S. Epatha Merkerson

Complete Cast and Creative Team Announced For THE PIANO LESSON, Starring Samuel L Jackson, Danielle Brooks and More

The complete cast and creative team have been announced for the first Broadway revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Joining the cast are Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Elizabeth Swan, who will alternate the role of Maretha. Rounding out the company are Shirine Babb, Charles Browning, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sharina Martin, Warner Miller, Doron JePaul Mitchell and Kim Sullivan.

August Wilson's THE PIANO LESSON Will Now Open at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre Rather Than the St. James

The first Broadway revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson will now play the Ethel Barrymore Theatre for its 17-week engagement. The production was originally supposed to come to the St. James Theatre, current home of Into The Woods, which is rumored to be extending.

Bob Gunton, John Rubinstein, & Carolyn McCormick to Star in THE SOAP MYTH in The Hamptons This Summer

Bob Gunton, a two-time Tony nominee, Drama Desk and Obie winner (Sweeney Todd, Evita, How I Got That Story) will return to the New York area stage after a thirty-year hiatus to star in the acclaimed drama The Soap Myth by Drama Desk winner Jeff Cohen Aug 10-28 at Southampton Cultural Center.

Jury Revealed for Geena Davis' 8th Annual Bentonville Film Festival

Today, The Bentonville Film Festival unveiled their distinguished Competition Jury, singularly dedicated to inclusive representation in media and entertainment. The festival, produced by the BFFoundation and chaired by Academy Award-winning Actor Geena Davis, will take place in-person June 22-26 and virtually June 22-July 3. The illustrious group of jurors is composed of award-winning producers, directors, actors and authors, including actor Yolonda Ross, film and television producer Bird Runningwater, actor Shohreh Aghdashloo, writer and filmmaker Justine Bateman, among others. The Festival is sponsored by Founding Partner, Walmart and Presenting Partner Coca-Cola. 

Kandi Burruss to Join Producing Team of THE PIANO LESSON on Broadway

Kandi Burruss, the Grammy Award-winning singer / songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, star of “the Real Housewives of Atlanta” on BRAVO, and producer of Thoughts of a Colored Man, alongside Todd Tucker, announced today that they will be joining the producing team for The Piano Lesson on Broadway.

Up on the Marquee: THE PIANO LESSON

The highly anticipated Broadway revival of August Wilson’s seminal, Pulitzer Prize®-winning drama The Piano Lesson, and the first in more than 30 years since the play’s Main Stem premiere, is the first marquee of the 2022 / 2023 season to hit Broadway at the iconic St. James Theatre, the production’s future home, on the occasion of Mr. Wilson’s 77th Birthday today.

Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis & Michael Potts Join the Cast of THE PIANO LESSON Starring Samuel L. Jackson & More

Producers Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy announced additional cast for the revival of August Wilson’s seminal, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama The Piano Lesson, the first Broadway revival in more than 30 years since the play’s Main Stem premiere in 1990.

Photos: Go Inside Rehearsals for EPIPHANY at Lincoln Center Theater

Lincoln Center Theater is presenting Epiphany, a new play by Brian Watkins, directed by Tyne Rafaeli. Epiphany will begin previews Thursday, May 19 and open on Thursday, June 16 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Lincoln Center Theater to Present EPIPHANY by Brian Watkins

Lincoln Center Theater has announced its upcoming production of Epiphany, a new play by Brian Watkins, directed by Tyne Rafaeli.  Epiphany will begin previews Thursday, May 19 and open on Thursday, June 16 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street). 

THE PIANO LESSON, Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, & John David Washington, Will Arrive on Broadway This Fall

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, and John David Washington are set to star in a Broadway revival of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson in 2022. Find out what theatre the show will be in, and when!

VIDEO: LACKAWANNA BLUES Celebrates Its First Broadway Preview!

Manhattan Theatre Club reopened its doors today with the first preview of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Lackawanna Blues, which reopens MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre!

On the next episode of NBC's CHICAGO MED titled "iNO", as Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee) treats a bleeding teenage girl, he discovers she's just given birth, sparking a frantic search for her abandoned baby.

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for opening night and you can check out interviews with the full gang below!

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), present the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). Poor Behavior plays a limited, six-week engagement September 23 - October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 7PM. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow was there for the big event. Check out a behind the scenes look below!

August WilsonFor the very first time, the Estate of August Wilson has granted an organization the rights to record all 10 of these works. Kicking off on Monday, August 26 with 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' The Greene Space - the performance venue of public radio stations WNYC and WQXR -- will stage these readings before live audiences, and will make them present them as live video webcasts for viewers everywhere at www.thegreenespace.org. Ruben Santiago-Hudson, one of the leading interpreters of Wilson's work, is Artistic Director. The series has assembled a formidable group of 'Wilson Warriors' including Phylicia Rashad, S. Epatha Merkerson, Kenny Leon, Leslie Uggams, Anthony Chisholm and many others, along with Wilson first-timers including Taraji P. Hensonand Jesse L. Martin. Click below to watch interviews with the directors!

Brian J. Smith guest stars in an all-new episode of Syfy's hit series, Defiance, tonight, June 10 at 9PM ET/PT. Get a sneak peek below!

Brian J. Smith guest stars in an all-new episode of Syfy's hit series, Defiance,Monday, June 10 at 9PM ET/PT. Get a sneak peek below!

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims stopped by Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's to chat with Jenna Gavigan about her big Broadway debut in Gypsy with Bernadette Peters, performing opposite S. Epatha Merkerson, working as a television actress and crafting a cabaret show.

Catch this latest video show preview featuring Come Back, Little Sheba!