Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called "The Dreams", who become music superstars. It was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006.
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
American Idol sensation Fantasia Barrino is featured in a new Chicago Sun-Times article. The star of THE COLOR PURPLE national tour made her Broadway debut with the role.
The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) today announced the complete schedule for the 2009 Festival, which will begin September 28th and continue through October 18th. A full breakdown of this year's performances and venues follows.
Old Globe Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Sammy, a new musical based on the life of Sammy Davis, Jr. with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and additional songs by Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Directed by Keith Glover with choreography by Keith Young and music supervision by Ian Fraser, Sammy will run in the Old Globe Theatre Sept. 19 - Nov. 8. Previews run from Sept. 19 - Oct. 1. Opening night is Oct. 2 at 8:00 p.m.
People's Light & Theatre Company kicks off their 35th Anniversary Season with the American Premiere of NATHAN THE WISE translated by Edward Kemp from the play by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. NATHAN THE WISE runs from September 16 - October 11, 2009, on the Main Stage. Artistic Director Abigail Adams directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern.
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie, after a 48 year absence, as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) beginning Thursday, September 10th, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. This will be a limited engagement through January 10th, 2010.
Full casting was announced today for MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, opening Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Previews begin on Wednesday, September 23, 2009.
The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center today announces several additions to the creative team for Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure. According to producer Judith Lisi, president and CEO of TBPAC, Marguerite Derricks will choreograph the production and Ron Melrose will serve as music supervisor and provide vocal and dance arrangements as well as incidental music. Susan Hilferty, Neil Patel and Paul Gallo will design the costumes, sets and lights respectively, while Jon Weston will design the sound and Sven Ortel will design video and projections.
Richard Blackwood, Derek Griffiths and Nina Sosanya will join the previously announced Sanaa Lathan, Adrian Lester, Phylicia Rashad and James Earl Jones in Debbie Allen's sell-out Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Produced by Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones for Front Row Productions, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof will run at the Novello Theatre from 21 November to 10 April 2010, with press night on 1 December.
Richard Blackwood joins the cast at the Novello
Due to scheduling requirements in future markets, THE COLOR PURPLE is reducing the Chicago return engagement by eight performances. Theater-goers will be able to see American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino reprise her starring role of Celie at The Arie Crown Theater for one week only, September 2 - 6, 2009.
Five-time Grammy-winner Faith Hill makes her Hollywood Bowl debut with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and fellow Grammy-winner, conductor David Campbell, for a special evening of music from the iconic performer?s multi-platinum recording career, Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 p.m. The first half of the concert, performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (HBO), features an unexpected mix of movie scores and other eclectic selections chosen by Campbell and Hill. No strangers to each other, Hill and Campbell?s previous collaborations include her 2002 release, Cry, Christmas CD, Joy to the World, and Hill?s recording of the Oscar-nominated ?There You?ll Be,? from the Pearl Harbor soundtrack, arranged and conducted by Campbell. For the second half of the concert, Hill joins the orchestra to delight the audience with some of her best-loved No. 1 hits from her multi-platinum career, including ?Breathe,? ?This Kiss,? ?The Way You Love Me,? ?Cry? and ?Piece of My Heart.?
After a 48 year absence, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) beginning Thursday, September 10th, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. This will be a limited engagement through January 10th, 2010.
Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced two special additions to its 2009/10 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season-The Wizard of Oz, a new stage production celebrating the timeless 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland, and CATS, the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic
Five-time Grammy-winner Faith Hill makes her Hollywood Bowl debut with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and fellow Grammy-winner, conductor David Campbell, for a special evening of music from the iconic performer?s multi-platinum recording career, Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 p.m. The first half of the concert, performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (HBO), features an unexpected mix of movie scores and other eclectic selections chosen by Campbell and Hill. No strangers to each other, Hill and Campbell?s previous collaborations include her 2002 release, Cry, Christmas CD, Joy to the World, and Hill?s recording of the Oscar-nominated ?There You?ll Be,? from the Pearl Harbor soundtrack, arranged and conducted by Campbell. For the second half of the concert, Hill joins the orchestra to delight the audience with some of her best-loved No. 1 hits from her multi-platinum career, including ?Breathe,? ?This Kiss,? ?The Way You Love Me,? ?Cry? and ?Piece of My Heart.?
The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz will hold two free post-matinee talkbacks and audience Q&A sessions with Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel and members of the company on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, July 1 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).
With 'THE BROADWAY LOCAL', World MasterCard celebrates the creative theatre professionals who bring their talents to the city's Broadway stages and call the Big Apple home.
The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz will hold two free post-matinee talkbacks and audience Q&A sessions with Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel and members of the company on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, July 1 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for the New York premiere of the new musical The Tin Pan Alley Rag, written by Mark Saltzman, with Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin, directed by Stafford Arima.
The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews begin June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.
After a 48 year absence, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will present the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) beginning Thursday, September 10th, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. This will be a limited engagement through January 10th, 2010.
AESCLEPIUS -- the first known play to tell the story of the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing -- featuring an international cast from the acclaimed Great Jones Repertory Company, presented by La MaMa E.T.C., at the La MaMa E.T.C. Annex (66 East 4th Street) in Manhattan.
La MaMa E.T.C. presents Ellen Stewart's world-premiere play AESCULAPIUS -- the first known play to tell the story of the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing -- featuring an international cast from the acclaimed Great Jones Repertory Company at La MaMa E.T.C. Annex (66 East 4th Street) in Manhattan, with previews beginning May 28, prior to an official press opening Sunday, May 31.
Conceived, written, and directed by the legendary Ellen Stewart, AESCULAPIUS tells how the son of sun god Apollo and mortal maiden Coronis transcends to his rightful place in the heavens because of his great work in medicine. It is believed that Aesculapius' story has never before been told on stage.
AESCLEPIUS -- the first known play to tell the story of the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing -- featuring an international cast from the acclaimed Great Jones Repertory Company, presented by La MaMa E.T.C., at the La MaMa E.T.C. Annex (66 East 4th Street) in Manhattan.
Nigel, a brindle-hair Cairn Terrier, will be making his professional stage debut as Toto in the Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti as Dorothy, June 12 - July 5 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues).
1981 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1983 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
1985 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
1987 | Broadway |
Return Engagement [Broadway] Broadway |
1995 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2001 | Broadway |
New York Concert Broadway |
2004 | US Tour |
Touring Revival US Tour |
2005 | Philadelphia, PA (Regional) |
Prince Music Theatre Revival Philadelphia, PA (Regional) |
2009 | US Tour |
Touring Revival US Tour |
2016 | West End |
West End Premiere Production West End |
Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
Videos