Talent from way back! It’s always a pleasure to take a look at our Broadway Black stars BEFORE we knew they were going to be legends. But, before we say goodbye here is just one more throw back of White singing in  The Life as ‘Sonja’, a role which landed her Broadway’s coveted Prestigious Quadruple Crown; a People’s Choice Award, the Outer Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical!

https://youtu.be/fDkko-fgfHU

We hope you enjoyed our throwback of Lillias White. She is surely Broadway Black Royalty!

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The musical is based on the book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields about Annie Oakley a sharpshooting, poor, country girl and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and her love affair with expert rifleman Frank Butler. Berlin wrote the music and lyrics for the show, which includes the classic tunes “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun,” “I Got Lost in His Arms,” “Anything You Can Do,” and the show’s climatic “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Cooper will play “Pawnee Bill,” owner of the Far East Show and Buffalo Bill’s former partner and current rival. Jack Dabdoud originated the role in the 1966 Broadway production, which starred Ethel Merman as “Annie.”

Since his Broadway debut, Cooper has appeared as an understudy in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Passion, and Getting Away with Murder. In 1997, he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as the pimp “Memphis” in The Life, Cy Coleman’s musical about prostitution in Times Square. He also took over the role of “Billy Flynn” in the 2001 Broadway revival of Chicago. He recently wrapped up a starring role in the musical “Amazing Grace.”

The concerts will be directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, and will feature The Encores! Orchestra led by Encores! music director Rob Berman.

The October 27 concert begins with a 5:30 PM cocktail reception, followed by the 6:30 PM performance. Tickets for both performances can be purchased here.

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The Life probes the depths of 42st Street Time Square, outlawed by flesh-peddlers and prostitutes, junkies and dealers, and runways in the epoch prior to its Disneyfication.

Among the award winning cast were Chuck Cooper, Sam Harris, Pamela Isaacs, Lillias White and Bellamy Young (Mellie from ABC’s Scandal). White and Cooper both won Tony Awards for their performances.

On May 17, 2015, the Broadway supper club “54 Below” located at 254 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019, will be presenting the opportunity to be transported back to a pre-Disney Time Square. When “The Life” returns to the streets of New York featuring members of the original cast such as Bellamy Young with appearances by Felicia Finely and Katy Grenfell. Also featuring Marcus Paul James, Telly Leung, Ciara Renee, and Raena White

In 1997, the beloved Broadway musical The Life transported us back to a pre-Disney Times Square—a much grittier time in NYC where hookers, hustlers, and even young dreamers battled it out in a game of survivor. For one night only, The Life returns to the “Great White Way” featuring members of the Tony-nominated original cast. Hear the fantastic Cy Coleman- Ira Gasman score, including the songs “The Oldest Profession”, “My Body”, “People Magazine”, “My Friend”, and more. Be sure to “check it out!” Musical directed by Jesse Vargas.

Just for old times sake, watch the Tony Award winning performance from Lillias White for her role in The Life; As well as, Bellamy Young from Scandal fame below.

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