Brian MacDevitt News

Forgive me if it has become too old a cliché, and perhaps even an unintentional racial stereotype, to point out the enrapturing musicality of language the late August Wilson displayed in his landmark decade-by-decade cycle of plays about African-American experiences in the 20th Century. That trait is especially evident in pieces set in the earlier decades (i.e. Gem of the Ocean, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and seems to decrease as the years go on, demonstrating an assimilation into the established (Eurocentric) culture of the country.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

RACE, the new play written and directed by David Mamet will make its world premiere at the ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE (located at 243 West 47th St.) beginning on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 with the official opening night on Thursday, December 6, 2009. Rehearsals are set to begin on Monday, October 19, 2009.

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Lighting Design of a Play'

David Hyde Pierce, who is currently appearing in Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway production of ACCENT ON YOUTH at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street), will be a featured guest on WOR Radio's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6 from 11:00AM - 11:30AM. WOR is found at 710am.

ACCENT ON YOUTH's David Hyde Pierce and director Daniel Sullivan, were featured in the Arts & Leisure section of yesterday's New York Times. To read the full story, written by Matthew Gurewitsch, click here. In addition, Pierce is featured on the New York Times website. To hear the 'Audio Slideshow' produced by Erik Piepenburg, click here.

Nominations in 27 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced today by Tony Award Winners Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

The Kennedy Center today announced a one week and final extension for the touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE. The musical will now run in the Opera House June 30 through August 9, 2009. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, Fantasia Barrino reprises her critically acclaimed role as Celie in the Kennedy Center performances of THE COLOR PURPLE.

The Manhattan Theatre Clubproduction of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrated Opening Night yesterday evening Wednesday, April 29th. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for the swanky curtain call and after party celebration.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrated Opening Night yesterday evening Wednesday, April 29th. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for the celebrity filled arrivals.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrates Opening Night this evening Wednesday, April 29th.

The Color Purple will return to Houston and play a limited one week engagement at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts, August 18 - 23, 2009. The return engagement was booked in response to the challenges brought on by Hurricane Ike, which caused the cancellation of a full week of sold out performances.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) is proud to present Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH to be directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (Rabbit Hole, Sight Unseen, Proof). BroadwayWorld.com brings you these video highlights from the production which features Lisa Banes (High Society, Arcadia), Rosie Benton(Saturn Returns, Les Liaisons Dangereuses), David Furr (Cymbeline, Evening), Mary Catherine Garrison (Top Girls, Rabbit Hole), Byron Jennings (Is He Dead?, Sight Unseen), Tony nominee Charles Kimbrough and Tony and Emmy winner David Hyde Pierce.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Chicago Engagement. Returning to its debut home of Chicago, THE COLOR PURPLE will make its home at The Arie Crown Theater for two weeks, September 2 -13, 2009. Tickets

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Kansas City will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances, April 28-May 3, 2009. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Music Hall Box Office and at participating Ticketmaster outlets (800-982-2787) or online at ticketmaster.com.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Charlotte will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for eight performances, May 19-24. Tickets are on sale now and are available online at BlumenthalCenter.org, by phone at 704-372-1000 and at the Belk Theater box office.

DETAILS.com has a new interview with Broadway favorite David Hyde Pierce. The Tony award winning actor sounds off on acting, aging, and his appearance in Manhattan Theatre Club's ACCENT ON YOUTH.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Dayton will host the North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE, April 21 - 26 at the Schuster Center, as part of Victoria Theatre Association's Chase Broadway Series.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Kansas City will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances, April 28-May 3, 2009. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Music Hall Box Office and at participating Ticketmaster outlets (800-982-2787) or online at ticketmaster.com.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, directed by Bartlett Sher, opened on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street) on Thursday, April 16 at 6:45pm. Broadwayworld.com was there to cheer on the cast at the starry after party.