Antoine L. Smith News

The complete creative team has been announced for the upcoming musical, MJ, on Broadway.

North Carolina Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming production of Memphis, playing March 24-29, 2020 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. North Carolina Theatre's production will be directed and choreographed by Broadway performer Robert Hartwell, and Eric Woodall is NC Theatre's producing artistic director.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday night, February 6th, Broadway Sessions celebrates Black History Month with an all star line up of Broadway vets.

Preview performances of MJ the Musical will begin on Monday, July 6th, with Opening Night set for Thursday, August 13th at 6:30 p.m., at the Neil Simon Theatre, New York City.

Today's top stories: Sing Street will transfer to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre, Donna Vivino joins the tour of Cats, further casting for MJ the Musical, and more!

Don't stop 'til you get enough! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, MJ the Musical is set to begin Broadway previews this July with Ephraim Sykes playing the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. To get ready to see the iconic star's story and artistry come to the Great White Way, we're getting to know the show's cast members including Sykes, Quentin Earl Darrington, Whitney Bashor, and more. Check it all out!

Lia Vollack Productions and The Michael Jackson Estate announced today the official cast for the upcoming World Premiere of MJ the musical on Broadway. Preview performances will begin on Monday, July 6th, with Opening Night set for Thursday, August 13th at 6:30 p.m., at the Neil Simon Theatre, New York City.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents The On Broadway Dream Connector Showcase. Broadway's Rema Webb (upcoming production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Unmasked, Disney's Hercules, Escape to Margaritaville, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Violet, The Color Purple) has long believed in the power of dreams. She's chased them, caught them, and made them real - challenges and fears be darned. For some time now, she's also been committed to helping young aspiring performers realize the power of their own dreams through her non profit organization.

The Broadway Artists Connection (BAC) presents the 2019 Cabaret Benefit for the Matsiko World Orphan Choir hosted by Broadway's Bronson Norris Murphy (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) on Monday, October 28th at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm).

Vassar & New York Stage and Film have announced additional casting for the highly anticipated 35th Powerhouse Season in Poughkeepsie, NY, which continues through Sunday, July 28.

The Colorado Theatre Guild's 14th Annual Henry Awards will take place Monday, July 22, 2019 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, located at 10075 Commons St. Lone Tree, CO 80124. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and the awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a catered reception at the Lone Tree Arts Center. Tickets are $35 for CTG members, $40 non-members or $50 at the door. Tickets go on sale Tuesday June 18, 2019 at 1:00PM MDT through the Lone Tree Arts Center website at www.LoneTreeArtsCenter.org or by calling the box office at 720-509-1000.

To close out their 2018-2019 season Rochester's Geva Theatre chose a piece with deep historical, musical, and local significance. Revival: The Resurrection of Son House was commissioned by Geva in 2015 and received a staged reading that year at their festival 'Journey to the Son: A Celebration of Son House.' The fully-staged production is now getting its world premiere, and it's the perfect capstone to a season rich with history, diverse voices, and new works.

Geva Theatre Center's 46th Season concludes with the world premiere of Revival: The Resurrection of Son House, written and directed by Keith Glover, with music by Son House, Billy Thompson and Keith Glover, musical direction by Billy Thompson and choreography by Norwood Pennewell, in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from May 1 through June 2, 2019.

Geva Theatre Center's 46th Season concludes with the world premiere of Revival: The Resurrection of Son House, written and directed by Keith Glover, with music by Son House, Billy Thompson and Keith Glover, musical direction by Billy Thompson and choreography by Norwood Pennewell, in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from May 1 through June 2, 2019.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

A private, invitation only industry reading of the new musical Mandela will be held on Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15, 2019. Mandela has music and lyrics by two South African composer/lyricists signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, with a book by Laiona Michelle (Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical). This reading is directed by Schele Williams (Rent, Motown: The Musical), with music direction by Alvin Hough, Jr. (Once On This Island). Fifth Estate Entertainment (Nathan Gehan/Jamison Scott) serves as general manager for the reading. The reading will be attended by Nandi Mandela, Nelson Mandela's granddaughter, on behalf of the Mandela family who have officially partnered with the show.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Broadway Sessions recently held its 3rd annual Black History Month celebration. We invited an all star roster of Broadway talent to share songs and stories reflecting the influence, impact and legacy of black artists on Broadway and beyond. HOLY MOLY! This was one of the most incredible nights of music we have enjoyed. Beyond that it was moving, hilarious and profound. Enjoy these highlights from Broadway vets Antoine  L Smith, Soarer-Joye Ross, Storm Lever, Brennyn Lark, Judith Franklin, Phoenix Best, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Tiana Okoye, Michel Demby Cain, Imari Hardon, Avery Smith, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Quentin Earl Darrington, Jennie Harney Fleming, John Edwards, Laurissa 'Lala' Romain, Shonica Gooden and Emme Kemp. We also enjoyed performances from 'Rising Stars' Richard Baskin Jr. and Aneesa Folds. OH, and maybe just an impromptu pre show performance by Tony-winning legend FAITH PRINCE! It was a good night.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano.  

It's the last week to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Denver Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.