Deborah Joy

Video: ANGRY, RAUCOUS, AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS In Rehearsal at Geffen Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2026

Geffen Playhouse has released a new rehearsal video for Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous, the new comedy by acclaimed playwright Pearl Cleage. Directed by Tony Award nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson.

Full Cast Set For ANGRY, RAUCOUS, AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS At Geffen Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026

Geffen Playhouse announced the cast for Pearl Cleage's ANGRY, RAUCOUS, AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS, directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, featuring Michele Shay, Olivia Washington, Deborah Joy Winans, and Charlayne Woodard.

OWN to Premiere Easter Music Special OUR OWN EASTER
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Mar 10, 2021

“Our OWN Easter” from executive producer Dr. Holly Carter, Rikki Hughes and Relevé Entertainment, an All3Media America company, will showcase some of the most renowned gospel and R&B artists in music and entertainment as they commemorate Easter in their 'OWN' unique way, blending sunrise service traditions with modern performances.

BWW College Guide - Everything You Need to Know About California Institute of the Arts in 2019/2020
by Linnae Medeiros - Nov 7, 2019

With college theatre program auditions just around the corner, we're highlighting some of the most prestigious theatre programs from all across the United States to give you insight into what to expect from their programs, from audition advice to real world experience and more. Today we're chatting with faculty from the California Institute of the Arts' School of Theater about its professional performance opportunities and support of original student plays.

BWW Interview: Comedic Playwright Eli Pasic on Comedy, Collaboration and Keeping Busy With Two New Works
by Isabella Perrone - Jul 24, 2019

Having two completely different shows premiere within a month of each other might be a daunting concept for many playwrights, but Eli Pasic is taking it in stride. The emerging Toronto writers' first fully produced work, the comedic farce FALSE CLAIMS, follows the story of a man who poses as his late aunt's husband in order to collect her life insurance policy and opens August 2. His nautical musical parody SOMETHING FOR THE BUOYS is set to premiere this fall. Pasic was able to take some time away from his heavy workload to discuss his journey from musician to produced playwright, and offered an in-depth look into the differences between writing for plays versus musicals, his creative process, and an unexpected collaboration with an established Broadway composer.

NAACP Reveals Nominations For The 28th Annual Theatre Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 28, 2019

Once again, the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch's Theatre Viewing Committee has spoken, and the nominations are in for the 28th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards. This year's pedigreed list of nominees collectively represents a rich, extensive dossier of legacies and accolades for both stage and screen. These nominees include members of a legendary 'gospel royal family' as well as a Legend whose part of an elite group of artists in the EGOT winners circle. These, along with all their fellow nominees, will be honored for their excellence on the small and large stages during our annual awards dinner, slated to be held on Monday, June 17, 2019, 6:00 p.m.at the prestigious Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Photo Coverage: On the Opening Night Red Carpet for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND!
by Jennifer Broski - Dec 4, 2017

The new Broadway production of Once On This Island officially opened last night, December 3rd, at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 W. 50th street, NYC), and is directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden, and choreographed by the critically-acclaimed Camille A. Brown.

Review: BORN FOR THIS Boldly Reminds Us to Choose Faith and Family Over the Excesses of Fame
by Shari Barrett - Aug 3, 2017

Although I never watched their program, I do remember that Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were wildly known almost as much for their outrageous personalities and sartorial style as their devotion to preaching the gospel of Jesus. It is easy to see why the pair became an unlikely surrogate family for the two teenagers from Detroit raised on that same belief, as they rapidly became the hottest stars in televangical America. But for the naive siblings, especially BeBe, it's not an easy lesson learning how to reconcile the temptations of fame and fortune with the things he ultimately values more. It's a wildy funny yet emotional journey toward self-discovery, told with great music and outstanding performances by siblings Juan Winans and Deborah Joy Winans (the children of Carvin Winans, Sr. and Deborah Winans) who portray their aunt CeCe and uncle BeBe with the utmost respect, magical stage presence, and the most amazing vocal pipes!

BWW Interview: BeBe Winans Talks BORN FOR THIS at The Broad Stage
by Don Grigware - Jun 29, 2017

Benjamin, 'BeBe' Winans, six-time Grammy Award winner, is the seventh child and youngest male of the the Detroit based first family of gospel music. BeBe is known as an inspirational, R&B, and popular vocalist, songwriter, and producer as well as an Executive Music Producer for the OWN Network's latest scripted series, 'Greenleaf'; host of his own radio show on the Heart & Soul Channel (68) on Sirius/XM Radio Networks on Sunday Mornings (9am ET/7am PT); renowned as the breakthrough artist to bridge the language of his roots in the church with a chart-topping, Award-winning career spanning audiences universally throughout all genres; author; Actor in motion pictures including friend Denzel Washington's,'The Manchurian Candidate'; and star of productions like Broadway's Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple with Chaka Khan amongst his credits. Teaming with his younger sister, Priscilla 'CeCe', the duo first began crossing lines as 'adopted children' of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker on the PTL television show. Their first tour, on which Whitney Houston proclaimed herself their 'sister' and sang background for the siblings, set the tone for a very special career. 

Announcing BeBe Winans' BORN FOR THIS at The Broad Stage
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2017

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents Born for This July 11 through August 6 (press opening on July 20).  Kicking off The Broad Stage's 2017-18 Theatre Season, this new musical features original music by six time GRAMMY Award-winning artist BeBe Winans, book by Charles Randolph-Wright and BeBe Winans, and is directed by Randolph-Wright (director of the Broadway and West End runaway hit Motown: The Musical).   

Photo Flash: BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY Celebrates Opening Night at Arena Stage
by BWW News Desk - Jul 12, 2016

Arena Stage presents BORN FOR THIS: THE BeBe Winans STORY, the heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans' journey to fame. BORN FOR THIS, directed by celebrated director and playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown The Musical), is a co-production with the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta, Ga., where the production ran April 13-May 15, 2016 prior to the Arena Stage production. The new musical, which officially kicks off Arena Stage's 2016/17 season, features original songs and Winans family hits, with a book by Randolph-Wright and Winans. BORN FOR THIS runs now through August 28, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

BWW Review: BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY Offers Joyous Music Experience at Arena Stage
by Jennifer Perry - Jul 11, 2016

Whether you share BeBe's upbringing and/or personal faith or not, it's impossible not to enjoy the music and talented vocalists in this show, which is reason enough to give it a chance.

Full Cast Announced for Bebe Winans Musical BORN FOR THIS at Arena Stage
by BWW News Desk - Jul 1, 2016

Arena Stage announces the full cast and creative team for BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans' journey to fame.

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY at Arena Stage
by BWW News Desk - Jun 28, 2016

Arena Stage presents BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans' journey to fame. BORN FOR THIS, directed by celebrated director and playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown The Musical), officially kicks off Arena Stage's 2016/17 season, featuring original songs and Winans family hits, with a book by Randolph-Wright and Winans. BORN FOR THIS runs July 1-August 28, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Bebe Winans Musical BORN FOR THIS Opens Tonight at Alliance Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Apr 23, 2016

Rehearsals started in Atlanta today for BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the hilarious and heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans's journey to fame. BORN FOR THIS, directed by celebrated director and playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown The Musical), will premiere on the Alliance Stage, now through May 15, 2016.

Bebe Winans Musical BORN FOR THIS Begins Tonight at Alliance Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Apr 13, 2016

BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the hilarious and heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans's journey to fame, directed by celebrated director and playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown The Musical), premieres on the Alliance Stage tonight, April 13, for a run through May 15, 2016.

Full Cast Announced for Bebe Winans Musical BORN FOR THIS at Arena Stage
by BWW News Desk - Mar 15, 2016

Arena Stage announces the full cast and creative team for BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans' journey to fame.

Full Cast Announced for Bebe Winans Musical BORN FOR THIS at Alliance Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Mar 15, 2016

Rehearsals started in Atlanta today for BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the hilarious and heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans's journey to fame. BORN FOR THIS, directed by celebrated director and playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown The Musical), will premiere on the Alliance Stage, April 13 - May 15, 2016.

New BeBe Winans Musical 'BORN FOR THIS', Kathleen Turner and More Among Arena Stage's 2016-17 Lineup
by BWW News Desk - Feb 15, 2016

Arena Stage just announced an exciting, starry 2016/17 season, which will showcase the theater's mission of American voices and artists.

Arena Stage to Present BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY in 2016
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 22, 2015

Six-time Grammy Award winner BeBe Winans and Broadway's Motown the Musical director Charles Randolph-Wright will debut the world-premiere American musical Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story at Arena Stage in summer 2016 as part of a co-production with Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Featuring new music by BeBe, the musical chronicles the early days of his career with sister CeCe Winans and their rise to fame through Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's Praise the Lord network television show.