Laiona Michelle News

Captain Rob Wellman's perfect life starts to unravel when a fellow veteran seeking justice shows up threatening to expose a hidden past. From the author of last season's American Son, this probing drama shines a light on how America honors its veterans, the corrupting effect of awards and commendations, and questions what it truly means to be a hero. American Hero joins American Son and a yet-to-be titled new work to create a trilogy of plays that explore American injustice. American Hero is the recipient of the Steinberg Award Citation from the American Theatre Critics Association.

George Street Playhouse, now located at 103 College Farm Road in New Brunswick, announced today that Playhouse favorites John Bolger (last season's American Son, 2014's Outside Mullingar) and Armand Schultz (The Spitfire Grill, Jolson Sings Again), as well as Broadway's Kally Duling (Fun Home) and Laiona Michelle (Amazing Grace) have been cast in Christopher Demos-Brown's gripping military drama American Hero, on stage January 30 through February 25.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens their season with an amazing bit of brilliance called THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, adapted from the novel by Mark Haddon by playwright Simon Stephens. It's a story filled with marvelous touches that plunges you into a world filtered through the view of a fifteen year old boy who is dealing with what we might perceive as a kind of autism, with aspects of Asperger syndrome, among other personality traits. In fact, it's never truly specified as such. But the story itself is really a mystery, and one that, when solved, only produces further inquiry. It's a superbly acted, imaginatively staged tale, that will engage, stun, and delight you. It's a must-see experience on every level!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is proud to announce its cast and creative team for its 2017-2018 season opener, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This talented group of artists will bring the 2015 Tony Award winner for Best Play to The Rep stage, September 6 - October 1.

Artistic Director Devanand Janki was recently honored by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society for the creation and ongoing leadership of the Bingham Camp Theatre Retreat. Janki and BCTR were lauded for their premiere of a new musical written and performed by actors of color which has garnered artistic praise and tangible commercial interest for future projects.

VSC's and NSU's Co-production of THE WIZ runs through April 30 at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk.

Bingham Camp Theatre Retreat, the innovative theatrical program dedicated to creating new work that promotes and celebrates diversity, brings "The Family Resemblance" to New York City with a reading on Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Chelsea Studios.

Christian Dante White has teamed with Brent Dundore to create Broadway Legacy, a photographic and editorial exhibition that celebrates African-American achievement in the Broadway industry. Broadway veteran John Eric Parker serves as styling consultant. 

The innovative program dubbed by Seth Rudetsky as "theater camp for Broadway professionals," returns to the tiny bedroom community of Salem, CT for its sophomore retreat next week.  Bingham Camp Theatre Retreat (BCTR), a resident theater program aimed at developing new works is set to take place September 14 - 25 at the Bingham Camp.  

Casting has been announced for the new musicals in development at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference later this month. Among the actors premiering new work are Adam Chanler-Berat, Erin Davie, Colin Hanlon, Kevin Mambo, Matt Von Roderick, Christina Sajous, and Remy Zaken.

Accidental Pictures presents the online poetry miniseries entitled THE PRIDE PROJECT. They release seven poems every Monday for seven consecutive weeks through June 27th, 2016 on Facebook and YouTube. These poems, written by Timothy Ware (Broadway's KINKY BOOTS), are performed by 10 American actors of African, Latin, Asian, and European descent. Click below to watch Episode 4, 'The T-Word', starring starring Laiona Michelle and Kimberly Marable.

Accidental Pictures is proud to introduce an online poetry miniseries entitled THE PRIDE PROJECT. They will release seven poems every Monday for seven consecutive weeks from May 16th- June 27th, 2016 on Facebook and YouTube. These poems, written by Timothy Ware (Broadway's KINKY BOOTS), are performed by 10 American actors of African, Latin, Asian, and European descent.

Dozens of Broadway and music celebs joined Leslie Becker last Thursday at The Vanity in NYC for the celebration of her debut single release SLOW BURN. Guests were treated to a live performance by Leslie which included 'Slow Burn' and the first performance of her new single 'Confidential,' featuring dancers Timothy Wilson and Anthony Alfaro. (Choreographed by Yoav Levin).

This coming Sunday, May 1, 2016, will mark the debut of Broadway's Discoettes, a group made up of theater favorites Carmen Ruby Floyd, Harriett D. Foy and Laiona Michelle. The group will strut their stuff, and sing some great disco hits, at the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation (ADRLF) Disco Bowl Spring Fling Benefit. The event, hosted by Emmy Award-winning television personality, Carson Kressley (Dancing with the Stars, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), will feature hours of bowling, free sangria, beer and bites, before the fabulous concert.

On Sunday May 1, 2016, to kick off National Hepatitis Awareness month, the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation (ADRLF) will host The Disco Bowl Spring Fling Benefit. The event will be hosted by the Emmy Award-winning television personality, Carson Kressley (Dancing with the Stars, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy); and will feature a disco-inspired musical performance by Broadway's sizzling Discoettes: After Midnight's Carmen Ruby Floyd, Amazing Grace's Harriett D. Foy, and Amazing Grace's Laiona Michelle. The Total Bent's Kenny Brawner will also perform with the Discoettes, including taking the lead on "YMCA."

DMI Soundtracks announced today that the Broadway cast album of Amazing Grace will be released on February 26; with digital download pre-orders available on February 12. Amazing Grace will be available to purchase on all digital download and streaming services, as well as in-store. The recording was co-produced and engineered by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti and co-produced and arranged by Joseph Church.

Happy New Year, BroadwayWorld! As we eagerly anticipate the amazing musicals and plays coming up in 2016, we're taking a moment to look back at the significant Broadway closings of 2015.

The producers of Amazing Grace just announced that DMI Soundtracks will record the Broadway cast album of Amazing Grace on Monday, November 2nd. The album will be available in January, 2016. The recording will be produced and engineered by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti. The tracklist for the digital album and CD is as follows:

To celebrate the show's time on Broadway, we're flashing back to its road to the Great White Way!

Welcome to THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with your favorite Broadway stars. Want to know what hooked them to a career in the theater? Their dream roles? Their Broadway crushes? Read on! In this week's edition, we caught up with Laiona Michelle, who stars as 'Nanna' in Amazing Grace, currently playing at the NederlanderTheatre.