F Brown News

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz will hold two free post-matinee talkbacks and audience Q&A sessions with Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel and members of the company on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, July 1 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).

Two-Time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role of 'The Wiz' in the original Broadway production (1975), caught the ENCORES! production of 'The Wiz' last night and visited the members of the cast backstage.

BroadwayWorld.com's master photographer Walter McBride covered all the 'Oz' filled action, in addition to his normal stellar photo coverage he has created a special 'In The Spotlight' series of pictures. These portraits of The Wiz cast are 'in the moment' and taken as they met the press on opening night!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, officially opened last night, Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Ashanti's Dorothy is joined by Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras celebrated along with the cast after the curtain came down!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, officially opened last night, Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. BroadwayWorld.com 'eased on down the road' to cover all the 'Oz' filled action!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, officially opens tonight, Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz will hold two free post-matinee talkbacks and audience Q&A sessions with Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel and members of the company on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, July 1 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).

The U.S. premiere of the Playwrights Realm's production of DOV AND ALI - a new drama by playwright Anna Ziegler and directed by Katherine Kovner - opened at The Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street) on Friday, June 12 to enthusiastic reviews. Previews of DOV AND ALI began on June 5, and it will continue to play through June 27.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

The Wiz, the 1974 rock and soul musical based on the beloved L. Frank Baum story about Dorothy and her adventures in Oz, will be directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, with music direction by Alex Lacamoire, (the team responsible for the Tony-winning In the Heights). It begins performances tonight, June 12th, 2009.

Fern Kershon and Orange Thought Productions today announced that 2009 Academy Award nominee Melissa Leo would head the cast of their new production, Heart of the City, a new play by Eric Lane, directed by Martha Banta. Performances will begin June 11th at the Theatre at 30th Street, for a limited engagement. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Fern Kershon and Orange Thought Productions will present Heart of the City, a new play by Eric Lane, directed by Martha Banta, featuring Eliza Foss, Scott Kerns, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Martin LaPlatney, Melissa Miller and Mark Setlock. Performances will begin Thursday June 11th at the Theatre at 30th Street, for a limited engagement.

Colman Domingo will replace Orlando Jones in the title role of The Wiz for the final six performances, June 29 - July 5 at New York City Center. Mr. Jones is leaving the show early in order to shoot his new series 'Crash Course' for ABC-TV. The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz stars Ashanti, LaChanze, Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

The KNF Co announces the World Premiere of BIRD HOUSE, an impossible new play written by Kate Marks. BIRD HOUSE will run for 12 performances from July 10th through July 26th at Theater 3, 311 West 43rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York City. Heidi Handelsman directs a cast of six including Ora Fruchter, Kylie Goldstein, Wendy Scharfman, Christina Shipp, Anthony Wills Jr., and Cotton Wright.

The Playwrights Realm presents the U.S. premiere of DOV AND ALI - a new drama by playwright Anna Ziegler, author of the critically acclaimed play BFF. Previews begin June 5th prior to an official press opening of June 12th Off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street) in Manhattan. Playwrights Realm Co-Artistic Director Katherine Kovner directs.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews begin June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. You can catch all the 'Wiz' filled fun at up to 35% off with our special BWW Discount to the upcoming Encores! Summer Stars production!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews begin June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

'There's No Place Like Home' for homeless shelter dogs, according to Nigel, the former street-dog-turned-stage-star, who is making his New York professional debut in The Wiz at City Center in June. The need for a home is what inspired Nigel, along with co-star Ashanti (who plays Dorothy) to host 'There's No Place Like Home' Adoption Day on Saturday, May 30th at at City Center (55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues). BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the 'WIZ' filled fun!

Singer/songwriter, actor and author Ashanti will make her stage debut as Dorothy in the New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, June 12 - July 5 at New York City Center (W. 55th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues). The Wiz, the 1974 rock and soul musical based on the beloved L. Frank Baum story about Dorothy and her adventures in Oz, will be directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, with music direction by Alex Lacamoire, (the team responsible for the Tony-winning In the Heights).