Renn Woods
Latest News on Renn Woods:
Renn Woods Leads GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER at Ruskin Theater (Jun 17, 2022)
BWW Interview: GUESS WHO Director Lita Gaithers Owens' Bringing To DINNER (Jun 14, 2022)
'Steppin Forward Virtually to Celebrate the Music of the Legendary Neil Sedaka' Will Stream Again on September 7 (Sep 2, 2020)
Renn Woods Leads GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER at Ruskin Theater (Jun 17, 2022)
BWW Interview: GUESS WHO Director Lita Gaithers Owens' Bringing To DINNER (Jun 14, 2022)
'Steppin Forward Virtually to Celebrate the Music of the Legendary Neil Sedaka' Will Stream Again on September 7 (Sep 2, 2020)
Renn Woods BIO
Renn Woods is a legendary icon in stage, TV and film, an amazing vocalist and talented emerging playwright. As a child star and teenage heartthrob, Renn is best known for her roles as Fanta in the Emmy Award winning TV mini-series Roots. Her unforgettable interpretation of “Aquarius” in Milos Foreman’s movie musical Hair is an official classic.
As Dorothy in the first national Broadway tour of The Wiz, her performance was hailed by the critics as a new musical theatre standard for the young performer. She returned in 2006 to that very same theatre (The Ahmanson) in Los Angeles, to the same kind of reception, in Caroline or Change (the role of “The Moon”). Renn’s own musical, “Sold’ Renn Woods in Concert, has continued to earn her respect as a published playwright. The Kennedy Center’s KCATF Program chose her play as one of 18 plays (out of 2,000 reviewed) to be developed. It began as a one woman show in the Juneteenth Festival and was quickly produced at the Music Center under Gordon Davidson’s tenure.
As a song writer and lyricist, Renn was asked to write a song for the late Robert Altman when he was honored by The Malibu Celebration of Film with The Courage Award. She called it “Ode To Altman” and performed it for him and 150 guests at the Magic Castle 2006. She was chosen by Bob Iger CEO of Disney as the vocalist for the prestigious Legends Awards Ceremony, inducting Sir Elton John. Renn began singing at the age of six. By age ten, she and two girlfriends had taken the show business world by storm, as their group, Sunday’s Child, was adored by such celebrities as Bill Cosby, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Johnny Carson.
They toured the world, performing the very last tour of duty with Bob Hope in Vietnam. Oscar winning director Robert Zemeckis chose to include a photograph of that Christmas performance with Renn and Mr. Hope in his beloved Forest Gump, grossing 329 million and counting.
Other film credits include: Crazy World, Walker, Juvie, Nine to Five (with Jane Fonda), Jumpin’ Jack Flash (with Whoopi Goldberg), The Jerk, A Perfect Couple, Marshal Law, Xanadu, The Brother From Another Planet, Hair, Car Wash, Youngblood, Beer, Sparkle, and Forrest Gump (TV clip with Bob Hope).
Renn’s TV credits include starring roles in Detention: The Siege At Johnson High (ABC movie of the week), a series regular or recurring roles in Beauty and the Beast, We’ve Got Each Other, Roc, Gabriel’s Fire, Relativity, Comedy Rush; guest starring roles in N.Y.P.D. Blue, That’s Life, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, High Incident, Monsters.
She is currently recording her third CD as song writer and solo vocalist.
Renn Woods Photos
Renn Woods News
Renn Woods Leads GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER at Ruskin Theater
Stage, television, and film veteran Renn Woods will play Mary Prentice in the Ruskin Theater’s new live production of the Stanley Kramer’s groundbreaking classic 1967 film “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”, in honor of her friend and legend Sidney Portier, who played John Prentice.
BWW Interview: GUESS WHO Director Lita Gaithers Owens' Bringing To DINNER
Already opened at the Ruskin Group Theatre, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner through July 17, 2022. Lita Gaithers Owens directs the cast of Paul Denk, Lee Garlington, Brad Greenquist, Dan Martin , Mary Pumper, Vickilyn Reynolds, Mouchette van Helsdingen, Vincent Washington and Renn Woods.
Lita managed to make some time to answer a few of my inquiries.
'Steppin Forward Virtually to Celebrate the Music of the Legendary Neil Sedaka' Will Stream Again on September 7
To continue to help lift spirits during these turbulent times, while providing a lively musical event, Step Forward Entertainment is producing a special virtual concert celebrating the music of the legendary artist, Neil Sedaka to benefit The Actors Fund Covid-19 Relief efforts.
Streaming of Virtual Concert Celebrating the Music of Neil Sedaka Extended
Due to popular demand, Step Forward Entertainment has announced that 'Steppin' Forward Virtually to Celebrate the Music of the Legendary Neil Sedaka' is extended through July 6, 2020. The virtual concert, designed to promote goodwill during the pandemic lockdown, celebrates the music of the legendary artist, Neil Sedaka to benefit The Actors Fund.
Step Forward Entertainment Celebrates the Music of Neil Sedaka With Virtual Concert to Benefit The Actors Fund
To help lift spirits during the worldwide lockdown while providing a lively musical event, Step Forward Entertainment is producing a special virtual concert celebrating the music of the legendary artist, Neil Sedaka to benefit The Actors Fund Covid-19 Relief efforts.
Rubicon Theatre Company Announces Extension Of BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Rubicon Theatre Company has just extended the company's acclaimed, sold-out production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which now continues through November 17, 2019. Directed by Kirby Ward, with a company of 24, the production runs Wednesdays through Sundays in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District at the company's home at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
BWW Review: BIG RIVER at Rubicon Theatre Company
An innovative immersive production, in which orchestra musicians step on stage to perform with the cast and an in-the-round configuration, highlights Rubicon Theatre Company's evocative, atmospheric production of 'Big River.' With a score by country music's Roger Miller, 'Big River' won 7 Tonys in 1985. The cast features Broadway veterans Josey Montana McCoy, David Aron Damane, and, in a special appearance, Renn Woods as Alice.
Photo Flash: First Look at Rubicon Theatre's BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Rubicon Theatre opens the company's 22nd Season with an environmental production of the musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, opening October 26 at 7pm and continuing through November 10, 2019. Directed by Kirby Ward, with a company of 23, the production runs Wednesdays through Sundays in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District at the company's home at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
Rubicon Opens 22nd Season With Immersive BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Rubicon Theatre opens the company's 22nd Season with an environmental production of the musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, opening October 26 at 7pm and continuing through November 10, 2019. Directed by Kirby Ward, with a company of 23, the production runs Wednesdays through Sundays in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District at the company's home at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
Chita Rivera, Jim Dale, Lee Roy Reams and More Set for WINTER RHYTHMS 2017, Starting Tonight at Urban Stages
Urban Stages presents this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2017, which begins tonight, December 12, featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).
Stephen Hanks to Produce & Host WINTER RHYTHMS Shows at Urban Stages
Cabaret Producer, Promoter, and Performer Stephen Hanks has been chosen by Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and Director of Musical Theatre Peter Napolitano to Produce and Host the Opening and Closing Night Gala Shows for the organization's Ninth Annual WINTER RHYTHMS SERIES, running this year from December 12 through December 23 at the Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues).
Chita Rivera, Jim Dale, Lee Roy Reams and More Set for WINTER RHYTHMS 2017 at Urban Stages
Urban Stages announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2017, which will begin Tuesday, December 12 and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).
Renn Woods' Musical SOLD: RENN WOODS IN CONCERT Makes Industry Debut at Shelter Studios, 10/20
Former child star and teenage heartthrob actress/singer Renn Woods, best known for her roles as Fanta in the Emmy Award winning TV mini-series Roots, her unforgettable interpretation of "Aquarius" in Milos Forman's movie musical Hair, and as Dorothy in the first national tour of the Broadway musical hit The Wiz, has written a new stage musical, titled Sold: Renn Woods In Concert (A Play in Rhythm and Blues) adapted from her successful autobiographical one-woman show, A Diva Like Me. Musical selections from the first act of the new show will be presented for an invitation-only audience of theatre industry executives on Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 PM in PH1 Studio at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor (and short stairway to Penthouse 1).
Challenging Musical 'Caroline, Or Change' At Center Stage
E. Faye Butler's Performance as Caroline Gets National Attention
Challenging Musical 'Caroline, Or Change' At Center Stage
E. Faye Butler's Performance as Caroline Gets National Attention
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