Mbongeni Ngema News

BroadwayWorld.com continues our exclusive content series, in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, which delves into the library's unparalleled archives, and resources. Below, check out a piece by Evan Leslie, Artistic Producer for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on Sarafina:

Although the basic outline of the play remains the same, RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS has been revised in the four months that have passed since its premiere. The new script and its associated theatrical production improve on the earlier version of the play.

Mike van Graan's RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS, the penultimate production in Artscape's 2014 Spring Drama Season, is a hard-hitting satire that genuflects to the South African classic WOZA ALBERT!, in which Mbongeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon crafted a tale in which Jesus returns to South Africa during the apartheid era.

Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick presents 'Letters From Zora: In Her Own Words' from October 9th through October 26th. Written by Gabrielle Denise Pina and directed by Anita Dashiell-Sparks, this one-woman show stars Vanessa Bell Calloway.

This year sees the tenth anniversary of Artscape's annual Spring Drama Season, which runs from October to November 2014 featuring four diverse plays and two showcases at the Artscape Arena Theatre. The season forms part of the Artscape's New Writing Programme, which is devoted to the professional writing and production of new South African plays.

Protest theatre should burn fiercely in the darkness that surrounds it; RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS only flickers enough for us to make out what we have already seen.

The theatre industry stepped out in style for the 11th annual Naledi Theatre Awards to applaud and cheer their peers who won against the strongest competition to date in 25 categories.

Legacy Month, a celebration of Crossroads Theatre Company's history and contributions to the American cultural landscape, will continue with Richard Wesley's Playbook, a celebration of the prolific playwright and screenwriter's work with performances, video and testimonials on Sunday, March 2.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre's 44th anniversary will culminate with a special Gala at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (199 Chambers Street) on Sunday evening March 16th. This special event saluting NFT, for over 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be hosted by Danny Glover and Debbi Morgan. Honorary Chairmen are Harry Belafonte and Hon. Mayor David N. Dinkins. The celebration will kick off at 4pm, and feature performances from Daniel Beaty, Impact Repertory Theater (Academy Award Nominee, 'Raise It Up' from the film August Rush), Chuck Jackson, and Valerie Simpson.

This retrospective focuses on revivals of classic South African plays and local productions the work of international playwrights.

Smoke and Mirrors Collaborative, as part of the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival, is pleased to announce the New York premiere production of Zoey Martinson's NDEBELE FUNERAL, directed by Awoye Timpo. NDEBELE FUNERAL will play a limited engagement as part of the New York International Fringe Festival, at Teatro Circulo (64 East 4th Street, NYC), which runs from August 9-25, 2013.

Danny Glover, Lonette McKee, Barbara Montgomery, Daniel Beaty, Roscoe Orman and other veterans of New York theater will address "Can NYC's Theatres of Color Survive in the New Economy?" at the Coalition of Theatres of Color (CTC) Town Hall Meeting tonight, June 4 at 6PM at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (135th St. & Lenox Avenue) in Harlem.

Danny Glover, Lonette McKee, Barbara Montgomery, Daniel Beaty, Roscoe Orman and other veterans of New York theater will address "Can NYC's Theatres of Color Survive in the New Economy?" at the Coalition of Theatres of Color (CTC) Town Hall Meeting on June 4 at 6PM at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (135th St. & Lenox Avenue) in Harlem.

Disneys DER KÖNIG DER LÖWEN ist weit mehr als ein Musical, es ist ein Bühnenkunstwerk, ein kreatives Feuerwerk der Emotionen. Die Ausnahme-Produktion verzaubert mit atemberaubenden Masken, fantastischen Kostümen und unvergesslichen Klängen - einer Mischung aus Popmusik von Sir Elton John und original afrikanischen Rhythmen. Julie Taymor schuf aus dem weltweit erfolgreichsten Disney-Trickfilm ein völlig eigenständiges Bühnenwerk.

Hartford Stage has announced its 2010 SummerStage season and has also released details on productions that will be performed during the company's 2010-2011 season.

Sheila's Day opens at Crossroads Theatre April 16 after a successful performance run at the famed Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Set in Perry County, Alabama, and Soweto Township, Johannesburg, South Africa during the turbulent 1960's, Sheila's Day is an exhilarating musical celebration of the human spirit

The 20th anniversary landmark production of Sheila's Day--a rousing musical celebration of the human spirit--opens on March 12th at the famed Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Crossroads Theatre Company production is presented in association with The State Theatre of Pretoria and The Market Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa. The cast and creative team have been in residence at the Market Theatre since mid-February rehearsing the play written by Award-winning playwright Duma Ndlovu. This historic production of Sheila's Day returns to open at Crossroads Theatre on April 16.

South African Trumpeter Hugh Masekela, who was nominated for a TONY in 1988 for the score of Sarifina!, will headline The Tanglewood Jazz Festival on August 31st