Photo Courtesy of thoughtsofacoloredman.com

The play will be directed by Steve H. Broadnax III and produced by Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Samira Wiley, Diana DiMenna, and Scott himself. The play will be making history as one of the few productions on Broadway to be written by a Black man, directed by a Black man, produced by a predominately Black team, and focusing on the narratives of the Black male experience. The event will feature a panel of the creative team reading excerpts that “will share their personal narratives, what has inspired them, and how they hope to inspire others through Thoughts of a Colored Man. 

Words to dream by, from the playwright. pic.twitter.com/JvM6CDdQvW

— Thoughts Of A Colored Man (@coloredmanplay) November 24, 2020

The play, which fuses the artistic mediums of spoken word, slam poetry, and rhythm, intertwine to present a new voice in American theater. The “thoughts of a colored man” are told over the course of a single day, where seven men vulnerably retell their own stories and echo the sentiments of their friends and brothers beyond the traditional settings of basketball courts and barbershops that typically represent the Black male aesthetic. BPRS – NY President and CEO, Tracey Wood Mendelsohn said, “The lens of ‘Black Inspiration’ allows us to explore all aspects of our historic and ongoing role in contributing to society, and there is no better place to start than the arts.”

Photo Courtesy of thoughtsofacoloredman.com

The program will take place on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm EST. To RSVP for this free event, please go HERE

Thoughts of a Colored Man is slated for the 2021-2022 Broadway season. To learn more about the production and any updates, please visit thoughtsofacoloredman.com.

The post Broadway-bound <em>Thoughts of a Colored Man</em> Attracts Audiences with “Black Inspiration” Dialogue Series appeared first on Broadway Black.

Based upon the campaign, audiences are excited to see the show on the Great White Way. With over 300 backers, the Kickstarter campaign easily surpassed its original goal of $40,000. Supporters had the option of pledging $25 to be personally thanked on the www.FabulousSylvester.com web site and receive a Mighty Real magnet to pledging $7,500 or more for a package that included a personal phone call from creators Wayne, Kendrell Bowman, and co-producer Ralph, and an invitation to an exclusive private performance of MIGHTY REAL with the creators, Ralph, and André Leon Talley.

According to the production’s web site, Mighty Real tells the “life story of Sylvester through HIS music and HIS point of view. Beyond all the trials, tribulations, glitz and glamour of his lifestyle, he was a symbol for being FABULOUS, but, also, a symbol for unapologetically being who he was.” In addition to Wayne, the cast includes Anastacia McCleskey as “Izora” and Jacqueline B. Arnold as “Martha,” Sylvester’s equally talented background singers collectively known as “Two Tons of Fun.”

No previews or opening dates have been set, yet. But, you can count on Broadway Black to be the first to let you know.

The post Mighty Real Is Headed to Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.

Sonia Friedman Productions has acquired the rights to a full West End production of the musical and it is rumored that Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin) will direct. The musical’s planning is still in the early stages and no venue has been mentioned, but it’s believed that it will go to London towards the end of 2016 or beginning of 2017. A London premiere in 2016, would mark the 35^th Anniversary of the musical.

Casting also hasn’t been announced, but open singer auditions were held in May for “black and mixed race performers with strong soul/pop voices for the lead roles of Effie White, Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson, Curtis Taylor Jr., Jimmy Early and C.C. White.”

The musical, which features music by Henry Krieger and a book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, tells the story of a singing trio of black divas, “The Dreams,” and their rise to stardom in the 60’s. The trio is eventually torn apart by another predictable trio of fame, fortune, and men. The original Broadway production opened on December 20, 1981 and closed on August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The cast starred Sheryl Lee Ralph as “Deena Jones,” Jennifer Holliday as “Effie White,” Loretta Devine as “Lorrell Robinson,” Ben Harney as “Curtis Taylor, Jr.,” Cleavant Derricks as “James “Thunder” Early,” and Obba Babatundé as “C. C. White.”

In addition to Beyoncé as “Deena” and Hudson as “Effie,” the 2006 hit movie had plenty of star power with Jamie Fox as “Curtis,” Eddie Murphy as “Jimmie,” Anika Noni Rose as “Lorrell,” and Danny Glover as “Marty.” Original Dreamgirl, Loretta Devine also made a cameo appearance as a jazz singer.

Sonia Friedman Productions is a West End and Broadway production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and on Broadway over the past few years. Since 1990, the company has developed, initiated, and produced over 135 new productions, including Much Ado About Nothing, Jerusalem, The Book of Mormon, Legally Blonde the Musical, Betrayal, Arcadia, The Mountaintop, The Children’s Hour and All My Sons.

The post Dreamgirls May Debut In The West End For 35th Anniversary appeared first on Broadway Black.

The all-star line-up features Faith Evans , Angela Winbush, Meli’sa Morgan , Monifah , Candace Benson, runner-up on season 7 of BET Sunday Best and Urban Guerilla Orchestra. Perhaps best known as the original “Deena Jones” in Dreamgirls on Broadway, Ms. Ralph earned a Tony nomination and won a Drama Desk award for her star-making effort. In 1990, the actor turned activist and chartered the 501c3 Driving Infectious Viruses Away or DIVA Foundation.

The actress, producer and singer, turned best-selling author with her 2012 book, Redefining Diva, which took on a additional meaning as DIVA has become known as Divinely Inspired Victoriously Anointed. The foundation appears to evolve in the same dynamic way its founder can reinvent herself.

Reinvention is one of several talents that come easy for a woman of equal parts style and substance. Ms. Ralph graduated college while still in her teens and has earned a doctorate in connection with the work she’s done in honor of those she has lost to AIDS. Divas Simply Singing, the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the nation, will feature HIV screenings and testimonies from those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Ralph also performs the one-woman play she wrote and directed, Sometimes I Cry, to tell the story of women impacted by the virus and disease. Ralph is the AIDS Ambassador for Jamaica and the recipient of the United Nations first-ever Red Ribbon award which recognized her unique utilization of the arts as part of her AIDS activism. Tickets for Divas Simply Singing on Saturday, August 22 at the Dell Music Center at 7pm can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

On May 25, Broadway Black met with Sheryl Lee Ralph backstage at Washington DC’s Howard Theatre before the one night only performance of Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, that is being presented in collaboration with Ms. Ralph and her D.I.V.A. Foundation.

The post Sheryl Lee Ralph Keeps Giving Back! 25th Annual Divas Simply Singing Benefit Concert appeared first on Broadway Black.

Created by and starring Broadway’s Anthony Wayne (Pippin, Anything Goes), and co-directed by Kendrell Bowman this dynamic piece follows the life and music of the “Queen of Disco”, Sylvester (You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), Dance (Disco Heat)).

This piece began in NYC as a series of concerts, followed by a limited run Off-Broadway last fall, and has since exploded in DC, Philadelphia and is a 2015 Off-Broadway Alliance Award nominee.

In the midst of the excitement surrounding this production, one must take a moment and realize the importance of an artist like Sylvester. He did something that was tragically just not done in the 1970’s and 80’s mainstream: live true to himself without shame. It is far too easy in this current social climate to miss the necessary courage it took to live as an out, gay, black man. Not that certain struggles with these adjectives are fully resolved, but the importance of pieces like this lies in the fact that it shows the progression of this struggle. It also stands in the face of challenges facing the black and gay communities today. These challenges, while not new, are in a different light in this- the modern age, as they can be easily brought to the forefront of social consciousness with the advent of immediate connection via social media, Internet news outlets, etc. To put it simply: we are visible in a vast and direct way. Art such as Mighty Real not only celebrates this but honors those like Sylvester who paved the way for this type of visibility.

Broadway Black had the pleasure to speak with the production’s lead producer, Sheryl Lee Ralph, this spring. Click her name for full interview.

Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical will play at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on Friday July 31. For tickets and more information, visit www.fabuloussylvester.com

The post Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical in NYC for One Night Only appeared first on Broadway Black.

Touched by Sylvester’s bravery to be open about who he was during a time that wasn’t as accepting, Wayne looked into his music. Together with Bowman, his partner, they worked tirelessly, studying Sylvester’s music and musical influence to bring his life to the stage.

Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical (formerly known as Fabulous, One More Time) began a series of concerts at le poisson rouge in New York City in 2012. It made its Off-Broadway premiere in an acclaimed one-month limited engagement at Theatre at St. Clement’s (423 W. 46th Street) in September 2014. Since then the show has toured all over the country in places like; New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The musical was nominated for a 2015 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical.

Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical is the critically acclaimed musical hit that celebrates the life of the Original 1970’s Disco Queen Sylvester. With songs like “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”, “Can’t Stop Dancing” and “You Are My Friend”, this show tells the life story of Sylvester through HIS music and HIS point of view. Beyond all the trials, tribulations, glitz and glamour of his lifestyle, he was a symbol for being FABULOUS, but, also, a symbol for unapologetically being who he was.

Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical will play a special one-night-only performance in New York City at The Gramercy Theatre (127 East 23rd Street) on Friday, July 31st at 8 PM (doors open at 7PM). Tickets are priced $79.50, $89.50, and $99.50 (limited VIP – priority seating, post-show Meet & Greet and photo with the cast) and are now on sale via TicketMaster by calling 1.800.745.3000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.FabulousSylvester.com.

The post Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical To Be Featured On TV One’s Unsung appeared first on Broadway Black.

Broadway Black {BB}: What is your connection to Sylvester and how did you become a collaborator for Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical?

Sheryl Lee Ralph {SLR}: I’m so excited to be here and doing this show because as a young Dreamgirl on Broadway, I knew Sylvester back in the day. Sylvester was there in all of his fabulosity, loving the show. He was always giving one message: don’t be more fabulous than me! But it was always and only with love so, for me, it was a great thing. We lost Sylvester far too soon and way too early to AIDS. It was very sad. He left New York, he was back in California and it was just a sad, sad loss of an incredible talent.

When I met (co-directors and co-producers) Kendrell (Bowman) and Anthony (Wayne, who also stars as Sylvester), it was a cold morning in Philadelphia. They had their package together with an idea. I took the meeting with my son and at the end he said, “You know, Mom, I really think this is something you should do.” I just followed his direction, we did it and that was almost two years ago. We were just nominated for one of the Best Off Broadway Musicals by the Off Broadway Alliance, along with Hamilton. Hamilton ended up winning, but I feel very strongly that this is not the last stop on the road. We’re really headed toward getting ourselves toward Broadway.

BB: How does Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical coalesce with The D.I.V.A. Foundation that you founded, which focuses on generating resources and coordinating activities to create awareness of and combat against HIV/AIDS?

SLR: I believe in testing. My friends died under stigma, shame and silence in the 80s. When it came to HIV/AIDS, nobody wanted to talk about it. Sylvester spoke out. Sylvester found his voice, had his voice, used his voice. Sylvester in this reincarnation of his life {through the musical}, encourages people to go out, get tested, love themselves, embrace themselves, respect themselves enough to put themselves first. Get tested.

BB: How has Sylvester’s story withstood the test of time?

SLR: Sylvester would want everyone to know how FABULOUS he was and remains in our memory. How much his music is still listened to today. He is still very much alive because his music lives. Long before there were a lot of people that we are looking at now, he was doing those braids, he was doing those beads, he was doing that big hair. Because, you know, the bigger the hair, the closer to God. He really had his finger on the pulse of fashion, of culture. He was always pushing the envelope. Sylvester would have been close to 70 years old today.

BB: You have had a successful career whether on stage, on TV, or in film. What is the secret to your longevity?

SLR: For me it’s all about redefining myself, recreating myself, living my joy. I love being on stage, center stage. But I also really love having my finger on the pulse that keeps that wheel moving forward. I am especially proud and happy any time I can be a part of seeing a more diverse group of faces on Broadway. It is a shame that there is an industry out there in which we are just not given as many chances as we should to be able to work. Too often, when the chances come up, it is from a production that is all of us {an all-Black production} or all about us, that people don’t understand the power of diversity as much as I think they should.

BB: You found success on Broadway as the original Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, for which you were nominated in 1982 for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Tell us about the grueling demands of being on stage.

SLR: In order to be on stage, it must be a project that you absolutely cannot live without doing. You’re dedicating yourself to 6 or 8 performances a week, and that is a lot. No matter what happens, the amount of energy that you put into a show is significant. It’s something that Brandy is learning right now doing Chicago on Broadway, which I’ve got to go and see before it closes. It’s a huge lesson to commit yourself to getting your body, your vocals in order, your head in order, to do what it takes to do a show 6-8 times a week.

BB: After this one-night only show at Washington DC’s Howard Theatre, what’s next for Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical?

SLR: We may do one more city like “HotLanta.” These are what we consider paid, working workshops of the show. We’re using every opportunity to be on the road, to redo the show, to look at those things that really work. We will hold on to those things and then hone and fill out the other spaces where we think the show can grow. Right now we’ve got an incredible 90-minute piece, but we want a piece that can live like Hedwig and the Angry Inch. We want that kind of a show that can win the awards.

BB: What should Broadway Black stars take away from Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical?

SLR: We want people to support us. We want people to talk about us. We want all of those folks out there who have ever thought about or dreamed about becoming a Broadway producer; we want them to bring that money to us. That’s how everybody else does it: they find their circle, their friends, their supporters. That’s what we want to do: find our circle, our friends, our supporters. Find where the money is, so that we can do an incredible show and take it to Broadway.

I really want them to support this show. I want them to know that when they hear Mighty Real, that they are going to have a mighty good time. Everyone that saw the Abba musical, they got up, they stood, they cheered, they danced in the middle of the aisles. This is that kind of show. All to the memory of someone who deserves to be remembered. We need their help. We need people to come out and support theater.

Follow @FabSylvester on Twitter to learn if a performance will be coming to your city. In addition, on August 22, DIVA’s Simply Singing will have its 25^th Annual kick-off at the Dell Music Center in Philadelphia. On October 24 in Los Angeles will be the 25^th Anniversary of the longest running musical AIDS benefit in the country, DIVA’s Simply Singing.

The post Exclusive: Sheryl Lee Ralph Talks Mighty Real appeared first on Broadway Black.

Almost 35 years after its opening at the Imperial Theater on Broadway, audiences will once again be electrified by the dynamic “Dreams” in an all-new production of Dreamgirls that will begin performances at the Beverly, MA venue, North Shore Music Theatre, beginning Tuesday, June 2nd and running through Sunday, June 14.

The post Dreamgirls Opens North Shore Music Theatre Season appeared first on Broadway Black.