Lynn Nottage's most recent play, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, takes a look at a serious topic in a lighthearted way. Through humor tinged with pathos, we see Vera Stark shapeshift to fit the expectations of the racial stereotypes of the 1930s.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mo'Nique says she's been 'blackballed,' following her 'Supporting Actress' Oscar win for 2009's PRECIOUS.
In BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, now playing at Penumbra Theatre as part of their 'Womansong' season, the title character is a black actress in 1930s Hollywood who gets her big break playing a loyal slave in an antebellum Southern melodrama. She imbues the stereotypical role with as much humanity and depth as possible, and so begins a long and successful career, until she mysteriously disappears from the spotlight. Vera is a controversial figure because on the one hand her characters perpetuate the stereotypes seen in movies, but on the other hand she makes her characters as real as possible and has built a successful career for herself and opened doors for black actors in Hollywood. The play examines these issues in a funny, entertaining, innovative way, jumping across time and using video of Vera's first movie.
The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie,Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. BroadwayWorld brings you more photos from inside the concert below!
The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie,Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worshamas Magnolia. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the concert below!
The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie,Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worshamas Magnolia. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night curtain call below!
The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie, Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williams as Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. All cast members will be making their New York Philharmonic debuts in this production. As previously announced, the performances will be conducted and directed by Ted Sperling and choreographed by Randy Skinner. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the concert below!
The New York Philharmonic will soon present a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, November 5-8, 2014.As previously announced, the New York Philharmonic's production of Show Boat will star Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie, Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal,Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. All cast members will be making their New York Philharmonic debuts in this production. As previously announced, the performances will be conducted and directed by Ted Sperling and choreographed by Randy Skinner.
The production will be telecast nationally on Live From Lincoln Center on PBS stations. The air date will be announced at a later time. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the rehearsal room below!
The New York Philharmonic has announced final principal cast members for its semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, November 5-8, 2014: Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress Jane Alexander will portray Parthy, and Erika Henningsen will portray Kim.
This season's revival of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning play YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU opens on Broadway tonight, and in honor of the playwriting pair's long list of contributions to the theatre, we've rounded up some of their most notable works. Scroll down to learn more about the duo's canon!
The New York Philharmonic has announced several additions to the cast of the semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, November 5-8, 2014: Tony-nominated actor Christopher Fitzgerald (who will portray Frank); Tony-nominated actor Norm Lewis, who appeared on Broadway as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess (Joe); Broadway performer Alli Mauzey (Ellie); Broadway and television performer Edward Watts (Steve); Emmy- nominated comedic stage and screen actor Fred Willard (Cap'n Andy); and Broadway performer NaTasha Yvette Williams (Queenie).
The Pasadena Playhouse welcomes Wayne Brady as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from today, September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate.
White Witch, a new contemporary American opera, will have its world premiere in October 2014 in New York City. The work, with music by Brian Schober and libretto by Joan Ross Sorkin, is a one-act monodrama for voice and percussion
Pasadena Playhouse presents Kiss Me, Kate from Sept. 16 to Oct. 12. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, and directed by Sheldon Epps.
The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that Wayne Brady will star as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate.
NEWSIES welcomes back original cast member Capathia Jenkins in the role of 'Medda Larkin'. Jenkins, who originated the role on Broadway, begins performances tonight, July 15 and will remain with the hit musical through its final performance on August 24.