Rebecca Naomi Jones Archives - Broadway Black

First Look: All Black Hedwig With Taye Diggs & Rebecca Naomi Jones

Broadway Black — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:01:09 +0000

Hedwig and the Angry Inch has been a Broadway sensation since its revival in 2014. As we previously reported, Taye Diggs (Rent, Chicago) will take over a 12-week run as the titular character, and I could not be more thrilled. This will be the first time we have seen Diggs on the stage since 2005, in A Soldier’s Play. Diggs is the sixth actor to schmear the glitter and strap on the heels, but he is the first African American to take on the genderqueer rock singer.

The press has started to ramp up in anticipation of Diggs’ debut as Broadway’s first black Hedwig. Diggs has handled it all with an air of grace that is only known to him. The press has not been known for their “gentle touch” when it comes to issues of race and sexual orientation but they seem to have put on the kid gloves this time. When Diggs was asked on “Entertainment Tonight” about how his son was reacting to him in this role, he had this to say,

“[Walker] is so damn adjusted. He’s unfazed. I think he’s on the path of being a really cool adult.”

Rebecca Naomi Jones took over the role of Yitzhak in Hedwig in April 2015, as we reported here. She has been the husband to Glee star Darren Criss’ Hedwig but now will be in support of the first Black man to take on the role. The two sat down recently at The Labs Club Restaurant to talk about being the first “chocolate” husband and wife duo for these roles and the flavor they are bringing to these characters.

Taye Diggs will take over the role on July 22, 2015 at the Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St. New York, New York 10036. For ticket information visit Theatremania.com

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Rebecca Naomi Jones Transforms As Yitzhak In Hedwig And The Angry Inch

Broadway Black — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:15:03 +0000

Rebecca Naomi Jones has taken on the part of Yitzhak for Hedwig and the Angry Inch and we could not be more excited to see a brown woman step into this role! I first saw Hedwig in a local production done by Theatre Lab RVA and fell in love with it immediately. The show has been on Broadway since 2014 and each actress that has taken on the role has done something different and exciting. However, there has not been as much press for the women that have taken on playing Yitzhak and that is just a shame.
Jones is an NYC native that has been performing since she was a child. She got her start at the Metropolitan Opera in their children’s chorus and performed in theatre all throughout her secondary education. She received her B.F.A. from N.C. Arts and has toured nationally with both Rent and Caroline or Change. She took on the role of Yitzhak on April 14, 2015 following Lena Hall and Shannon Conley.

Other Broadway credits attributed to Ms. Jones are: American Idiot, Kinky Boots and Passing Strange. Outside of Broadway Jones has appeared in Dracula, Tarzan, 42nd Street, CATS and The Toxic Avenger. On July 22nd you can see Taye Diggs take on the role of Hedwig for a lead cast chock full of actors of color.

Broadway.com did a feature web series following Rebecca and her performances in Hedwig. Not only do we get a backstage look for a Broadway show we get to enjoy Rebecca Naomi Jones’ bubbly and vibrant personality. You can also hear about and watch her get into drag. Spoiler alert: she does wear a prosthetic while she performs. To get to know a little bit of the woman behind the voice and other cast member check out the episodes. Episode one you can watch below!

For ticket information visit www.hedwigonbroadway.com. Plus, you can also follow Rebecca Naomi Jones on Twitter @rebeccasername here.

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Taye Diggs is the Next Lead in Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Broadway Black — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:07:42 +0000

Making his triumphant return to the stage after a decade, Taye Diggs will star as the lead in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, beginning July 22 for a 12 week run at the Belasco Theatre. Diggs, the original Benny the landlord in Rent, will undoubtedly add his own unique flare to the role as the first Black man to play the role in New York. Diggs will be joined by Rebecca Naomi Jones, Broadway’s first Black Yitzak.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of a fictional rock ‘n’ roll band, fronted by internationally ignored song stylist Hedwig, a transgender woman from communist East Berlin. Between rock songs, Hedwig regales the audience with stories about her life, including her botched sex change operation and her relocation to Kansas. The Broadway production of Hedwig, with a book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, opened in April of 2014 with Neil Patrick Harris in the title role, and won Best Musical Revival at the 2014 Tony Awards, the Drama Desk Awards, Drama League Awards, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Previous Hedwigs include John Cameron Mitchell, who wrote the play and originated the role, Neil Patrick Harris, Andrew Rannells, and Michael C. Hall. Hedwig currently stars Darren Criss, perhaps best known for his role on FOX TV’s Glee. Criss departs the show on July 19 and Diggs will begin his stint on July 22.

“Taye is fantastic—he has theater cred, he has pop culture cred, he can sing, he can act, he can dance, he’s smart and he’s sexy,” said lead producer David Binder. “That’s why we cast him.” Diggs’ recent work has included both film and television work, and he is currently in production of season 2 of the TNT crime drama Murder in the First. Diggs last appeared on stage in the 2005 Off-Broadway revival of A Soldier’s Play.

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