Producers Barry and Fran Weissler and the The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announce that Grammy Award-winner Brandy Norwood will play 'Roxie Hart' when the production returns to Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center. CHICAGO THE MUSICAL will play a limited two-week engagement from April 4-16, 2017.
Adorable, utterly romantic, and thoroughly winsome, this stage adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is, admittedly, a wonderful surprise---filled with dazzling stage ingenuity; a dreamy, sweeping classic score by two legendary titans of musical theater; a revised, 21st-Century-tinged new book by playwright Douglas Carter Beane; magical Tony Award-winning costumes from the great William Ivey Long that will have you wondering 'how'd they do that?' and, lastly, an ensemble cast of terrific actor-singers that will have you cheering its inevitable happy-ever-after. And, if you're anything like me, you too will be easily swept up by its visual and musical loveliness and its endearing, sweet love story.The Broadway musical's Equity National Tour---now in its last weeks---has finally winded itself back to So. Cal., this time for a two-week stay at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through May 1, 2016 (the tour then moves on from here to its final scheduled week-long stop at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre through May 8).
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: SMART PEOPLE and Mike Birbiglia bow off-Broadway, MOTOWN heads to London and more!
Macy's has partnered with couture and ready-to-wear designer B Michael to produce the first b Michael America runway fashion show at this year's NAACP Image Awards luncheon, which honors the nominees of the 47th annual NAACP Image Awards, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, CA. Actress and singer Brandy Norwood, known for her work on 'Moesha,' 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,' and 'Cinderella,' will walk in the fashion show. B Michael previously dressed the star for her media junkets during her run in 'Chicago' on Broadway and also collaborated with her costume designer on her new series for BET, 'Zoe Ever After.'
Last night, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's holiday season at New York City Center kicked off with an Opening Night Gala Benefit. The one-night-only benefit performance and party honored BNY Mellon for its major support of the Ailey Organization since 2007, and Agnes & Gerald Hassell accepted on the institution's behalf. Film star Chadwick Boseman and actress and Grammy-Award winning artist Brandy served as Honorary Chairs, and the event's co-chairs were Simin Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Debra L. Lee, Doris & Gilbert Meister, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach and Joan & Sandy Weill. $2.5 million was raised in support of the creation of new works, scholarships to The Ailey School, and Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off a five-week holiday season on December 2nd with a star-studded gala benefit including a performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. This year's gala will honor BNY Mellon for its major support of The Ailey Organization, and Agnes & Gerald Hassell will accept on the institution's behalf. Celebrated film star Chadwick Boseman, best known for portraying Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in Get on Up, will serve as the evening's honorary chair.
The Paley Center for Media, the leading nonprofit cultural institution that showcases the importance and impact of media on our society, will hold a Hollywood Tribute to African-American Achievements in Television
CINDERELLA is the only Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that was originally written for television. Its first performance was broadcast live on CBS on March 31, 1957 as a vehicle for Julie Andrews, who played the title role. It was subsequently remade for television twice. The 1965 version starred Lesley Ann Warren, and the 1997 one starred Brandy Norwood.
BET's THE GAME series finale delivered 3.7 million viewers on its premiere night. For the last three years, THE GAME reigned as the #1 sitcom on basic cable among adults 18-49.
The replacement star. One of the trickiest and most problematic facets of any production facing an enterprising producer and director is casting a fitting replacement, particularly for a star role. Of course, John Kander and Fred Ebb's vaudeville-based performance opportunity extravaganza CHICAGO allows for a copious amount of star turns, so the likely candidates for filling the famous shoes of the roles of Roxie, Velma, Billy Flynn and Matron Mama Morton are nearly overwhelming to consider. Furthermore, August 8 marked the momentous day in Broadway history when legendary Broadway and Hollywood superstar Liza Minnelli famously stepped in for an ailing Gwen Verdon in the original Bob Fosse production of CHICAGO on Broadway. Now, with notable pop star Brandy Norwood as the current Roxie and reality competition show standout Rumer Willis poised to take over in early September giving a slew of fresh buzz to one of Broadway's longest-running musicals of all time, the 1996 revival of CHICAGO, now is an ideal time to consider some familiar faces who have excelled in the role in the past and could continue the tradition and keep the momentum going for a production that has now played nearly 8,000 performances on the Great White Way. Time may have marched on, but these ladies certainly still have the stuff!
Today, July 21st, Brandy Norwood, who currently stars as Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago, will appear on NBC's TODAY during the 9'o' clock hour to talk about the musical. At 10 am, Jennifer Hudson, who will make her Broadway debut in the upcoming revival of THE COLOR PURPLE will visit with TODAY's Kathie Lee and Hoda. Be sure to set your DVR's!
The beauty of a long-running Broadway show is being able to see an iconic role portrayed by more than just one star. Today, BWW is continuing our new series SHOWTUNE SHUFFLE! And in this edition, not one, but four leading ladies sing Chicago's 'Roxie' from start to finish. Click below to watch Brandy Norwood, Ann Horak, Dylis Croman, and Melissa Rae Mahon trade off the melody and strut all over the Brynat Park stage!
NBC has announced that on Tuesday, July 21st, Brandy Norwood, who currently stars as Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago, will appear during the 9'0'clock hour to talk about the musical.
Broadway in Bryan Park continued its 2015 program on Thursday - and BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the first day. This week's line-up included performances from the casts of Mamma Mia!, CHICAGO, Finding Neverland, SISTAS and the help of 39 STEPS. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special event below!
Singer and current star of Broadway's CHICAGO Brandy Norwood thought she would treat a crowd of unsuspecting subway riders to a cover of 'Home' from THE WIZ.
Later this week, 106.7 LITE FM will continue its 15th annual lunchtime theatre summer series, '106.7 LITE FM's Broadway in Bryant Park.' The 2015 program will present the best of Broadway, FREE to the public, on six consecutive Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. ET on the Bryant Park Stage. Thursday's line-up will include performances from the casts of CHICAGO (Brandy Norwood, Donna Marie Asbury, NaTasha Yvette Williams, David Bushman, Andrew Fitch, Kelcy Ann Griffin, Denny Paschall, Angel Reda, Michael Scirrotto, Tonya Wathen, Lara Seibert Young), Finding Neverland (Laura Michelle Kelly, Casey Butler, Jackson Demott Hill, Alex Dreier, Eli Tokash), SISTAS: The Musical (Emilie Battle, Tanesha Gary, Jennifer Fouche, Amy Goldberger, Robyn Payne), MAMMA MIA!, and 39 Steps (Arnie Burton, Billy Carter, Robert Petkoff, Brittany Vicars).