Marcus Gardley News

Ciara will appear in the film as the adult version of Nettie, sharing the role with Halle Bailey, who will portray the younger version of the character. Ciara is most known for her successful pop and R&B singing career, including hit songs like 'Level Up,' 1, 2, Step' and 'Get Up.'

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'.

Yesterday, the Producers Guild of America held their 33rd annual awards ceremony, honoring the most acclaimed film and television directors from 2021. The event took place at the Fairmount Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California.

Oakland Theater Project will present the West Coast Premiere of Endlings by Celine Song, directed by May Liang (Artistic Director, Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company) from April 8—May 1 at OTP's theater at FLAX art & design (1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland CA 94612). 

What's going on this week in local Southeast Louisiana theatre?

New Orleans theatre had its share of setbacks due to the pandemic, but in 2022, the Crescent City is seeing a revival of bold theatre. These productions capture Nola's legacy of theatrical innovation and creativity from local theatre companies featuring local talent to grand-scale tours. This spring season, there's something for everyone, from classic stories with a twist to the Best of Broadway.

On March 10, 2022 New York City’s Obie Award-winning The Fire This Time Festival will release an anthology entitled 25 Plays from The Fire This Time Festival: A Decade of Recognition, Resistance, Resilience, Rebirth and Black Theatre.

King Lear features the legendary Keith David in the titular role among myriad other established actors – and a very special jazz-inspired sound design conceived by Lindsay Jones.

Red Bull Theater today announced that submissions are now open for Red Bull’s 12th ANNUAL SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, six brand new 10-minute plays of heightened language and classic themes inspired by this year’s theme: “Alchemy,” that will be selected through an open submission process.

Tony-nominee Colman Domingo and Grown-ish star Halle Bailey have joined the all-star cast of the upcoming musical film adaptation of The Color Purple.

During ABC's 'Soul of a Nation' special 'Screen Queens Rising,' when the casting was announced, anchor Linsey Davis surprised Brooks with a video from the moment Oprah Winfrey surprised her with the news. Winfrey had previously portrayed Sofia in the 1985 film, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Fantasia Barrino and ​​​​​​​Danielle Brooks have joined the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple musical as Celie and Sofia, respectively.

The special will reveal the lead actresses who are cast as Celia and Sofia in Warner Bros.’ film adaptation of the beloved musical “The Color Purple” and feature an exclusive clip of “The Color Purple” producer Oprah Winfrey delivering the casting news to one of the actresses.

Today's top stories: MJ officially opened last night! Check out all new photos and read the reviews! Plus, Hangmen is coming to Broadway this Spring, Taraji P. Henson joins The Color Purple film as Shug Avery, and more!

Oscar and Emmy-nominee Taraji P. Henson has joined the upcoming film adaption of The Color Purple musical as Shug Avery. Henson will join the previously announced Corey Hawkins as Harpo and H.E.R. as Squeak. Blitz Bazawule will direct the movie with a script by Marcus Gardley.

Classic Stage Company announced that the upcoming run of black odyssey, written by Marcus Gardley and directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, has been postponed. Originally set to begin performances in Winter 2022, black odyssey will now begin performances later this season at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater (136 East 13th Street,  NY, NY 10003).  

California Shakespeare Theater has announced its 2022 season at the Bruns Amphitheater featuring two world premiere Shakespearean adaptations: the bilingual Romeo y Juliet adapted by Karen Zacarías and directed by KJ Sanchez, running May 25-June 19; and Lear adapted by Marcus Gardley and co-directed by Eric Ting and Dawn Monique Williams, running September 7-October 2 in partnership with Oakland Theater Project and with support from Play On Shakespeare.  

Cal Shakes has announced its '22 season at the Bruns Amphitheater featuring two world premiere Shakespearean adaptations: the bilingual Romeo y Juliet adapted by Karen Zacarías and directed by KJ Sanchez, running May 25-June 19; and Lear adapted by Marcus Gardley and co-directed by Eric Ting and Dawn Monique Williams, running September 7-October 2.

 Oakland Theater Project (OTP)has announced its 2022 Season, In the Eye of the Storm, with five in-person shows at OTP’s Oakland Theater at FLAX art & design (1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way), and a sixth show to be announced at a later date, that commemorates the 10-year anniversary since their founding in 2012. 

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