Cheryl L. West News

Kansas City Repertory Theatre has announced the 2026-2027 season. Showcasing KCRep's leadership in presenting a dynamic range of theatrical experiences, the upcoming season will honor strength, courage, and welcoming the stranger—and deliver a gut-busting comedy that will make audiences roar.

This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Houston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Houston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Houston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Houston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

The first standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Houston Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

The opening of The Ensemble’s 49th season is a H-I-T!

Bria Washington is stepping into the spotlight as the determined and big-hearted Akeelah in The Ensemble Theatre’s production of Akeelah and the Bee. Based on the beloved film, Cheryl L. West’s stage adaptation follows an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles who discovers her gift for spelling and, through it, the power of perseverance, self-belief, and community. For Washington, the role is both a challenge and a joy—one that resonates deeply with her own journey as an artist navigating new chapters in Houston.

Watch Wesley J. Barnes and Derrick D. Truby Jr. perform 'Rocks in My Bed' from PLAY ON!  Signature Theatre is now presenting Play On!, a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. Performances run through October 5, 2025 in Signature’s MAX Theatre.

Today’s subject Kanysha Williams is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre playing the role of Miss Mary in Play On!. The Duke Ellington/Shakespeare infused extravaganza runs through October 5th in Signature’s MAX space.

Twenty-three songs from the catalogue of the legendary composer and musician Duke Ellington creatively exploding with swinging energy or calming with mellow moods are enough to make one’s mind spin ---but combine this with a creative book by Cheryl L. West (the project was conceived by Sheldon Epps) that is based on playwright William Shakespeare’s famous comedy Twelfth Night, and you have hit the merriment mother lode courtesy of the Signature Theatre. 

A delightful musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits, Play On! is now running through October 5, 2025. See brand-new video of the show!

Signature Theatre is now presenting Play On!, a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. Get a first look at photos here! 

Signature Theatre has released the trailer for Play On!, a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night and set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. Watch the new video now!

Signature Theatre has a video inside rehearsals for Play On!, with the cast rehearsing 'Take The A Train.' Play On! is a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night and set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. 

Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for Play On!, conceived by Sheldon Epps. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here!

Signature Theatre has announced its 2025–2026 season, featuring new productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Pippin, the world premiere of In Clay, and the DC premieres of Strategic Love Play and What Became of Us. Full season listings included.

During these dark and cold nights, something magical is happening on stage at the Lyric Hammersmith. Play On! was originally created by director Sheldon Epps and writer Cheryl L. West back in 1997, transferring from San Diego to Broadway. Talawa theatre company have stripped the show back and have created a truly joyful production to delight the most curmudgeonly of audiences.

La Jolla Playhouse has revealed the dates and projects for its 2024 DNA New Work Series, running in the Playhouse’s Rao and Padma Makineni Play Development Center. See full programming and see how to purchase tickets.

The Archive: New Works by Black Women will return with a second installment, featuring staged readings by black female playwrights and directors. Learn how to purchase tickets.