Fantasia Barrino News

Newcomer Mariah Lyttle hasn't exactly pounded the New York City pavement quite yet, but it's not a reflection on her motivation or hard work. In fact, the young actress barely crossed the graduation stage before headlining a regional production of THE WIZ, which closed only moments before she booked the coveted role of Celie in the latest THE COLOR PURPLE national tour. While back at home for the holidays with her family, Ms. Lyttle sat down to share how the role has helped her find her voice, and how this classic story inspires hope and faith in audiences of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Broadway Actor and Streamy Award Winner Todrick Hall announced his new world tour 'Haus Party World Tour'. The tour will feature brand new sets and costumes and will feature the music from his three-part album 'Haus Party' as well as some of his most viral online creations live onstage. The 30+ city world tour will stop at The VETS in Providence on November 6. Tickets & VIP packages for the Haus Party World Tour go on sale beginning Friday, May 17th. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at TheVetsRI.com.

Geva Theatre Center's 46th Season concludes with the world premiere of Revival: The Resurrection of Son House, written and directed by Keith Glover, with music by Son House, Billy Thompson and Keith Glover, musical direction by Billy Thompson and choreography by Norwood Pennewell, in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from May 1 through June 2, 2019.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) is proud to announce the cast for the Regional Premiere of THE BODYGUARD, playing April 26 - May 12, 2019. Based on the 1992 Oscar-nominated film that starred Whitney Houston, THE BODYGUARD is a breathtakingly romantic thriller. When former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker, each expects to be in charge; what they don't expect is to fall in love. THE BODYGUARD features a host of Whitney Houston's chart-topping greatest hits including: "I Have Nothing", 'One Moment in Time", "Run to You", "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and one of the best-selling songs of all time, "I Will Always Love You".

The Vintage Tour will make its way to Shea's Buffalo Theatre on Friday, March 22nd. Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award-winning gospel great Fred Hammond ("Blessed") is bringing back the Festival of Praise Tour for 2019 with an inspiring and all new line up for "The Vintage Tour".

THE GAME, a new musical with book and lyrics by Eric Kornfeld and music by John McDaniel, will be presented in a private industry presentation, Thursday, December 6 at 3:30pm and Friday, December 7, 2018 at 11am. Presentations will be held at Pearl Studios.

While its original production, as most Broadway shows go, offered the expected big sets, first-rate costumes, and impressive production values, the 2015 Tony Award-winning revival production of THE COLOR PUPLE---currently slaying audiences for a week-long stop at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through June 24---is decidedly more subdued and scaled-down by comparison, allowing the songs, the story, and the cast performances to shine on their own merits instead. The resulting show is a powerful, uplifting one, bathed in a loving, spiritual embrace that shines a light on the struggles, the insecurities, the passions, and the tenacity of African-American women living in the early decades of the 20th Century. I can say without hesitation that this revival production is an excellent way to experience this beautiful, touching, and ultimately triumphant musical.

Do you have a burning question for Norm Lewis or Tamyra Gray? On Friday, February 23, (5:30pm EST) BroadwayWorld's Steve Schonberg is getting up close and personal with Once on This Island's newest stars. Don't forget to tune in to our official Facebook page to submit your questions live or send us questions in advance on Twitter @BroadwayWorld with #AskNormandTamyraBWW.

TEG-DAINTY and Nice Events announce that Broadway actor and Streamy Award winner Todrick Hall will bring his world tour Todrick Hall American: The Forbidden Tour to Australia and New Zealand in June 2018.

Do you have a burning question for Norm Lewis or Tamyra Gray? On Friday, February 23, (5:30pm EST) BroadwayWorld's Steve Schonberg is getting up close and personal with Once on This Island's newest stars. Don't forget to tune in to our official Facebook page to submit your questions live or send us questions in advance on Twitter @BroadwayWorld with #AskNormandTamyraBWW.

Premiering March 2, Laurieann Gibson: Beyond the Spotlight showcases the famed choreographer working with some of the biggest names in music and Love at First Flight, takes relationships to new heights when newly matched couples head off on a cross-country adventure and must decide whether to get married or go their separate ways after their life-changing trip, beginning March 20.

When THE COLOR PURPLE opened on Broadway in 2005 it was well received, thanks in large part to the support of producing partner Oprah Winfrey, whose performance in the film twenty years earlier earned her an Academy Award nomination. The show left New York on a high note in 2008 and continued to tour through three separate national tours for several years. Flash forward to 2015, and a new interpretation of the Broadway musical has made its way back to the Great White Way. And amongst the relevant #metoo movement, the compelling story of THE COLOR PURPLE sings louder and prouder today than ever.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Broadway veterans Norm Lewis and Tamyra Gray have just stepped into the roles of Agwe and Papa Ge, in Once on This Island.

Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and multi-platinum producer has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, with over 12 #1 hits reaching both gold and platinum status. A Christian Music Icon whose music reaches people from all walks of life. Chance the Rapper recently released a remake of Fred Hammond's song 'Are You Ready' and Jamie Foxx sang his song 'No Weapon' during his NAACP awards acceptance speech. He's worked with and admired by several well-known artists including Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, 2017's 'The Voice' winner Chris Blue, 'American Idol Winners Reuben Studdard & Fantasia Barrino, Boyz II Men, and Jodeci to name a few.

The producers of Broadway's newest hit, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, announced today that Broadway veterans Norm Lewis and Tamyra Gray will step into the roles of Agwe and Papa Ge, respectively, on January 8. Merle Dandridge exits for a contractual leave to shoot her television series Greenleaf. Quentin Earl Darrington will also be on a contractual leave.

The producers of Broadway's newest hit, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, announced today that Broadway veterans Norm Lewis and Tamyra Gray will step into the roles of Agwe and Papa Ge, respectively, on January 8. Merle Dandridge exits for a contractual leave to shoot her television series Greenleaf. Quentin Earl Darrington will also be on a contractual leave.

Broadway Actor and Streamy Award Winner Todrick Hall, who's currently starring in Chicago on Broadway, announced his new world tour Todrick Hall American: The Forbidden Tour. The tour will feature a brand new storyline with new songs, costumes, and production and will travel throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The 50+ city tour will kick off March 29th in Ventura, CA at the Majestic Theatre with stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, London, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney and more. Tickets & VIP packages for the Hall American World Tour go on sale beginning Friday, December 15th. Todrick Hall fan club members may purchase tickets & VIP packages in advance beginning Wednesday, December 13th. Please go to www.TodrickHall.com for more info.

Grammy- and Emmy-nominated musical artist Katy Perry, country music superstar Luke Bryan and music icon Lionel Richie, arrived in true New Orleans fashion as ABC's AMERICAN IDOL judge auditions rolled on this weekend in 'The Big Easy.'

ABC is bringing back AMERICAN IDOL! The network has closed an agreement with producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group.

On today's LIVE WITH KELLY AND RYAN, host Ryan Seacrest responded to rumors that he will return as host of AMERICAN IDOL, reportedly coming to ABC in 2018. Watch the clip below!