Anika Noni Rose News

As the ten year anniversary of the hit animated film, The Princess and the Frog approaches, Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose is reflecting on her role as the first black Disney princess.

Today's top stories: The Great Society and Derren Brown: Secret begin previews tonight, and more!

Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville has joined the cast of Netflix's first live-action original musical Jingle Jangle, according to Deadline. Bonneville will star alongside Forest Whitaker  in the holiday film.

Updated September 2023: Finding your best audition song is crucial - especially as a young performer. Check out some great audition song options for kids of all ages and find out how to pick the perfect audition song if you're a kid or teenager!

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announces casting and creative teams for the summer season of new musicals and plays selected for development at the National Music Theater Conference and National Playwrights Conference.

Colonial Williamsburg celebrates Independence Day with a full day of patriotic programs and activities culminating in a grand show on the Palace Green and iconic fireworks display.

In the past few weeks, we've watched the nominations roll in. Today the final crop of nominees have been revealed, all leading to next week's ultimate announcement- the 2019 Tony nominations.

The Outer Critics Circle Award winners have been announced! The big winner this year is Hadestown, taking home 6 awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Score, and Amber Gray for Outstanding Featured Actress!

Award-winning and critically-acclaimed Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC - Jesse Marchese, Executive Director; Dev Bondarin, Artistic Director) continues its 18th mainstage season with a production of the Tony-nominated musical Caroline, or Change by Tony Kushner (Book & Lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (Music), directed by APAC artistic director, Dev Bondarin (New York Innovative Theatre Award nominee for Best Director for APAC's 2017 production of Raisin). Caroline, or Change runs from May 2 - 25, 2019 at the Broccoli Theater at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, 21-12 30th Road (at 21st Street), Astoria, NY 11102.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.

In the past few weeks, we've watched the nominations roll in. Today the final crop of nominees have been revealed, all leading to next week's ultimate announcement- the 2019 Tony nominations.

The Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers covering New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway, welcomes 'Tootsie' star Julie Halston along with 'Torch Song' sensation Michael Urie to announce the nominees for the 2018-19 season today, April 23rd. Click here to watch live!

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2019 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by the current stars of Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan, at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online here at BroadwayWorld.

According to Deadline, Netflix set initial casting on its first ever original musical JINGLE JANGLE. Keegan-Michael Key, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, and Madalen Mills have joined Forest Whitaker in the cast. The film is set to be written and directed by David E. Talbert. the film will be set for release in 2020. 

Award-winning and critically-acclaimed Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC - Jesse Marchese, Executive Director; Dev Bondarin, Artistic Director) continues its 18th mainstage season with a production of the Tony-nominated musical Caroline, or Change by Tony Kushner (Book & Lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (Music), directed by APAC artistic director, Dev Bondarin (New York Innovative Theatre Award nominee for Best Director for APAC's 2017 production of Raisin). Caroline, or Change runs from May 2 - 25, 2019 at the Broccoli Theater at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, 21-12 30th Road (at 21st Street), Astoria, NY 11102.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.

The Orleans Hotel and Casino will bring celebrated entertainment to The Orleans Showroom in April, including the musical "Up, Up and Away" Starring Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. and Legendary Ladies of Motown Starring Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson. Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend will also return to The Orleans on Thursday, April 18 through Sunday, April 21. April entertainment will also feature free live entertainment at Bourbon Street Lounge and Bailiwick All American Pub + Eatery throughout the month.

Award-winning actress Danielle Brooks, star of Netflix's blockbuster series Orange Is the New Black, has been named host of the eleventh season of the public television series AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. Brooks will help guide audiences as they journey through AfroPoP's new slate of documentary and short stories on contemporary life, art and culture in the African Diaspora. Season 11 of the series, which highlights diverse issues including social justice, politics, LGBTQ identity, fashion and violence against women, premieres at 8 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, on the WORLD Channel, with a new episode airing each Monday through February 18. AfroPoP is produced by Black Public Media (BPM) and co-presented by American Public Television (APT). 

HBO salutes Ailey at 60 with a social media video series to launch during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary New York City Center season November 28 - December 30. This tribute video series will introduce new audiences to the Ailey legacy through moving commentary from music, film, and TV stars - Jussie Smollett, Vanessa Williams, Jillian Hervey, and Black Thought - who share how Ailey has inspired their artistry, impacted American culture, and continues to reach people of all ages backgrounds around the globe.