Mary was portrayed in both Ain’t Too Proud and Motown: The Musical and as news broke of her passing, the cast, past and present, took to social media to show their condolences.

Rest In Heavenly Peace Mary Wilson! A true diva, the original Supreme from the beginning and even after Diana left, she stayed true & held it down for the legacy of the Supremes. Refused to be in anyone’s shadow and stood tall with grace & pride. #MaryWilson #thesupremes #Motown

— Allison Semmes (@AllisonSemmes) February 9, 2021

 

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So sad.
She was a wonderful spirit!!
As my friend just said “she was like your favorite Auntie” and it’s true. Every time I had the pleasure of being with her she was open, kind, and full of joy. And she was funny
Such wonderful memories.
Rest in power#blackexcellence https://t.co/YKigaKa9mv

— James Harkness (@ijamesharkness) February 9, 2021

 

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Last month, Mary posted a January recap on her YouTube channel announcing that she celebrated her 60th anniversary as a Supreme (Primette) on January 15th, since they originally signed on that date in 1961. She also discussed the passing of one of her best friends, Cicely Tyson.

RIP Mary Wilson. The supremes certainly changed the game for us all pic.twitter.com/ld0Gi6HRuY

— Ariana DeBose (@ArianaDeBose) February 9, 2021

Ain’t Too Proud released a statement on their Instagram saying, “We’re heartbroken to hear of the loss of Mary Wilson, one of the founding members of the Supremes. Mary helped craft the iconic Motown sound, and she brought joy and light every time we got to see her at our show. She will be deeply missed.”

The post Mary Wilson, Of The Supremes, Passes Suddenly appeared first on Broadway Black.

Gregory’s vocal range and acting prowess afforded him the lead role in Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theatre’s production of The Jackie Wilson Story, for which he received major acclaim. The Jackie Wilson Story culminated at New York’s famed Apollo Theater and received rave reviews from the New York Times: “There is essentially one reason – and it’s a very good one – to see The Jackie Wilson Story, and that is the star: Chester Gregory.”

Fast forward to today and Chester Gregory comfortably fits several high profile roles under his belt. Gregory had the opportunity to finally sing for his hometown idol, the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, in 2003. He made his Broadway debut as ‘Seaweed’ in Hairspray and later joined the national tour of Dreamgirls with a jaw-dropping performance as ‘Jimmy Early’.

Audiences can’t seem to get enough of the man from Gary, Indiana with a dream. This year, Gregory adds his star power to  Motown The Musical as none other than Berry Gordy. Unsurprisingly, Gregory is already a hit!

Congrats @ChesterGregory on making his debut as #BerryGordy today you killed of course!! Honored to share the stage with you Jr.!!

— Sophia Patrillo (@LadySykes10) January 6, 2016

Motown the Musical is currently on tour across the USA but will make its return to Broadway July 12, 2016. Don’t miss your opportunity to see the amazing Chester Gregory on tour now. For more information on how you can purchase tickets and where you can see the show, click here. 

The post Motown The Musical Tour: Chester Gregory Starring as Berry Gordy ! appeared first on Broadway Black.

‘Flesh and Bone’ takes viewers on a tour of the seedy underbelly of the fiercely competitive world of ballet. Figgins bares almost all as a stripper with sage advice. Her characters name is the “Yasmine” and Figgins show us a completely different side of her talent as she bares all for that almighty dollar dollar bill ya’ll.

Have you caught your favorite exotic dancer #yasmine on fleshandbone_starz Catch up now on Starz!… https://t.co/8BCYulCcRS

— FigginsDaLip (@DionneFiggins) November 30, 2015

Figgins on-screen magic certainly left fans wanting to see more!

well,TY Dionne~It's a pleasure~watching @FleshandBoneSTZ now~& hoping u appear/dance a bit more~I see u play a Mama~ https://t.co/wU3hTbI6wF

— JCG, PhD (@PlanetJCG) December 1, 2015

Figgins is working hard to continuously establish herself as triple threat with notable accomplishments in dance, singing and acting. And while she stays busy on stage and in front of camera, she also makes time to remember the less fortunate through her work as co-founder of Broadway Serves, a service organization comprised of members of the Broadway community who are looking to “be the change we want to see in the world.” Figgins is a powerhouse who cares and we just can’t get enough!

Check Dionne Figgins out on ‘Flesh and Bones’ a STARZ original. All episodes are currently available now On Demand and STARZ play. Let us know what you think!

The post Dionne Figgins Shows Out On STARZ’s Flesh and Bone appeared first on Broadway Black.

http://youtu.be/zqV2Md6qLsM

When the show closed in January, producers already had plans for a New York return. The opening date and venue have been set: July 12. Nederlander Theatre. The number of weeks: 18.

At the end of its debut run, which began in April 2013, 738 performances and 37 previews graced the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The musical frequently reached $1 million a week in box office sales prior to its hiatus; it netted four Tony nominations; and by April 2014, it embarked on a national tour – which is still underway.

Capturing Gordy’s autobiography “To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown,” the musical has had audiences mesmerized by its set list of 66 numbers. CBS Sunday Morning called it “more than a Broadway show… a celebration of music that transformed America.” Other reviews have bcalled Motown:

“A joy ride!” – The New York Times

“Stunning!” – Associated Press

“Something close to a rapture spreads through the audience!” – The New York Times

“Sets the theatre on fire!” – Time Out New York

“This hit machine is running on all cylinders!” – USA Today

Some production and creative changes (casting has yet to be announced) are expected to streamline the show before it sets the New York stage afire again. Yet, it surely will still have a hold on all who participate in listening to “the beat of a generation, the soul of a nation.”

Tickets now are on sale HERE for the West End premiere, which opens February 2016 at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre.

The post Motown The Musical Returns To Broadway Summer 2016 appeared first on Broadway Black.

Dorothy, The Wiz

Are you looking for a classic costume that’s easily identified and even easier to put together? Look no further than “Dorothy”! All you need is a light blue gingham dress with a silk ribbon at the waist, or a white blouse and light blue skirt, white tights or lacy socks and of course you MUST rock the sparkly shoes. To finish the look, style your hair into two ponytails and you are ready to travel the yellow brick road!

Rafiki, The Lion King

Are you the creative type with time on your hands? Well consider “Rafiki” from The Lion King. This character is full of color and the costume opens up a world of possibilities for the open minded costumer. Face paint in bright colors and an assembly of colorfully beaded necklaces and bracelets, rattan rope, burlap and fur embellishments should get you well on your way to bringing this dynamic character to life.

Hedwig, Hedwig and The Angry Inch

If fabulous is your destination and you’ve got the confidence of a rockstar, then what better inspiration than rocker “Hedwig”? Platform shoes, BIG blonde hair, distressed denim with your own graffiti are necessary to pull of this costume. The essential ingredient is a ton of super glittery and flamboyant makeup and voila! You are ready to rock any Halloween party.

Marvin Gaye, Motown The Musical

Let everyone know exactly “What’s Going On” when you arrive at the Halloween party. Channeling the soulfulness of “Marvin Gaye” is a breeze with just a few simple items. A red toboggan or a simple crocheted kufi,  a plainly colored tee shirt layered with a denim shirt and denim jeans should do the trick. Top it off with a beard and you will be ready to croon or maybe lip sync the night away.

Dreamgirls

There’s only one thing that more fun than dressing up for Halloween and that’s pulling off an ensemble set of costumes. A perfect play for the ensemble outfit for you and few of your diva friends, the fellas or a mixed group of Halloween revelers. Ladies, whip out those once used bridesmaid dresses from the back of your closets and fellas hit your local thrift store for wide collars, swinging bell bottoms or an extra shiny and tight suit. Ladies, tease your hair into a sleek updo or a big bouffant and gentlemen pick out your hair or make a quick stop at the beauty supply for a short conked out wig and your ensemble is ready to go.

Motormouth Maybelle, Hairspray

Are you looking to make an impact as soon as you step on the scene? If so, “Motormouth Maybelle” is the character for you. The easiest way to pull off this costume is to start with a gold or satin dress. Purchase a couple of red feather boa’s and attach them to the hem and sleeves. Finish off this sassy look with a blonde wig with curls as tall and plentiful as you can make them and you are ready to liven up any party.

We hope you enjoy these costumes inspired by our Black Broadway stars. Tweet us a picture of what you decided to wear @broadwayblack!

The post 6 Broadway Black Inspired Costumes for Halloween appeared first on Broadway Black.

Marcia Pendelton

In association with Project1Voice and Harlem Hospital, the free event took place in the Herbert Cave Auditorium of Harlem Hospital Center. Act 1 – entitled “Sip, Shop and Bid” – featured Pendleton’s favorite fashion and accessory designers, with silent-auction proceeds benefiting designated theatre companies. Act 2 – titled “Show Out!” – was 90 minutes of special performances by artists and organizations among the rolodex of Walk Tall Girl Productions.

Featured artists were: Darius Crenshaw; Tony nominee André De Shields (The Wiz, The Full Monty); Eden Duncan-Smith (Fences, The Lion King); Marva Hicks (Motown The Musical); Ebony JoAnn (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom); Jamal Story (Motown the Musical, The Color Purple 2005); and Rema Webb (The Lion King, Violet, The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple 2015). Organizations included: Classical Theatre of Harlem; Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn; Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre; Sounds of Praise of Emmanuel Baptist Church; and The Designers Corner.

Founded in 2000, Walk Tall Girl Productions is a boutique marking, audience development and group sales agency dedicated to bringing diverse audiences to the arts on Broadway and beyond. The company, which specializes in theatre and reaching communities from the African Diaspora, has a client list that includes The Public Theater, The New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, National Black Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Urban Bush Women Dance Company. Productions receiving Pendleton’s services have included: Motown: The Musical; the Debbie Allen-directed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Fences (with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis); and Fela!

Born and raised in Philadelphia and now a resident of Brooklyn, NY, Pendelton holds a bachelor’s in sociology (St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia) and a master’s in theatre management (University of Maryland, College Park). She is a member of the Harlem Arts Alliance and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.

The post Walk Tall Girl Productions Celebrated 15 Years With A Taste of My World appeared first on Broadway Black.

We have been long time fans of Kilgore here at Broadway Black. He was the very first voice we ever highlighted here. So what we’re sharing with you today is really special. Mykal took the time and used his God-given, heavenly angel, send us to the cross, golden vocal chords to sing us a very special rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked and we PROMISE you’ve never heard it like this. Get your offering ready NOW to donate to his #KickstartKilgore campaign.

Now, you want to know how to donate right? Check it out below!

According to Kilgore’s Kickstarter page,

This project is bringing out all of the lessons I’ve learned from years of YouTubing Patti Labelle, Donny Hathaway, and James Taylor. I represent classic roots music with a modern feel. Lyrically, I’m going to go deep and sing about love, politics, God, thoughts, family… all of it is in there.

Mykal Kilgore is originally from Florida and grew up in the church as one of nine children. His gospel roots are evident in his sound, which successfully combines a touch of gospel, soul and doo wop. He attended Florida State University where he fell in love with theatre. Currently, Kilgore has been making waves with his work with Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern JukeBox, a rotating group of musicians producing covers of pop songs in jazz, ragtime, and swing styles. The group takes modern pop songs from artists like Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion and Lordes and reworks them into amazing vintage jazz and pop renditions.

#KickstartKilgore and @broadwayblack have a special treat for you guys coming in less than an hour!!!! Stay tuned!!! Broadwayblack.com #9daysleft #supportrealmusic #donate

A photo posted by Mykal (@mykalwitha_y) on Sep 21, 2015 at 5:41am PDT

Having watched his career from his first solo show, “The New Guy,” at the Triad straight through to his sold out “MYKAL@54,” I’m beyond certain that we are going to be amazed by the finished work. His project stays live until the end of September. With so much talent and flair, Mykal Kilgore’s debut album is sure to be a success. To find out more about this dynamic powerhouse, visit his website www.MykalKilgore.com.

The post Exclusive: Mykal Kilgore Defies Gravity For #KickstartKilgore Campaign appeared first on Broadway Black.

It was a moment many had been hoping for and believed was long overdue. Although that was the climax of Williams’ appearance at the pageant, another highlight of the evening, and less talked about by mainstream media, was her stirring rendition of Amy Grant’s “Oh How the Years Go By” with the Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV).

The BIV joined Williams center stage for the opening performance of the pageant. Their performance of the moving ballad caused the audience to erupt into thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

What a great night!! Performing with friend and @bivoices supporter @vwofficial #missamerica #nbc http://t.co/MEefaUnVN8

— Broadway Insp Voices (@BIVoices) September 14, 2015

Broadway Inspirational Voices is a multi-ethnic, multi-denominational choir ensemble made up of actors and musicians from Broadway and off‐Broadway shows such as Aladdin, Book of Mormon, Cinderella, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, The Lion King, Motown, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. The BIV’s mission is “strengthening and unifying the New York community through the transcendent power of music. “

The choir was founded in 1994 by Tony nominee, actor, singer, and director Michael McElroy and became the place where he could express his unique arrangements of known and unknown songs in and out of the American gospel and theatre songbooks. In 2005, McElroy received a Grammy nomination for his work on the choir’s holiday CD, “Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas.”

The BIV is next scheduled to perform at Pope Francis’ Mass at Madison Square Garden on September 25. Other performers scheduled to appear include Harry Connick Jr., Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Hudson, Kelli O’Hara, Martin Sheen, James (D Train) Williams, and Norm Lewis.

The post Vanessa Williams Performs at Miss America Pageant with Broadway Inspirational Voices appeared first on Broadway Black.

Dixon, who received a Tony nomination for his role as “Harpo” in the Broadway production of The Color Purple, will perform original music in a show entitled “Journey to the Center.” He will be accompanied by musical director Michael Mitchell and fellow actors/singers Ryan Shaw, Kenita Miller, Amber Iman, and Crystal Lucas Perry. Shaw, who appeared alongside Dixon in Motown, will also serve as producer.

I hope you all can join me for my debut solo concert!
All proceeds will benefit @BwayServes!
Visit @JoesPub for tix! pic.twitter.com/EIwVG3dTC8

— Brandon Victor Dixon (@BrandonVDixon) August 20, 2015

Dixon made his professional theatre debut in 2003 in the role of adult “Simba” in the national tour of The Lion King. He has appeared in the off-Broadway productions of Rent and The Scottsboro Boys. In 2013, Dixon originated the role of “Berry Gordy” in Motown for which he was nominated for a Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance. Recently, Dixon appeared in The Scottsboro Boys at The Garrick Theatre in London and is currently starring in The Odyssey at The Delacorte for Public Theatre.

2013 proved significant for Dixon in more ways than one. He and Motown choreographer Warren Adams formed WalkRunFly Productions to support young artists. The duo co-produced Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Neil Patrick Harris and Of Mice and Men, starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd. Hedgwig went on to win the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and also garnered the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical. Of Mice and Men was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play.

In 2016, he is scheduled to join Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Billy Porter, and Joshua Henry in a new musical based on the making of Shuffle Along, as previously reported.

For more information and tickets, visit Joe’s Pub.

The post Brandon Victor Dixon Debut Concert at Joe’s Pub appeared first on Broadway Black.

Remarkably, LeKae bowed out of the one-in-a-lifetime Broadway role after six months to undergo surgery to remove a cyst, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and completed six rounds of chemotherapy while being a spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. After celebrating her one-year anniversary of being cancer free in April, LeKae began promoting a crowdfunding campaign for her web series. Filming for the six-episode series took place in July and editing wrapped on Aug. 20.

The actor and singer serves as writer, director and producer of the series, which is described as a sensationalized “true story” following her journey from Motown to Mount Sinai Hospital.

As the Straight Outta Compton film about 80s rap group N.W.A. hit theaters, Memphis, TN native LeKae posted a “Straight Outta Mount Sinai” meme and released the fun music video “Forgot About Kate” from the fictitious The Chronic Illness album. Inspired by the Dr. Dre-produced Grammy-winning “Forgot About Dre” from the album 2001 featuring Eminem, the parody tune speaks to the challenge a cancer survivor has in remaining healthy and emotionally stable.

https://youtu.be/lkCZ6W2kRCg

While battling Stage1A cancer, 34-year-old LeKae used her voice to raise awareness about ovarian cancer – the fourth leading cause of death in American women – and early detection.

With 1 in 3 women in the United States diagnosed with cancer, LeKae had no genetic traces of ovarian or breast cancer – a cancer that is more common in White women and women 63 years or older.

She opened up about her health via her Facebook page on Dec. 17, 2013, when she posted: “I feel that it is important that I share my story in order to educate and encourage others about this disease and the fight against it… God has given me another role to play and like all my previous roles, I plan to go all in. Only this time I plan to Win!”

Going “all in” included donating her once-worn wardrobe items to raise money for ovarian cancer research as part of Teal Tuesday, running multiple marathons, and developing her writing. LeKae – whose Broadway career includes The Book of Mormon, Ragtime, 110 in the Shade and The Threepenny Opera – had to learn patience and surrender to no longer being in control of her life. Yet, she remained in control of how she would live her life. LeKae continues to be a passionate advocate for women to know their bodies.

Watch Episode 1 “So They Called Me,” also starring Asmeret Ghebremichael and Natasha Y. Williams. Subscribe to her YouTube Channel, The Adventures of Lillian Kate, to catch the rest of the season.

https://youtu.be/mLmpPFcDfjg

The post Valisia LeKae Launches Adventures of Lillian Kate Web Series appeared first on Broadway Black.