Louis Gossett News

Three new faces have been added to the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple. Terrence J. Smith will take on the role of 'Adam', Tiffany Elle Burgess will play 'Olivia', and Aba Arthur will also join the cast.

The musical, featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms, has a book by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The film, directed by Blitz Bazawule, will star Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and more.

Jon Batiste has joined the cast of the upcoming musical film adaption of The Color Purple. Batiste will make his feature film acting debut in the film as Grady, a piano man and the husband of Shug Avery, played here by Taraji P. Henson. Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and more are set for the film.

Elizabeth Marvel will play the role of Miss Millie, the unpleasant wife of the mayor, who hires Sofia to be her maid. The film is currently in production in Georgia. Marvel joins a star-studded cast including Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Ciara, Corey Hawkins, Colman Domingo, H.E.R., and Aunjanue Ellis.

Today's top stories include an upcoming North American tour of MJ the Musical, set to begin in 2023. Plus, Ben Levi Ross returns to Dear Evan Hansen, additional casting for The Color Purple film, and more!

Joining the cast are Louis Gossett, Jr. as 'Ol' Mister', David Alan Grier as 'Reverend Avery', Tamela J. Mann as 'First Lady', Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as 'Young Celie', Deon Cole as 'Alfonso', and Stephen Hill as 'Buster'.

To commemorate the life of prolific actor, director and cultural icon Sidney Poitier, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, January 19 at exactly 7:45PM.

In celebration of Pride Month, Palm Beach Dramaworks' Contemporary Voices series will shine the spotlight on playwright Michael McKeever in June. This free, online series features live readings and discussions of plays by a cross-section of some of the finest American playwrights working in theatre today.

What happens to a dream deferred? In the South Side of Chicago, a poor black family struggles to stay afloat as they search for financial stability and a place to call home. Tensions flare as the generations reach for different dreams and prejudice seeps into their lives.

To replace the originally scheduled Richard Bona and Alfredo Rodríguez Band and Pedrito Martínez Group concert on October 24, Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, has programed a special concert and free livestream, Music from The Cuban, featuring Hilario Durán, on the same date.

After two successful concerts at Mazzoleni Concert Hall in September, The Royal Conservatory is committed to bringing inspiring and uplifting live music in a way that is safe and responsible to music lovers.

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were held virtually last night, and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

Winner of more than +16 awards and opening nationwide to audiences in movie theaters and VOD streaming on Friday, 25 September 2020.

The Shift Network has announced The Shift Summit & Music Festival, set to begin on September 18th and lead up to the International Day of Peace, September 21st, 2020.

Looking for something new to read while staying inside, but still need your Broadway fix? We've rounded up 10 of our favorite books on directing!

HBO will offer all nine episodes of the series WATCHMEN for free starting FRIDAY, JUNE 19 through SUNDAY, June 21 exclusively on HBO.com and Free On Demand, as an extension of the network's content offering highlighting Black experiences, voices and storytellers. The network will also air a marathon of the series on HBO and HBO Latino starting at 1:00 p.m. ET/PT on Friday, June 19.

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the 101 greatest protest songs from 1939-2020. See if your favorite songs or artists made the list!

AXS TV presents an insightful look back at one of America's most important decades in the all-new Sunday morning series The 1960s Rediscovered—airing Sundays at 9 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. CT through August 9.

Theater has always been an outlet for creative minds to discuss the issues that plague our society, whether it's racism, income inequality, or the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Learn our picks for musicals and plays that deal with important social topics.

The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) presented more than 240 independent films to +15,000 viewers virtually through parallel and dynamic digital streaming in light of the global COVID-19 crisis, and the announcement from the Governor of the State of New Jersey further restricting public gatherings.