”

For more information on performances and tickets, visit www.atlantabtf.org.

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This year’s festival, which runs August 3^rd through August 8th, boasts celebrity co-chairs Debbie Morgan  and Darnell Williams well known as the beloved Black power couple “Angie and Jessie” on the soap opera “All My Children”. Additionally, theatre goers will have the opportunity to attend “The Monkey on My Back” (An Intimate Evening with Debbi Morgan) which details memoirs of her life and legacy. After a stirring celebrity processional replete with African drummers and dancers, attendees of the opening night gala will be treated to an awards presentation. Check out our previous article on this year’s honorees.

The headlining event of the festival this year will be “Black Stars of the Great White Way: A Chapman Roberts Concept” produced by Chapman Roberts. The concert has been described as a “soaring music and dance celebration of the glorious 100 year history of African Americans on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall. This Gala All Broadway Star Production is specifically designed to honor NBTF luminaries past and present”. The concert will include tributes to Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan, Eubie Blake, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong and Noble Sissle. This star studded concert will include the likes of Melba Moore, Jackee Harry, Harold Wheeler, Hattie Winston, Obba Babatunde, Maurice Hines, Alyson Williams, Norm Lewis, Andre Deshields, Larry Marshall, Peggi Blu, Longineu Parsons, Jeffresy Anderson-Gunter, Kirk Taylor, Jacob Wheeler, Dawnn Lewis and Jermaine Coles. Selections from beloved productions of Eubie, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Wiz  and the film “Selma,” will highlight the rich history of Black Broadway Theatre.

According to the website, this year’s festival promises a multitude of “…electrifying performances, informative workshops, riveting films and insightful spoken word poetry that will open your eyes to a new perspective on our culture’s artistic endeavors. Every evening culminates with a Celebrity Reception, Midnight Readers’ Theatre and the Midnight Poetry Jam.” Festival attendees should keep their eyes out for popular productions such as “Letter from Zora: In Her Own Words” performed by OPAS (Los Angeles, CA)  , “The Eve of Jackie: A Tribute to Jackie Wilson” performed by Chess, Not Checkers, Inc. (New York, NY), , “At Last: A Tribute to Etta James” performed by Black Ensemble Theater (Chicago, IL) and “The Bluest Eye” performed by North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC)

This year’s lineup promises to be an exciting and powerful celebration of Black Theatre for both festival veterans and newcomers. Avid festival attendee and supporter Wendell Tabb, Chair of Visual and Performing arts at Hillside High School says the following about the festival “I have had the pleasure of attending the Theatre Festival since 1989. Many of my former Hillside Theatre students perform at the Festival with Theatre Companies from around the world. The National Black Theatre Festival has helped jumpstart so many professional careers and has afforded great opportunities for artist to develop and showcase their works. The vision and legacy of the late Larry Leon Hamlin continues to shine through the hearts of many. I am extremely grateful and honored to be a part of Black Theatre” in the words of Larry Leon Hamlin that’s Marvtastic!

Tickets are currently available online at ww.nbtf.org . Connect with the festival on Facebook.

View a full list of the 2015 NBTF Honorees HERE

The post 2015 National Black Theatre Festival: Promises Music, Dance, Theatre & A Celebration of Legacy appeared first on Broadway Black.

#BroadwayBlackFriday!

Melba Moore made her Broadway debut as Dionne in the original production of Hair in 1967. She won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical in 1970 for her performance in Purlie as Lutiebelle. In 1978, she returned to Broadway in Timbuktu.

Be sure to catch what is sure to be a memorable night with a spectacular talent! Check out a preview for her performance below!

Tickets for Melba Moore at 54 Below can be purchased by visiting 54below.com.

54 Below -Broadway’s Supper Club is located at 254 W. 54th St., New York, NY 10019.

Join Grammy nominee and Tony Award winner Melba Moore as she takes the 54 Below stage! Hailing from a musical family, Ms. Moore graduated from the famed Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey. At the encouragement of her parents, she went on to pursue music education at Montclair State University where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education Degree. However, her inner voice told her to see if she could make it as a performer. After listening to that inner voice, she landed roles in classic shows such as Hair, Les Misérables, and Purlie, for which she earned her Tony Award. Although Ms. Moore enjoyed working on Broadway, she never forgot her first love of music. She has recorded several albums and has enjoyed great success musically with such chart topping songs as “Love’s Comin’ At Ya,” “Living For Your Love,” and “Read My Lips,” for which she received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal.

Now hear Ms. Moore’s musical versatility live at 54 Below! Guests can expect to hear everything from the works that earned her star status on the Great White Way to the chart topping hits from her recording career.

The post Melba Moore Live In Concert At 54 Below appeared first on Broadway Black.

With a total of 11 top ten U.S. hits on the Billboard charts over the past 40 years, both singles and albums, Melba Moore sits with the host of Broadway Black Box, Andrew Shade, to discuss how she’s been able to withstand the changes in the industry and what it takes to have a career span decades.

From theatre to music Melba Moore is a force to be reckoned with and she gives us an inside look on how its all done. You might find yourself more than surprised by her journey. She’s done way more than sing with Beyonce in Fighting Tempations. So, make sure you get your tickets for her upcoming concert. April 13th 9:30pm at The Metropolitan Room. Be There! Find out more HERE!

In 1970, Moore was cast as “Lutiebelle” Gussie Mae Jenkins,” opposite Cleavon Little, in the musical Purlie. Originally she was assigned only the title song, but she had such success with it in previews that songwriters Gary Geld and Peter Udell gave her another, “I Got Love.” This song was such a smash hit that it shot Melba to stardom. Not only did it supply the title to her debut album, which earned her a 1971 Grammy nomination as Best New Artist, but it boosted her to the 1970 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, a 1970 Theatre World Award, and a 1970 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance.

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