Allee Willis News

La MaMa will celebrate its 55th season with a singular Gala Event like no other on Thursday, November 10 at La MaMa Annex (66 E.4 St.) when the Grammy-winning, co-author of the Tony-winning musical THE COLOR PURPLE and legendary party-hostess Allee Willis throws one of her renowned bashes, created especially as a benefit for La MaMa: BADEYA BABY! or HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE THE THEATRE.

'My learning never stops,' THE COLOR PURPLE's Cynthia Ervio tells her Facebook followers. So even with all the awards and accolades, the West End and Broadway star takes her voice lessons every Friday.

Starring on Broadway as the determined survivor Celie in the hit revival of THE COLOR PURPLE eight times a week just isn't enough of a workout for Tony-winner Cynthia Erivo.

The Tony-winner not only excels on stage but in the gym as well.

THROUGHOUT OUR COLLEGE CAREER AS THEATRE MAJORS WE ARE ASKED TO READ AND DISCUSS PLAYWRIGHTS THAT HAVE CHANGED AND CONTRIBUTED TO THEATRE. We read about THE GREATS Shakespeare, Ibsen, Shaw, Moliere, Brecht, Beckett and many other playwrights that have pushed traditional theatre creating and producing something different. Reading about 'The Greats' is a given in theatre education, Valuing the work of the playwrights and ultimately educating students of different time periods and exploring themes of the era.

The Oscar and Emmy winner pays a backstage visit after taking in the hit Broadway revival.

A sumptuous combination of artistry to the tune of George and Ira Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS classic.

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 Tony-winning British star celebrates her first stateside 4th of July with a joyous rendition of America's anthem.

Maya Angelou's poem, 'Phenomenal Woman,' is brought to life in a short film from actress Elizabeth Masucci, starring THE COLOR PURPLE's Danielle Brooks. Check it out below!

Danielle Brooks stopped by NBC's TODAY to discuss the new season of her hit Netflix series'Orange Is the New Black' and making her Broadway debut in the Tony winning musical The Color Purple. 

On today's LIVE with Kelly, broadcasting icon Oprah Winfrey discussed presenting at this year's Tony Awards and Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE, which took home the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.

Cynthia Erivo and the cast of THE COLOR PURPLE knocked it out of the park on the 70th Annual TONY AWARDS. Watch the performance below!

All eyes are on New York as the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League prepare to present the Tony Awards at the seventieth ceremony of its kind. On the morning of the awards, BroadwayWorld South Africa asked six local theatre professionals what the Tony Awards means to them and who they were hoping would bring home the bacon.

STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, took place today, Friday, June 3rd from 12:30pm-2:30pm in Shubert Alley. Hosted by Tony nominee Sean Hayes and Mo Rocca, Broadway's best once again turned out for the annual performance - including Heather Headley and the cast of The Color Purple, who brought down the alley with a performance of 'Push the Button' - check it out below!

It appears that perhaps the events of the last few days may have been just a bit too much, even for a fireball such as Erivo. The

Cynthia Erivo gave a powerful performance of 'I'm Here' from Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE on last night's LATE SHOW on CBS. The role marks the Tony nominee's Broadway debut.

Tony nominee and star of THE COLOR PURPLE Cynthia Erivo doesn't rest! Yesterday, before her two show day, the star completed a half-marathon...and chronicled the whole thing on Twitter! Check it out below!

Cynthia Erivo has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE.

THE COLOR PURPLE has won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The original production ran on Broadway in 2005 and earned eleven 2006 Tony Awards nominations.