Lileana Blain-Cruz News

IAMA Theatre Company concludes its 18th season with the workshop production of …but you could’ve held my hand. Check out photos of the production.

Black Women on Broadway (BWOB) recently held its fifth annual awards celebration, honoring Debra Martin Chase, Whitney White, Alana Raquel Bowers, and Destiny Lilly for their contributions to the theater industry. The event was hosted by BWOB co-founders Danielle Brooks, Amber Iman, and Jocelyn Bioh.

IAMA Theatre Company will conclude its 18th season with the workshop production of …but you could’ve held my hand. Written by JuCoby Johnson and directed by H. Adam Harris. 

IAMA Theatre Company will close its 18th season with a workshop production of ...BUT YOU COULD'VE HELD MY HAND, written by JuCoby Johnson and directed by H. Adam Harris, at Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles.

The Metropolitan Opera has revealed its 2026–27 season, featuring five new and 12 repertory productions, a special 60th-anniversary gala, and performances of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Performances are now underway for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. The Broadway-aimed production is playing at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis. Read the reviews for Purple Rain here!

When the lights went down inside the State Theatre and the opening chords of “Let’s Go Crazy” rang out, it was clear that Purple Rain had come home. The new stage musical, based on Prince’s 1984 film, is making its world premiere in Minneapolis before heading to Broadway—and it feels like the city has wrapped its arms around it.

You can now get a first look at photos of the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. The cast features Kris Kollins, who is making his professional stage debut in the lead role of The Kid.

Due to audience demand, producer Orin Wolf and Hennepin Arts are pleased to announce that the stage adaptation of the iconic film PURPLE RAIN will rock the historic State Theatre for one additional week.

The world premiere musical adaptation, PURPLE RAIN, will play at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis. Get a first look at the video for 'I Would Die 4 U'. Watch here!

The complete cast has been revealed for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here!

The cast members who will lead the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of PURPLE RAIN have been revealed. See who is starring and learn more about the world premiere production.

The Assembly has announced the fifth cohort of its Deceleration Lab, supporting two new collaborative theatre projects: Black Reconstruction in America by Alle Mims and Dezi Tibbs, and 心esthesia by Tianding He, Xuanqi Liu, and Menghang Wu. Public showings to be announced.

New York Theatre Workshop has revealed the individuals selected for the 2025/26 Season 2050 Administrative and Artistic Fellowships. Learn more about the artists here!

New York Theatre Workshop is now presenting Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole, written by Tony and Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo and NYTW Artistic Director and Usual Suspect Patricia McGregor, and directed by McGregor. Check out photos from opening night.

Zora Howard’s BUST: AN AFROCURRENTIST PLAY opens with a mystery. In Huntsville, Alabama, Retta (Caroline Stefanie Clay) and Reggie (Ray Anthony Thomas) witness an all too familiar interaction between their friend Randy (Keith Randolph Smith) and two police officers — Tomlin (Mark Bedard) and Ramirez (Jorge Luna). But in the wake of Randy’s rage at the officers, something mysterious and surprising happens...keeping him safe from harm. It’s tough to write about the specifics of BUST because to reveal some of the play's secrets is to ruin the mystery for audiences. But Howard’s set-up essentially asks the question: What happens when Black rage is repackaged into a magical force and potentially one to keep the person experiencing it safe? 

Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Zora Howard’s groundbreaking, laugh-out-loud new drama, BUST, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, opens tonight. Check out photos from the production. Check out photos and video from the production.

Tickets for the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of Prince's legendary film and album, PURPLE RAIN, will go on sale on Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m..

Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s The Listeners will the Lyric Opera of Chicago stage beginning Sunday, March 30 for a limited run of five performances. 

The cast has been set for Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Zora Howard's new drama, BUST, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz. Learn more about the upcoming show here!