Jewelle Blackman News

A friendly reminder that there are just two weeks until the world premiere engagement of SOUSATZKA, with book by Craig Lucas, music by David Shire, and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., based on the original novel 'Madame Sousatzka' by Bernice Rubens, begins in Toronto! Previews start February 25, and opening night is March 23, 2017.

SOUSATZKA may be Broadway-bound, but first it stops in Toronto for a strictly limited engagement through April 9, 2017. The cast is in rehearsal today and BroadwayWorld will be giving you an exciting inside look! Belo, check out an exclusive sneak peek of Montego Glover singing 'Song of the Child.'

SOUSATZKA may be Broadway-bound, but first it stops in Toronto for a strictly limited engagement through April 9, 2017. The cast is in rehearsal today and BroadwayWorld will be giving you an exciting inside look! Tune in for our Facebook Live broadcast here!

Based on the original novel Madame Sousatzka written by Bernice Rubens, SOUSATZKA is set in London, England in 1982 and tells the story of a musical prodigy torn between two powerful women from vastly different worlds: his mother, a political refugee from South Africa and his piano teacher, a brilliant eccentric with a shattered past. These two proud, iconoclastic women must ultimately cross cultural and racial divides to find common ground, or else jeopardize the young musician's destiny.

HOW BLACK MOTHERS SAY I LOVE YOU, presented by Trey Anthony Studios in association with Girls with Bow Ties, is a raw and honest portrayal of the choices many mothers have made in effort to create a better home for their families. Written and directed by award-winning playwright Trey Anthony (Da Kink in My Hair) the play makes its world premiere in Toronto on May 7 and runs May 5 - 15 at the Factory Studio Theatre (125 Bathurst Street), just in time for Mother's Day.

Set deep in the heart of the French Antilles, Once On This Island is a love story for all ages. When the dark skinned Ti Moune falls in love with Daniel, a lighter-skinned upper-class man, the gods send her on a journey which tests the power of love against the fear of death. With a joyful Caribbean infused score, dazzling choreography, and stunning theatrical staging, this Olivier award-winning musical will whisk you away on a journey you will not soon forget.

I left the theatre relaxed, with a smile on my face, and a heart full of joy. More importantly, I left with a renewed sense of the inter-connectedness that we all share, and love's immense value in the world today. And if that doesn't warm your heart than maybe you don't have one. Don't miss this show. It's good for the heart. Once On This Island runs at Toronto's Daniels Spectrum Theatre, 585 Dundas St. East only until February 9, 2014.

The stars came out on Monday night to toast the 100th birthday of Toronto's historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres. Dubbed the 'chandelier gala' the fun filled evening was designed to celebrate the last remaining double decker theatre in the world and to raise money to restore it's gorgeous chandelier. On hand were cast members from the all Canadian company of CATS, Stratford Festival's production of Tommy, as well as many people performing from shows gone by such as Joseph, Ain't Misbehaving, Crazy for You and more. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.

The who's who of Canadian theatre comes together tonight, October 7 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elgin Theatre with the Chandelier Gala ? an evening of song, dance and comedy.

2013 marks the 100th birthday of two of Toronto's (and the world's) most gorgeous theatres, the Elgin and Wintergarden Theatres on Yonge Street. To celebrate, there is a gala performance next Monday night featuring some of the best and brightest of Toronto's theatrical past performing from many of the shows that have graced the stages of these two theatres. BWW is thrilled to bring readers exclusive photos from the past 100 years of these gorgeous theatres.

The who's who of Canadian theatre comes together on Monday, October 7 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elgin Theatre with the Chandelier Gala ? an evening of song, dance and comedy.

According to an inside source, Stephen Brian Patterson has taken over as 'Captain Walker' in TOMMY at the Stratford Festival. Jeremy Kushnier left the role on August 4. Patterson joins Robert Markus and Paul Nolan in Des McAnuff's new Stratford Festival rock musical, The Who's Tommy, at the Avon Theatre in Ontario through October 19.

Stratford Festival's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF leaves very few human emotions un-experienced by its characters and the audience alike. It explores: human values, happiness in everyday life, newfound love, fear of changes-big and small, the agony and frustration that comes from ignorance and discrimination, and the internal conflict of trying to rectify what you believe with what that means for those you love. This musical is about tradition, joy, heartache, change, faith, family, and most of all…LIFE. FIDDLER is a beloved classic, and to say Director/Choreographer, Donna Feore's production does it justice, is an understatement. First class acting, singing, and dancing; beautiful music; clever set design, and…did I say DANCING? This timeless musical is sure to dazzle audiences of all ages.

Twenty years after its Broadway premiere, Tommy returns to the stage in a new production helmed by its co-creator and original director, Des McAnuff at the Stratford Festival. The spectacular musical that swept the Tony Awards in 1993 started previews on Saturday, May 4, at the Avon Theatre, and plays through October 19. Check out 'Pinball Wizard' and 'I'm Free' below!

Robert Markus, Paul Nolan and Jeremy Kushnier star in Des McAnuff's new Stratford Festival rock musical, The Who's Tommy, opening May 30 at the Avon Theatre in Ontario and running through October 19.

The Stratford Festival is officially home of one of the newest GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. One hundred 'pinball wizards' took over First Canadian Place in Toronto today to successfully log the greatest number of pinball machines being played simultaneously at a single venue.

The third rock musical produced by the Festival in recent years, Tommy will be the biggest musical ever staged at Stratford. The show features massive LED screens and extraordinary automated set pieces that light up, explode, spin and tilt - get a first look below!

Based on The Who's 1969 concept album of the same name, Tommy tells the story of a young man who, despite having lost the faculties of speech, sight and hearing, becomes a pinball virtuoso - and the centre of a celebrity cult. In a new production helmed by its original Tony Award-winning director, Des McAnuff (who co-wrote the show with The Who's Pete Townshend), the explosive rock opera features such unforgettable hits as 'Pinball Wizard,' 'See Me, Feel Me,' 'Acid Queen' and 'We're Not Gonna Take It.'

Based on The Who's 1969 concept album of the same name, Tommy tells the story of a young man who, despite having lost the faculties of speech, sight and hearing, becomes a pinball virtuoso - and the centre of a celebrity cult. In a new production helmed by its original Tony Award-winning director, Des McAnuff (who co-wrote the show with The Who's Pete Townshend), the explosive rock opera features such unforgettable hits as 'Pinball Wizard,' 'See Me, Feel Me,' 'Acid Queen' and 'We're Not Gonna Take It.' The production features Robert Markus as Tommy, Jewelle Blackman as the Gypsy, Kira Guloien as Mrs. Walker, Jeremy Kushnier as Captain Walker, Paul Nolan as Cousin Kevin and Steve Ross as Uncle Ernie. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the cast in action below!

Calling all pinball wizards! The Stratford Festival invites you to be a part of history. Today, May 16, the Festival will be in Toronto to host Pinballapalooza, an exciting event to celebrate the opening of its much-anticipated rock musical, Tommy.