Phylicia Rashad News

Just last night, the American Theatre Wing hosted its annual Gala at The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), honoring legendary actor James Earl Jones. Mr. Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner, two-time Obie Award winner and alumnus of the American Theatre Wing Professional School. CeCe Black, Anki Leeds, and Marva Smalls will serve as Gala Chairs.

The Public Theater presents the American play Eclipsed, written by Danai Gurira. Directed by Obie Award winner Liesl Tommy and featuring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o in her New York stage debut, this powerful story of survival and resilience begins previews at The Public Theater tonight, September 29, and will now run an additional two weeks through Sunday, November 29 with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 14.

The American Theatre Wing hosts its annual Gala tonight, September 28, 2015 at The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), honoring legendary actor James Earl Jones. Mr. Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner, two-time Obie Award winner and alumnus of the American Theatre Wing Professional School. CeCe Black, Anki Leeds, and Marva Smalls will serve as Gala Chairs.

A quick review of the 10 plays Denzel Washington will be producing for HBO.

Last night two-time Tony Award-winner Viola Davis made history as the first African-American to win an Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. She was recognized for her role as the brilliant attorney and professor Annalise Keating on the Shonda Rhimes drama HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. In addition to her Emmy and Tonys, Davis has won three Drama Desks and three SAG Awards. During her acceptance speech, Davis quoted Harriet Tubman and talked about breaking boundaries and redefining what Hollywood thinks of as beautiful.

The Public Theater announced a final extension today for the new American play ECLIPSED, written by Danai Gurira. Directed by Obie Award winner Liesl Tommy and featuring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o in her New York stage debut, this powerful story of survival and resilience begins previews at The Public Theater Tuesday, September 29 and was originally extended through Sunday, November 15. It will now run an additional two weeks through Sunday, November 29 with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 14.

La Jolla Playhouse and Kansas City Repertory Theatre is presenting the world-premiere production of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington, directed by Lucie Tiberghien (Blood and Gifts). Tiberghien replaced Phylicia Rashad, who had to depart the project due to scheduling conflicts. Check out photos from the production below!

UP IN THE AIR, a tribute to dance legend Louis Johnson, will take place Monday, October 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the Peter Norton Theater at Symphony Space located at 2537 Broadway in New York City. The event has two purposes: to honor the life and work of Johnson and to raise funds to complete a feature length documentary about the renowned dancer entitled UP IN THE AIR.

Academy Award and Tony Award-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones, The View's Raven-Symone, and Tony Award-winner and Emmy-nominated actress Phylicia Rashad are set to present on Sunday, September 27 at 6:30pm at the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation's Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala honoring Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen.

Powerful plays and playwrights dominate the Center Theatre Group's 49th season at the Mark Taper Forum. Michael Ritchie, CTG's Artistic Director, announced five important and involving plays, from celebrated new works to definitive productions of classics, for the theatre's 2016 season at the Los Angeles Music Center.

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Jason Dirden who will be playing the role of Canewell in the Two River Theater production of 'Seven Guitars.' Written by August Wilson and directed by Brandon Dirden, the show will be on the Red Bank stage from September 12th to October 4th.

The Public Theater has announced a one-week extension today for the New York premiere of ECLIPSED, written by Danai Gurira. Directed by Obie Award winner Liesl Tommy and featuring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o in her New York stage debut, this powerful story of survival and resilience begins previews at The Public Theater Tuesday, September 29 and was originally scheduled to run through Sunday, November 8. It will now run an additional week through Sunday, November 15 with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 14.

A glimpse at the artistry and talent of E'dena Hines.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for the New York premiere of ECLIPSED, written by Danai Gurira. Directed by Obie Award winner Liesl Tommy and featuring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o in her New York stage debut, this powerful story of survival and resilience begins previews at The Public Theater Tuesday, September 29 and runs through Sunday, November 8, with an official press opening on Wednesday, October 14.

Several original cast members from the iconic Broadway premiere production of THE WIZ convened last night in honor of the show's 40th anniversary in a series of special performances. Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more will joined to celebrate the musical in Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park with a series of special outdoor celebrations featuring song, story and dance titled THE WIZ: A CELEBRATION IN DANCE & MUSIC. Check out photos below!

Ease on down to Central Park this week!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: FringeNYC kicks off today, William Finn's new song cycle debuts in MA, queen 'PRISCILLA' heads out on tour in the UK and more!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Ease on down the road to Central Park for a WIZ reunion!

DEE DEE'S FEATHERS, a journey through the history of New Orleans as told through song and the collaboration of Tony winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, Irvin Mayfield & The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), is set for release August 11th, 2015, via OKeh/Sony Music/DDB Records. Click below to watch THE WIZ original cast member record the folk song 'House of the Rising Sun' for the new album!

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are two of the most renowned producers working in the industry today. They are best known for their work on the past three Academy Awards ceremonies, The Sound of Music Live!, Peter Pan Live! and Smash. Their Broadway credits include Promises, Promises and How to Succeed in Buisness Without Really Trying. Film credits include Hairspray, Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun and Footloose. Upcoming projects include The Wiz Live!, the movie adaptation of Pippin and much more.