Cicely Tyson News

For decades, the world's most high profile entertainers, athletes and politicians have turned to a single man for advice during the most pivotal moments in their lives and careers, including Grammy Award® winners, Hall of Famers, a Heavyweight Champion of the World and two U.S. Presidents. That man is Clarence Avant.

A&E Network is celebrating the lives of two American icons, Farrah Fawcett and John F. Kennedy Jr., surrounding the anniversaries of their tragic deaths through two in-depth original documentaries airing under the celebrated 'Biography' banner. These comprehensive explorations of their lives include never before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with those closest to them. These two-hour documentaries, 'Biography: Farrah Fawcett Forever' and 'Biography: JFK Jr. - The Final Year' will air Tuesday, July 9 at 9pm ET/PT and Tuesday, July 16th at 9pm ET/PT respectively.

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the first wave of guest presenters who will celebrate Denzel Washington at the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award on June 6, 2019, at a Gala Tribute in Los Angeles. Chadwick Boseman, Jodie Foster, Jamie Foxx, Morgan Freeman (2011 honoree), Michael B. Jordan, Issa Rae, Julia Roberts and Cicely Tyson will all be in attendance to pay tribute to Washington's life and work. In addition, multitalented film, television and music video artist Melina Matsoukas (AFI Class of 2005) will receive the 2019 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal, recognizing her extraordinary creative talents.  

Over 400 guests including current and past New York City high school students and their mentors who have participated in the TDF Wendy Wasserstein Project, the theatre arts mentoring program, (formerly called "Open Doors"), that TDF founded in 1998 with playwright Wendy Wasserstein, will attend this year's graduation ceremony at 5:30pm on Monday, June 3at The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street, NYC). The graduation ceremony will open with a performance by Aisha Jackson who covers the role of Anna in Disney's Frozen.

Dorothi Fox and Arthur French will star in the premiere of 'Imminently Yours' by Karimah, to be presented by The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) from June 17 to 30 at Theatre 80, 80 St. Marks Place. The play deals with the socio/philosophical issues of expropriation of their land and history by eminent domain in today's politics.  A secret mountain enclave has been inhabited for centuries by descendants of slaves. When its tradition of secrecy is breached by a millenial resident, the remote hamlet is discovered by the state's governor, who aims to evict its elderly residents by eminent domain for nonpayment of taxes, but underestimates the savvy community there. The play depicts an antagonistic society pitted against elders who are peacefully reliving their history. Generations ban together as they learn the past, teach the present and fight for their legacy. Count Stovall directs.

The Paley Center for Media will present Shaping Our Nation's Story: African- American Achievements in Television Presented by Citi from February 1-28. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Motown and the 100th birthday anniversary celebration of Jackie Robinson, this monthlong celebration will take place at the Paley Center's locations in New York City and Beverly Hills and will feature an interactive exhibit, family craft activities, education classes for high school students focusing on the civil rights movement, and screenings that take visitors on a nostalgic journey through the most significant African-American moments in television. 

The Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical Chicago has announced that Academy Award winner and Emmy nominee Cuba Gooding Jr. will return to Broadway as the smooth-talking lawyer "Billy Flynn," beginning Monday, January 7, 2019 through Sunday, February 10, 2019 (five weeks only) at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th Street).

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.

American actress Johnetta Eula'Mae Ackles makes her professional stage debut in Martin McDonagh's A Very Very Very Dark Matter at the Bridge Theatre, playing the captive Congolese woman who supplies writer Hans Christian Andersen with all his stories. 

Last night, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary holiday season at New York City Center kicked off with a star-studded Opening Night Gala Benefit performance and party led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, with iconic film stars Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson as honorary chairs. Prudential Financial received the Ailey Legacy Honor for their generous support and commitment to Ailey, especially its education and community programs. The award was presented by Battle and Christopher Taylor, an alumnus of the inaugural AileyCamp Newark (2011) and a current scholarship student at The Ailey School, and accepted by Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Impact at Prudential Financial.

As a centerpiece to its yearlong Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration and a kickoff to its five-week holiday season, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host a star-studded gala benefit on Today, November 28th at 7pm, complete with a performance for the ages at New York City Center and dinner-party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The gala honors Prudential Financial for its generous support and commitment to Ailey for over three decades, especially its educational and community programs.  The Honorary Chairs for the evening are screen icons Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson. Bassett, a Golden Globe Award winner, stars in the hit television series 9-1-1, and was most recently featured in the 2018 blockbusters Black Panther and Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Tyson - known for a myriad of roles across television and film, including Roots, Fried Green Tomatoes, and most recently How to Get Away With Murder - has received three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and on November 18th made history as the first black woman to receive an Honorary Academy Award.

As a centerpiece to its yearlong Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration and a kickoff to its five-week holiday season, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host a star-studded gala benefit on Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm, complete with a performance for the ages at New York City Center and dinner-party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The gala honors Prudential Financial for its generous support and commitment to Ailey for over three decades, especially its educational and community programs.  The Honorary Chairs for the evening are screen icons Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson. Bassett, a Golden Globe Award winner, stars in the hit television series 9-1-1, and was most recently featured in the 2018 blockbusters Black Panther and Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Tyson - known for a myriad of roles across television and film, including Roots, Fried Green Tomatoes, and most recently How to Get Away With Murder - has received three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and on November 18th made history as the first black woman to receive an Honorary Academy Award.

The world premiere of Natural Shocks starring Tony Nominee Pascale Armand (Eclipsed, The Trip to Bountiful) celebrated opening night last night, check out the photos below!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater's stage from November 28 - December 30, 2018 for a milestone season. During the Company's Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration, Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey's 32 extraordinary dancers during this five-week holiday engagement that will elevate a legacy of excellence in artistry with premieres by some of today's most revered and prolific choreographers, including world premieres by Rennie Harris and Ronald K. Brown; a company premiere by Wayne McGregor; a new production of by Robert Battle; the return of a recent premiere by Jessica Lang, and special performances of rarely seen works by Alvin Ailey himself.

Get a first look below at the world premiere of Natural Shocks starring Tony Nominee Pascale Armand (Eclipsed, The Trip to Bountiful).

Two River Theater (TRT) continues their 20182019 season with August Wilson's King Hedley II, directed by Obie Award winner, Brandon J. Dirden. It will be performed on the Red Bank stage from November 10 to December 16. Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Brittany Bellizeare who plays Tonya in King Hedley II.

The Theater Hall of Fame has announced its 2018 Inductees which include actors Rene Auberjonais, Christine Baranski, and Cicely Tyson; playwrights Maria Irene Fornes, David Henry Hwang, and Adrienne Kennedy; director Joe Mantello, and posthumously James Houghton.

As a centerpiece to its yearlong Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration and a kickoff to its five-week holiday season, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host a star-studded gala benefit on Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm, complete with a performance for the ages at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The Honorary Chairs for the evening are screen icons Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson. Bassett, a Golden Globe Award winner, stars in the hit television series 9-1-1, and was most recently featured in the 2018 blockbusters Black Panther and Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Tyson - known for a myriad of roles across television and film, including Roots, Fried Green Tomatoes, and most recently How to Get Away With Murder - has received three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and on November 18th will make history as the first black woman to receive an Honorary Academy Award.

On Tuesday, October 16, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) celebrated the 2018 Princess Grace Awards Gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York. Held in the presence of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, the Awards Gala honored actor, director, producer, and philanthropist Tim Daly, Tony Award-winning director Sam Gold, and founder of the dance company A.I.M (Abraham.In.Motion) Kyle Abraham. Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth served as mistress of ceremonies for the event.

Pacific Symphony won't save the best for last in the opening of the 2018-19 Pops season with the sensational entertainment star Vanessa Williams. Led by Pops conductor, Richard Kaufman, the Symphony joins Williams to celebrate her career for two nights at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, with a program of her icon hits such as "That's Entertainment," "Dreamin'," "Love Is Love," and "Save the Best for Last." The Symphony will also play the Hollywood themes from the film scores of "Splash," "The Producers," "Young Frankenstein," "Blazing Saddles," "Animal House and Airplane."