Leslie Uggams News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: NYMF kicks off tonight with a concert celebrating some of the musical theatre world's top composers, James Franco directs THE LONG SHRIFT off-Broadway and more!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, July 6, 2014 - Sunday, July 6, 2014.

We've been waiting for this! Check out the first photo of Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, in GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Connecticut Repertory Theatre onstage July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre.

FoxCT recently interviewed stars of CT Rep's GYPSY, Alanna Saunders as 'June' and Amandina Altomare as 'Louise' - both actresses also performed 'If Mama Were Married'. Watch them below!

If anyone was destined for a career in the arts, it was Leslie Uggams. With a father who was a singer and a mother who was a dancer, it was appropriate that Leslie would be a professional by the age of six. She attended school with the composer, Marvin Hamlish and the son of Gypsy Rose Lee and Otto Preminger, Erik Lee Preminger. Ms. Uggams has worked with everyone from Ethel Waters to Kermit the frog. Yet, it is her latest venture that proves there are still many barriers to break for African Americans in the industry.

Visitors at the famed Ogunquit Playhouse can now get a behind the scene tour of this historic theater. See what the actors see from the backstage area and beyond.

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggamswould be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable, running July 10-20. Uggams, who will be the first African American actress to play the iconic role, recently visited local news station WFSB, and opened up about joining show business at a young age, the production, and more. Check out her interview below!

More impressive than two good actors doing what they do best, however, is how Ruiz, pictured right with Kline, fits perfectly in to the mix. He has stood out in roles at CT Rep's My Fair Lady, The Music Man and Man of LaMancha as well as in Yale Rep'sAmerican Night, but really shines here. He conveys real affection for his uncle, admiration for Al and somehow manages to be engaging without getting in the way of the veterans.

Tonight June 24, from 7 to 10 PM, Will Friedwald's 'Clip Joint: A Video Music Mixtape' is set for The Independence Day Americana Special.

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.

According to Deadline, Rob Ashford recently helmed a reading for Alfred Uhry's musical version of John Berendt's 1994 best selling book MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL. Producers Craig Haffner and and Anne Hamburger revealed intentions to take the new musical to London next, prior to a Broadway run. The cast for the reading included: Tony Goldwyn, Leslie Uggams, Peter Cincotti, Jessica Molaskey, Michael Park and Jake Robinson. A workshop is reportedly set for September- casting has not yet been announced.

On Tuesday June 24, from 7 to 10 PM, Will Friedwald's 'Clip Joint: A Video Music Mixtape' is set for The Independence Day Americana Special.

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of The Color Purple at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street on Friday, June 20, 2014 with a Preview tonight, June 19. The show runs through August 3, 2014.

Connecticut's theater season heats up during the summer with regular and summer series offerings. Some of the top picks I am looking forward to:

James Rocco's BROADWAY SONGBOOK series at The Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn., is a treasure for anyone who has an iPod full of showtunes (me: guilty!) and should earn continuing education credits for audience members who gain a wealth of knowledge in theatre history over the course of the show.

Acclaimed vocal supergroup Broadway Inspirational Voices have surpassed the Kickstarter goal for their new album GREAT JOY II.

There may not have been 76 trombones, but Florence Henderson and Constantine Maroulis did excellent impersonations of librarian Marian Paroo and Harold Hill of 'The Music Man' fame, as they lead a 28 piece marching Broadway band into the Skirball Cultural Center in the new Guerin Pavilion/Herscher Hall to begin an evening of co-hosting for the Actors Fund's 18th Annual Tony Awards® Party. Check out the photos below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: It's Tonys weekend, of course!

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.

Broadway legend Leslie Uggams returns to 54 Below for two performances only! Best known for her Tony Award-winning role in Hallelujah, Baby!, as well as the groundbreaking miniseries, Roots, Ms. Uggams' storied career has spanned television (her own CBS variety show), film (Skyjacked) and Broadway (Her First Roman, Blues in the Night, Jerry's Girls, Anything Goes, King Headley II, Thoroughly Modern Millie, On Golden Pond). This June, look for Leslie delighting audiences on West 54th Street. Get your tickets now - they'll go fast! $40-50 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.