Lelund Durond News

Looking over The Ensemble Theatre's upcoming 40th anniversary season, entitled Dawn of a New Decade, Ensemble Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris could only think one thing. 'Wow, this entire season really has the woman's voice at the helm!'

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) (Ty Jones, Producing Artistic Director; David Roberts, Managing Director), will open its spring season with their 2nd Annual Spring Fundraiser, April 11, 2016. An intimate evening of music featuring the breathtaking vocals of Mykal Kilgore, most recently seen at CTH as Benny Raindrop in The Classical Theatre of Harlem's original musical, The First Noel at The Apollo Theater, and NBC's The Wiz Live. The Classical Theatre of Harlem's 2016 season is rounded out with its yearly free Uptown Shakespeare in the Park production of Macbeth in the summer, a new production of Fit For the Queen by renowned playwright Betty Shamieh, its ongoing monthly Reading Series, and the Apollo Theater mainstage production of The First Noel. 

Miller Theatre inaugurates a new holiday tradition, a playful production that brings to life Saint-Saens' musical 'salute to feathers, fur, and fins' - CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS. A modern twist on Victorian toy theater, this imaginative staging combines music, scenic elements, puppetry, and movement, plus the clever verses of Ogden Nash. Curtain-raisers from the 16th Century to present-day set the stage and kindle the spirit of the holidays. Just about an hour in length, this family-friendly presentation is the perfect December treat to delight imaginative audiences of all ages.

This holiday season, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, in collaboration with the Apollo Theater, presents the world premiere of The First Noel. This Harlem- based holiday musical features music that crosses genres-from pop to jazz to gospel - to tell a universal story of love and belonging. Book, lyrics and music by Jason Michael Webb (Motown: The Musical, Violetand The Color Purple) and Lelund Durond Thompson (founder, YellaFella Entertainment and CTH Artistic Associate). Steve H. Broadnax III (Dominique Morisseau's Blood at the Root) serves as director and Brian Harlan Brooks (Motown: The Musical) as choreographer for this holiday presentation, which will take place in the Apollo's soundstage. The First Noel, commissioned by The Classical Theatre of Harlem and in association with Penn State Centre Stage, has been in development for three years and is intended to become a Harlem holiday classic. 

This holiday season, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, in collaboration with the Apollo Theater, presents the world premiere of The First Noel. This Harlem- based holiday musical features music that crosses genres-from pop to jazz to gospel - to tell a universal story of love and belonging. Book, lyrics and music by Jason Michael Webb (Motown: The Musical, Violetand The Color Purple) and Lelund Durond Thompson (founder, YellaFella Entertainment and CTH Artistic Associate). Steve H. Broadnax III (Dominique Morisseau's Blood at the Root) serves as director and Brian Harlan Brooks (Motown: The Musical) as choreographer for this holiday presentation, which will take place in the Apollo's soundstage. The First Noel, commissioned by The Classical Theatre of Harlem and in association with Penn State Centre Stage, has been in development for three years and is intended to become a Harlem holiday classic. 

Miller Theatre inaugurates a new holiday tradition, a playful production that brings to life Saint-Saens' musical 'salute to feathers, fur, and fins' - CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS. A modern twist on Victorian toy theater, this imaginative staging combines music, scenic elements, puppetry, and movement, plus the clever verses of Ogden Nash. Curtain-raisers from the 16th Century to present-day set the stage and kindle the spirit of the holidays. Just about an hour in length, this family-friendly presentation is the perfect December treat to delight imaginative audiences of all ages.

Theater and Harlem luminaries converged on the Apollo Theater Soundstage on Monday to mark the 15th anniversary of The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) (Ty Jones, Producing Artistic Director; David Roberts, Managing Director). Hosted by actor Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton, Law & Order: SVU, Person of Interest andSmash), CTH's 15th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit Concert featured the New York premiere of songs from the eagerly anticipated off-Broadway musical Witness Ugandaby Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews. Scroll down for photos!

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) announces plans for its landmark 2015 season. The Harlem-based American theatre company will present its 15th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit Concert this spring, featuring songs from the eagerly anticipated musical Witness Uganda, winner of the American Academy of Arts and Letters 2014 Richard Rodgers Production Award for Musical Theater; a free summer production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest; and the winter holiday world premiere of a new CTH-commissioned musical, The First Noel.

16-time Grammy Award-winner Sting will be featured on the annual holiday music CD, Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Vol. 16. Singing with the cast of 'The Last Ship,' ­­­­and playing acoustic guitar accompanied by a full band, Sting has created an original version of 'Soul Cake.'

ANTHEM (www.AnthemThePlay.com), based on Ayn Rand's novel adapted and composed by Jeff Britting will conclude its Off-Broadway run at The Baryshnikov Arts Center today, November 3rd. At the time of closing, ANTHEM will have played 13 previews and 32 regular performances.

ANTHEM (www.AnthemThePlay.com), based on Ayn Rand's novel adapted and composed by Jeff Britting will conclude its Off-Broadway run at The Baryshnikov Arts Center on November 3rd. At the time of closing, ANTHEM will have played 13 previews and 32 regular performances.

ANTHEM, presented by The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company based on the acclaimed Ayn Rand novel, announced that Nadine Strossen, former president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the first woman and youngest person to ever lead the ACLU will be participating in a talkback following the 8pm performance onTuesday, October 15th. ANTHEM plays at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street).

ANTHEM, a stage adaption of Ayn Rand's novel. Adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives, Anthem plays at The Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of Ayn Rand's novel ANTHEM, adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives. Previews for ANTHEM began September 25 at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of Ayn Rand's novel ANTHEM. Adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives, previews for ANTHEM begin tonight, September 25 at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013.

Stars and casts from the current Broadway line-up have been busy in the studio, recording for the 2013 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 15. Singing traditional and original holiday songs, this annual holiday music CD benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive photos from Perez Hilton's recording session for 'Perez' 2013 Holiday Dishlist.'

ANTHEM, a stage adaption of Ayn Rand's novel. Adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives, ANTHEM plays at The Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

This Fall will bring with it ten new Broadway plays and five new Broadway musicals, and yet there is even more on the way for Off-Broadway, including: ALL THE FACES OF THE MOON, ARGUENDO, THE OLD FRIENDS, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN, BIKE AMERICA, NATURAL AFFECTION, FUN HOME, BAD JEWS, LADY DAY, ANTHEM, GRASSES OF A THOUSAND COLORS, THE PATRON SAINT OF SEA MONSTERS, THE JACKSONIAN, HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED, CHERI, DOMESTICATED, LIES MY FATHER TOLD ME, THE (CURIOUS CASE OF THE) WATSON INTELLIGENCE, and THE COMMONS OF PENSACOLA.

The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of Ayn Rand's novel ANTHEM. Adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives, previews for ANTHEM begin September 25 at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare's popular story of illusive and abiding love, opened Saturday to cheers and a robust crowd at Harlem's Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. The show, produced by the Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) (Producing Artistic Director, Ty Jones), is directed by CTH Artistic Associate and Oberlin College Professor of Theater and Africana Studies Justin Emeka and runs Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 pm through July 20. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!