Say what?! 

That’s right, this year, creator and producer Marq Moss of Glitterati Entertainment Group and actor in Motown The Musical has decided to combine four of the HOTTEST shows on Broadway into one joyful celebration. The ‘Grinch’-inspired party replaces “Whoville” with “Broadville” and will feature Moss, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, a co-producer of the event and an actor from Motown the Musical, Patrice Covington from The Color Purple, Marja Harmon from The Book of Mormon, Christian Dante White from Shuffle Along and Jelani Remy from The Lion King as hosts. Glitterati’s How The Purple Mormon Stole The Shuffled Lion is sure to be a spectacular event! Understand the party title now?

This party also has a purpose and the goal is simple:

In an effort to always stay connected with the community, which has given so much to all of us, PMSL will serve as a much-needed opportunity to be altruistic.  As we all know, so many are affected by the blistering winters of NYC.  Some are homeless.  Some are just dealing with the, often harsh, realities that come with residing in one of the most expensive cities in the US.  While it’s sometimes easy to forget the less fortunate, the truth of the matter is, it could be any one of us.  As such, we are encouraging guests to donate a warm, useable item of clothing at the door.

The group suggests bringing items like hats, gloves, scarves and coats. Music for the event will be provided by DJ Taela Naomi and the dress code is your own unique blend of fresh and fly! The party will be held on December 14 at Angel of Harlem, “one of New York’s newest and trendiest establishments.” For more details on how you can attend Glitterati’s How The Purple Mormon Stole The Shuffled Lion  photo-op laden, festive, party with a purpose… check out the website here!

The post Get Your Holiday Purple Mormon Shuffled Lion On! appeared first on Broadway Black.

We at Broadway Black have kept you in the loop chronicling every tweet, every article, every interview, every post surrounding the highly anticipated arrival, and now the opportunity to experience what I predict can only be described as “getting your ENTIRE life” is now upon us.

John Doyle’s “stripped down” adaptation of the 2005 Tony nominated piece cuts approximately 30 minutes of material from the original Broadway production.  Even so, breathtaking sneak peeks and coverage of the rehearsal process would indicate that this brilliant cast will deliver everything we need.

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and Oscar-nominated film, 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.

According to press notes, “with a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.”

Joining Erivo as “Celie,” Brooks as “Sophia” and Hudson as “Shug Avery,” are Isaiah Johnson as “Mister,” Joaquina Kalukango as “Nettie,” and Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo.” Rounding off the ensemble are Dwayne Clark (Spiderman), Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing), Carrie Compere (Holler If Ya Hear Me), Bre Jackson (Book of Mormon), Grasan Kingsberry (The Color Purple original 2005 cast), Kevyn Morrow (A Chorus Line), Ken Robinson (Memphis), Antoine L. Smith (Memphis) and Rema Webb (The Lion King).  Phoenix Best, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Carla R. Stewart and Akron Watson will all also be making their Broadway debuts.

We’ve got our tickets HERE! Make sure to get them NOW!

The post The Color Purple Begins Previews Marking JHud Broadway Debut appeared first on Broadway Black.

Filmed on Oct. 6 and set to the musical’s title song, touching video footage of the first rehearsal for the revival of The Color Purple shows most of the cast, crew and creative team meeting each other for the very first time.  Still, as they greet each other with soft smiles and warm hugs, the viewer can’t help but get a sense of union; that this is already a family.

Joaquina Kalukango, who will take on the role of Celie’s beloved sister Nettie, shared her take on the thrilling new opportunity: “To be in a room with such great people and great friends and to take on this new telling of the story is very exciting!”

Now two weeks into rehearsal, all signs indicate that the team is having the time of their lives!  Stars Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks seem to have become fast friends, posting several pictures on Instagram of their many selfies, shopping trips and dinner dates.  Just last week, icon and show producer Oprah Winfrey surprised the cast by showing up at the studio for an impromptu sing-a-long.

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 as it makes its way to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

As previously announced, joining Kalukango are Erivo as “Celie,” Brooks as “Sophia,” Hudson as “Shug Avery,” Isaiah Johnson as “Mister,” and Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo.” Rounding out the ensemble are Phoenix Best, Dwayne Clark, Lawrence Clayton, Carrie Compere, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow, Ken Robinson, Antoine L. Smith, Carla R. Stewart, Akron Watson and Rema Webb. 

After hearing the cast together for the first time, show composers Stephen Bray and Brenda Russell and librettist Marsha Norman beamed like proud parents.

“Listening to amazing vocalists sing the music…it’s a joyful noise, right?” Bray looked to his colleagues before confirming with a smile, “it’s a joyful noise.”

Tickets for The Color Purple are available HERE.

The post WATCH: Look into the First Rehearsal of The Color Purple appeared first on Broadway Black.

Joining them in the middle of rehearsal, Winfrey greeted stars Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks before joyfully joining the beaming cast to sing the title song around the piano.  Once the song was over, the group instantly erupted in cheers and applause, having professionally waited to finish singing before giving in to their fandom. Watch the clips HERE:

@oprah just surprised our cast at #rehearsal! #OWN #Broadway #Theater #TheColorPurple

A video posted by The Color Purple (@bwaycolorpurple) on Oct 15, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

@Oprah joins in on the song! #OWN #TheColorPurple #Theater #Broadway @daniebb3 @iamjhud @cynthiaerivo A video posted by The Color Purple (@bwaycolorpurple) on Oct 15, 2015 at 12:35pm PDT

Cheers erupt as our cast finishing rehearsing with @oprah. #OWN #Broadway #TheColorPurple #Oprah #Theater

A video posted by The Color Purple (@bwaycolorpurple) on Oct 15, 2015 at 1:59pm PDT

Unexpected blessings!! @bwaycolorpurple Mother O!

A photo posted by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Oct 16, 2015 at 9:31am PDT

“The Color Purple has long been a part of my life. From the first time I read it over 20 years ago until now, I’ve always wanted as many people as possible to experience this story.” – Oprah

The company is merely a month away from previews with opening night set for December 10.  Following rave reviews in London, American fans of the original production are eager to experience director John Doyle’s stripped down revival of The Color Purple as it makes its way to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Joining Erivo as “Celie” and Brooks as “Sophia” are previously announced Jennifer Hudson as “Shug Avery,” Isaiah Johnson as “Mister,” Joaquina Kalukango as “Nettie,” and Kyle Scatliffe as “Harpo.” Rounding out the ensemble are Phoenix Best, Dwayne Clark, Lawrence Clayton, Carrie Compere, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow, Ken Robinson, Antoine L. Smith, Carla R. Stewart, Akron Watson and Rema Webb. 

Visit our partner TiqIQ to purchase tickets.

 

Sing, Mama O! @bwaycolorpurple! @oprah in rehearsals! #WeAreBroadwayBlack

 

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:24pm PDT

The post Oprah Surprises Cast of The Color Purple In Rehearsal 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.