Rufus Bonds, Jr. News

When Oklahoma! was first produced on Broadway in 1943 it became the first smash hit for  the newly formed collaborating team Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and was also the first real book musical, preceded only by Showboat. It was a breakthrough musical, which when given a first-class production, is still, some 74 years later, without question, one of the greatest American musicals ever written. 'The Farmer and the Cowman' truly represents the philosophy of what America is all about, a unity and pride that is unmistakable. Oklahoma! is currently onstage in Redondo Beach, directed byT.J. Dawson, artistic director of 3-D Theatricals. He has beautifully succeeded in reimagining Oklahoma! for the 21st century. In the 40s it was not appropriate to portray racism onstage the way it clearly existed. Modern audiences, however, demand that musicals go a giant step further and explore life in all its complexities. I can thruthfully state that this Oklahoma! is quite unlike any production you have ever seen....and that means you should put it at the top of your must-see list. Our country has always been referred to as a melting pot culture. The expression rings in this produciton of Oklahoma! There's Ali Hakim (Drew Boudreau), the traveling pedlar, who sets his eyes on Ado Annie (Kelley Dorney). He is Persian. And in this production Jud Fry is African American (played by Rufus Bonds, Jr.). His hidden affections for Laurey (Julia Aks) are not only difficult for her to accept because of his low class, rough and cruel behavior, but being black in 1906 made you ... intolerable. Casting Fry as black adds a whole other dimension to the story. Fry seems beleaguered by previous war inju

Broadway's Rufus Bonds, Jr. takes over the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha at 5th Avenue Theatre. Bonds was recently seen as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess in London's West End, and was a member of the original Broadway casts of RENT and Parade. This new production is the first of The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2016/17 season and also features Don Darryl Rivera as Sancho and Nova Payton as Aldonza with direction by Allison Narver and choreography by Maria Torres.

Today's big news: The who's who of Broadway take the stage in STRONGER TOGETHER for Hillary Clinton and more!

Broadway's Rufus Bonds, Jr. takes over the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha at 5th Avenue Theatre. Bonds was recently seen as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess in London's West End, and was a member of the original Broadway casts of RENT and Parade. This new production is the first of The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2016/17 season and also features Don Darryl Rivera as Sancho and Nova Payton as Aldonza with direction by Allison Narver and choreography by Maria Torres.

Broadway's Rufus Bonds, Jr. takes over the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha at 5th Avenue Theatre. Bonds was recently seen as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess in London's West End, and was a member of the original Broadway casts of RENT and Parade. This new production is the first of The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2016/17 season and also features Don Darryl Rivera as Sancho and Nova Payton as Aldonza with direction by Allison Narver and choreography by Maria Torres.

This weekend's big news: Roundabout Underground's KINGDOM COME brings online dating to the stage tonight, Lisa Lampanelli's STUFFED premieres this evening Off-Broadway, and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES begins on Broadway this Saturday!

Broadway's Rufus Bonds, Jr. will be tilting at windmills on The 5th Avenue Theatre stage when he takes over the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha. Bonds was recently seen as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess in London's West End, and was a member of the original Broadway casts of RENT and Parade.

Broadway's Rufus Bonds, Jr. will be tilting at windmills on The 5th Avenue Theatre stage when he takes over the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha. Bonds was recently seen as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess in London's West End, and was a member of the original Broadway casts of RENT and Parade. This new production is the first of The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2016/17 season and also features Don Darryl Rivera as Sancho and Nova Payton as Aldonza with direction by Allison Narver and choreography by Maria Torres.

Broadway's Rufus Bonds, Jr. will be tilting at windmills on The 5th Avenue Theatre stage when he takes over the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha. Bonds was recently seen as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess in London's West End, and was a member of the original Broadway casts of RENT and Parade.

Hallelujah! Raise your voice to celebrate the opening of Moonlight Stage Productions' 36th Season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with the San Diego Regional Premiere of "Sister Act" from June 15, 2016 to July 2, 2016 at 8 p.m. The comedic Broadway production, produced by Whoopi Goldberg who also starred in the original hit movie, received five Tony Award nominations in 2011 earning rousing critical and public acclaim. Tickets are $23 to $55 for all reserved seating, and $8 to $20 for general admission lawn seating. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast; check it out below!

OC's award-winning regional theater company 3-D Theatricals' latest effort is a remarkably admirable, visually-stunning iteration of Disney's TARZAN® THE MUSICAL that defiantly dazzles and entertains despite the inherent, unavoidable shortcomings of its licensed source material (a problematic book and mostly forgettable score). Thanks to the incredible combined efforts of the show's creative team of brilliant theatrical artisans, its richly striking orchestra, and its top-notch, super-talented ensemble cast (led by Devin Archer and Daebreon Poiema), this ultimately winning local production has certainly earned all its well-deserved cheers. Under the showmanship-style guidance of director Rufus Bonds Jr., 3DT's vividly colorful TARZAN manages to rise (at times literally) high above the original show's weak plotting, Hwang's sometimes stale dialogue, and Collins' run-of-the-mill lyrics... and triumphantly emerge as a wonder-filled, visually-stunning treat for all ages.

Independent singer-songwriter Kevin J . Watson ( performing as KEV ) is creating digital uproar with the soulful, soaring vocals behind his controversial debut single, an anthem for love he calls it, entitled, “Mermaid Soul.' Within hours it has been posted across the internet from websites, Powerful Meditations to Collective Consciousness.

Timothy Sheader's critically acclaimed production of Porgy and Bess which ends its strictly limited run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre on 23 August, draws on talent from both sides of the Atlantic, Rufus Bonds Jr plays Porgy and Nicola Hughes plays Bess, with Phillip Boykin as Crown, Cedric Neal as Sportin' Life and Olivier Award-winning Sharon D Clarke as Mariah. Check out highlights from the production below!

Last night, Monday 28 July, was the Opening Night of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess which runs at Regents Park Open Air Theatre until 23 August. After the show, cast, creative team and invited guests enjoyed a summer drink of Canard Duchene Champagne on the lawn of Regents Park Open Air Theatre, accompanied by Belly Pork Croquettes with Roasted Corn Cream and Lemon Cone Trees. Check out the photos below!

Celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre with iconic songs including 'Summertime', 'I Got Plenty of Nothing', 'I Loves You Porgy' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', Porgy and Bess will be directed by Regents Park Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray. Check out a first look at the production below!

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has confirmed lead casting for Hobson's Choice and the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Mark Benton will play Henry Hobson in Hobson's Choice, with Jodie McNee as his daughter Maggie. Rufus Bonds Jr and Nicola Hughes play the title roles in Porgy and Bess with Phillip Boykin re-creating his Tony Award nominated performance as Crown, and Sharon D Clarke as Mariah.

San Diego Musical Theatre announces Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical Show, (press opening on Saturday, September 28) at the Birch North Park Theatre. The outrageously prodigious comic and musical soul of 1930's Harlem lives on in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway's best. Check out the cast below!

Actors Kimberly Elise and Anthony Anderson hosted the 18th annual NAACP Theatre Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on June 30.

Review of The Color Purple at the Kimmel Center.

Casting announced for the Atlanta date of 'The Color Purple' National Tour.