Clifton Samuels News

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'Extraordinary', featuring Umphress and Davi!

Virginia's Signature Theatre just announced the full cast of this spring's world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

Michael Thomas Holmes (The Producers, Oklahoma!) and Dominique Plaisant (The Nutty Professor, The Wild Party) have joined the cast of UnsungMusicalsCo.'s new Off-Broadway production of the 1950 musical revue Bless You All! with sketches by Emmy Award winner Arnold Auerbach ("The Phil Silvers Show," Call Me Mister) and a score by acclaimed songwriter Harold Rome (Fanny, Destry Rides Again).

UnsungMusicalsCo. presents the new Off-Broadway production of the 1950 musical revue Bless You All! with sketches by Emmy Award winner Arnold Auerbach ('The Phil Silvers Show,' Call Me Mister) and a score by acclaimed songwriter Harold Rome (Fanny, Destry Rides Again). Emilee Dupre (Venice, Chaplin), Jacob Hoffman (I'll Be Damned), Aaron Kaburick (Billy Elliot), Brent McBeth (White Christmas),Christopher Ryan (Young Frankenstein) and Clifton Samuels (Follies) join Jeremy Benton (Anything Goes), Jennifer Lee Crowl (Young Frankenstein), Ruth Pferdehirt (Finding Nemo: The Musical), Lindsay Roberts (Memphis) and Billie Wildrick (Scandalous) in the cast. Directed by UMC artistic director Ben West (The Fig Leaves Are Falling, At Home Abroad), the limited three-week engagement will run now through Oct 5 at The Connelly Theatre (220 East 4th Street). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Emilee Dupre (Venice, Chaplin), Jacob Hoffman (I'll Be Damned), Aaron Kaburick (Billy Elliot), Brent McBeth (White Christmas),Christopher Ryan (Young Frankenstein) and Clifton Samuels (Follies) have joined the cast of UnsungMusicalsCo.'s new Off-Broadway production of the 1950 musical revue Bless You All! with sketches by Emmy Award winner Arnold Auerbach ('The Phil Silvers Show,' Call Me Mister) and a score by acclaimed songwriter Harold Rome (Fanny, Destry Rides Again).

The York Theatre Company production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this Saturday evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for today, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

A new web series, Dates, Mates & Clean Slates, features Julie Kotarides (A Chorus Line, Surf!) and Stephanie Gibson (Spamalot, The Addams Family, and the upcoming R+H's Cinderella).. It's a sketch comedy series, in which two girls give dating advice...with a little twist. Check out the fifth episode below, called 'Cliff - For the Right Reasons.'

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) will host aspecial gala event featuring several numbers from the Richard Rodgers Award-winning new musical in development, Buddy's Tavern, with book by Raymond DeFelitta, lyrics by Alison Louise Hubbard, and music by Kim Oler. The institutional fundraising event is set for TONIGHT, August 5 at the Alexandre Gertsman Contemporary Art Gallery (652 Broadway, 2nd Floor, between Bleecker and Bond Streets). Portion of the proceeds collected by the Gertsman Gallery will be donated to The York Theatre Company.

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

Featured in this week's event was the cast of Storyville (Ernestine Jackson, DC Anderson, Cory Bretsch, Karen Burthwright, Kyle Robert Carter, Demeka Hayes, Michael Leonard James, Leajato Robinson, Clifton Samuels, Christopher Spaulding, Carl Wallnau, Debra Walton, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and Zakiya Young) performing 'Welcome to New Orleans,' 'The Best Is Yet to Come,' and 'Animal Stomp.' Check out highlights below!

Featured in this week's event were the casts of Soul Doctor, Avenue Q, Storyville, Gazillion Bubble Show and Rock of Ages. BroadwayWorld brings you full photo coverage below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) present the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. The show opened earlier this week and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photo coverage below!

Ed Bullins, book writer of the musical 'Storyville,' attended a recent performance of the musical at The York Theatre Company. Scroll down for photos of him with the cast and creative team!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) presents the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. Opening Night is Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) presents the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel.

Performances begin today, Monday, July 15, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Saturday, August 17, 2013 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.