Akron Watson News

Broadway's biggest hit said goodbye to some of it's biggest hitters this week. Hamilton bid adieu to Tony-winning star and writer Lin Manuel Miranda, Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr, Tony nominee Phillipa Soo and 'The Bullet' herself, Ariana DeBose. That's a big change for the blockbuster and has, doubtless, left several Hamilton devotees heartbroken. We figured it'd be fitting to take a look back at some Sessions performances from the Tony-winning score that has wiggled its way into our heads and playlists and won't let go (nor do we want it to). Featuring The Color Purple's Akron Watson, Elf's Paul Ianiello, Avenue Q's Imari Hardon, country-fried acoustic trio Siren, new comer Ellis Dawson and Hamilton's own Angelia standby- Alysha Deslorieux.

The best of Broadway will be performing FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 LITE FM's Broadway in Bryant Park 2016' - a lunchtime series that just kicked off this week, July 7 on the Bryant Park Stage. Hosted by LITE FM's on-air personalities, the 16th annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances will run through Thursday, August 11.

In attendance today was the cast of The Color Purple (Antoine L. Smith, Rema Webb, Phoenix Best, Akron Watson, Carrie Compere, Adrianna Hicks, Patrice Covington, Lawrence Clayton) who performed three songs from the show: 'Push Da Button,' 'Any Little Thing,' and 'The Color Purple.' Check out highlights below!

The best of Broadway will be performing FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 LITE FM's Broadway in Bryant Park 2016' - a lunchtime series kicking off thisThursday, July 7  (12:30pm)on the Bryant Park Stage. Hosted by LITE FM's on-air personalities, the 16th annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances will run through Thursday, August 11. This year's 106.7 LITE FM'S Broadway in Bryant Park is presented by NewYork-Presbyterian for Kids and TKTS Discount Ticketing Booth.

Cast members from the Tony-nominated revival of The Color Purple made their way to The Laurie Beechman Theatre on Thursday evening for Broadway Sessions. It became clear pretty darn quick that we were no longer in a theater- we were at CHURCH! These cats can sing like nobody's business. And that's just what they did. They SANG!!! Cast members Rema Webb, Antoine L. Smith, J. Daughtry, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Phoenix Best, Akron Watson and Carla R. Stewart were greeted with standing ovation after standing ovation. The cast also shared insights into their audition experiences, told us their favorite 'audience reactions', played a round of 'The Color Purple Pyramid' and joined their voices together for an unforgettable group performance of the show's 11 o'clock number, 'I'm Here.'

This Thursday night, June 2nd, BROADWAY SESSIONS welcomes cast members from the Tony nominated Best Musical Revival, The Color Purple. Color Purple cast members scheduled to perform include Antoine L. Smith, Rema Webb, Akron Watson, Carla R. Stewart, Phoenix Best, Adrianna Hicks, J. Daughtry, Bre Jackson, D'Wayne Clark and more.

The York Theatre Company and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series will present staged readings of three new musicals: A Tale of Two Cities, with book, music and lyrics by Wendy Kesselman, Platinum, with lyrics and music by Will Holt and Gary William Friedman, and book by Stevie Holland with Gary William Friedman, and The Fitzgeralds of Saint Paul, with book, music and lyrics by Christie Baugher, at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Danielle Brooks stopped by last night's LATE NIGHT and explained how her Broadway musical inspired her to pursue acting.

THE COLOR PURPLE recorded its official Broadway cast album in December, and it is available online and in stores today, February 19, released by Broadway Records. The album is produced by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti. 

THE COLOR PURPLE recently recorded its official cast album, which will be released by Broadway Records on February 19 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com and atwww.BroadwayRecords.com. Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, the production stars Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Danielle Brooks- all making their Broadway debuts. The company just got together for a listening party and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out photos from the special night below!

THE COLOR PURPLE recently recorded its official cast album, which was released by Broadway Records last month and can be purchased at Amazon.com and at www.BroadwayRecords.com. Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, the production stars Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Danielle Brooks- all making their Broadway debuts. The company just got together for a listening party and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out photos from the special night below!

On Thursday, Dec 31, 2015, hundreds gathered for an uptown New Year's event for the ages -- An 'Off the Kuff' New Year's Eve blowout. The star-studded soiree was hosted by nationally recognized motivational speaker and engagement expert Shaun Derik and TV/film actor and Broadway performer Ephraim Sykes (Vinyl, Leave It On the Floor, Hamilton). BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

THE COLOR PURPLE, which opened last night to ecstatic reviews, will record its official cast album this Monday, December 14, 2015.  The new Broadway cast recording will be released by Broadway Records on January 29, 2016and can pre-ordered at Amazon.com and at www.BroadwayRecords.com.  The album is being produced by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti.

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opened just last night, December 10, at theBernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner Jennifer Hudson makes her Broadway debut opposite Cynthia Erivo, the breakout star of John Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's Danielle Brooks, in the highly anticipated production of The Color Purple. All three women are make their Broadway debuts. BroadwayWorld was there for the unforgettable night and you can go inside the after party below!

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opened just last night, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe award winner Jennifer Hudson makes her Broadway debut opposite Cynthia Erivo, the breakout star of John Doyle's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production, and Orange is the New Black's Danielle Brooks, in the highly anticipated production of The Color Purple. All three women are make their Broadway debuts. BroadwayWorld was there for the unforgettable night and you can go inside the first official curtain call below!

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

The new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE opens tonight, December 10, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street).

A first look at the new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, now in previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street), has just been released. Check out highlights of the cast in action below!

A first look at the new Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, now in previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W 45th Street), has just been released. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

On last night's LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT, Jennifer Hudson and the cast of Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE performed the number 'Push Da Button'.