Darius Barnes News

The 76th Annual Tony Awards have officially begun! As winners take the stage this evening, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld as we bring you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.

After much recognition, including a festival finalist and selection for a prestigious showcase, For Colored Boyz on the verge of a nervous breakdown when freedom ain't enuff is making its World/ Regional Premiere. Written, directed, and choreographed by Bryan-Keyth Wilson, this choreopoem dives deep into the lived experience of five men of color and the challenges of a racist and oppressive society.

Director, choreographer, dancer and performing artist, Darius Barnes has passed away at the age of 34.

To be clear, there is absolutely nothing about this production that is dull, dated, or dusty. The joint is most certainly jumpin’ for an evening full of rowdy, raunchy and humorous songs that capture the love longing and zest for life in the 1920’s/’30s.

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, written by Clarke Peters, with music and lyrics by Louis Jordan, will runs at Playhouse on Park from now until February 27, 2022. The show is directed and choreographed by Brittney Griffin. The associate choreographer is Darius Barnes, and the show features music direction by Dexter Pettaway.

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, written by Clarke Peters, with music and lyrics by Louis Jordan, will run at Playhouse on Park from January 26 - February 27, 2022. Directed and Choreographed by Brittney Griffin. Associate Choreographer: Darius Barnes. Music Direction by Dexter Pettaway.

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, written by Clarke Peters, with music and lyrics by Louis Jordan, will run at Playhouse on Park from January 26 - February 27, 2022.  Directed and Choreographed by Brittney Griffin. Associate Choreographer: Darius Barnes. Music Direction by Dexter Pettaway.

Atlantic Theater Company's world premiere musical Kimberly Akimbo opened just last night  for a limited engagement through Sunday, December 26th, 2021, Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street). The new musical features book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori, based on the critically acclaimed play of the same name by David Lindsay-Abaire, choreography by Danny Mefford, and direction by Jessica Stone

The event starts with a master class with Zalman Raffael, Carolina Ballet artistic director, and a conversation with curating director Richard Glover, choreographer Darius Barnes, and Moses T. Alexander Greene, Museum director of film and performing arts, before the original works are performed.

The event will feature performances by Broadway's Amber Iman, Tony Award winner Gavin Creel, Sasha Allen, Jo Lampert, Obie Award winner Whitney White, Hoofer Award winner Ayodele Casel, and more.

The Fulton Theatre has announced the schedule of its inaugural in person playwriting festival. “Stories of Diversity,” July 16 – July 18, 2021. The festival will feature three distinct and diverse plays that will engage the Lancaster community in much needed conversation.

A company of Broadway Bares favorites and newcomers more than 170 strong will combine forces to light up screens for Broadway Bares: Twerk from Home in its online premiere Sunday, June 20, 2021.

Radial Park opened its latest cinemersive experience last night with the iconic, blockbuster, fan-favorite film, The Blues Brothers! The Blues Brothers, features a live band and theatrical performances seamless timed in-sync with the movie in a one-of-a-kind hybrid mashup. The Blues Brothers, is directed by Kristine Bendul and Waldemar QuinonesVillanueva, and features a cast that includes Broadway's Charity Angel Dawson, Nick Rashad Burroughs, F. Michael Haynie, Brian Charles Johnson, and Antoine L. Smith, along with Ladonna Burns and Anne Fraser Thomas.

Elliott Mattox has worked with videographer Jacob Hiss and a cast filled with Broadway ensemble members to create a video to commemorate the anniversary of the Broadway shutdown.

American Dance Machine for the 21st Century has released its next virtual video, “Cool” from West Side Story, performed by 10 extraordinary dancers around New York City. “Cool” was directed by Tony Award nominee Joshua Bergasse, with choreography by Jerome Robbins recreated by Robert La Fosse.

In December 2020, PLAYDATE THEATRE hosted a virtual development conference to empower new musical theater writers across the globe.  Four songs were selected by emerging artists from a cohort of 11 composers and 11 lyricists from all over the world. PLAYDATE paired each team up with one challenge in mind – write an original, holiday-themed musical number – with the winning composers’ teams to receive recordings sung by professional performers. 

Today (January 8) in live streaming: Isaac Mizrahi at the Carlyle, Donna McKechnie on Stars in the House, and so much more!

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm) with a celebration of Donna McKechnie and The American Dance Machine with Nikki Feirt Atkins, Darius Barnes, Taeler Cyrus, Alex Debarr, Douglas Denoff, Alyssa Epstein, Sara Esty, Jess LeProtto, Donna McKechnie, Sarah Meahl and Georgina Pazcoguin.

Today's top stories: Mean Girls will not reopen, sneak peek at Wayne Brady's concert with Seth Rudetsky, Spamalot movie adaptation acquired by Paramount, and more!

With Broadway performances on hold since March 12, 2020 and ballet companies on hold, the entire dance community looks forward to resuming performances and welcoming audiences safely back into the magical world of live dance and theater.  We all need “Somebody to Dance For!”