Melvin Abston News

Watch a montage of Purlie Victorious on Broadway, starring Leslie Odom Jr. & more!

The new Broadway production Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by Ossie Davis starring Leslie Odom, Jr. will host a post-show talkback series this fall at the Music Box Theatre.

Leslie Odom Jr. sat down with Jimmy Fallon to discuss his return to Broadway in Purlie Victorious. Odom Jr. said he had a 'different schedule' the last time he was on Broadway in Hamilton, since he now has two young children. He shared his daughter's thoughts on his new play, revealing one scene in the show that shocked her. Watch the video!

Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by the legendary Ossie Davis starring Leslie Odom, Jr. has announced an extension of its critically claimed Broadway run.

Discover how PURLIE VICTORIOUS is giving NYC high school students the chance to see this incredible musical with a new student ticket initiative. Find out how to take advantage of this limited-time offer and experience the magic of PURLIE VICTORIOUS in New York City.

Check out photos of Tony winning director Kenny Leon's new caricature unveiling at Sardi's!

Check out photos of the cast of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch as they walk the red carpet on opening night!

Read reviews for Purlie Victorious on Broadway starring Tony Award-winner, Leslie Odom Jr.! 

Ahead of the opening night of Purlie Victorious, Leslie Odom Jr. appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss why the play is a 'very rare piece.' Odom Jr. also discussed why the play is 'meant to be seen' and not read, how he identifies with the character, and being a producer on the show with his wife, Nicolette Robinson. Watch the video!

Get a first look at Leslie Odom Jr. and more in PURLIE VICTORIOUS: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Don't miss out on the exciting collaboration between Hollywood heavyweights Samuel L. Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry Washington, and others for the upcoming Broadway production of PURLIE VICTORIOUS. Get all the details about this highly anticipated musical that is set to make a splash on the theater scene.

The first Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by legendary Ossie Davis will officially open on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at The Music Box Theatre. Meet the cast of Purlie Victorious here!

The most shocking thing about getting older is that everyone else is getting older, too. Our parents, who once seemed so strong and commanding, reverse their roles and become the dependents. How do we care for them as they once cared for us? How do we find a balance between duty to them and staying true to ourselves? These are central themes explored in Nathan Louis Jackson’s Broke-ology, now playing at the B Street Theatre.

An invitation-only reading of Afrika Brown’s new play, The Fight, will be presented as a part of The Apollo Salon Series in Manhattan on Friday, March 17th. The Apollo Salon Series, a part of The Apollo New Works initiative, provides development support for contemporary new work across artistic disciplines. The series expands on The Apollo’s tradition of nurturing artists and projects by providing a one-week residency.

A developmental reading of Slippin’ Through the Cracks, the new musical about the legendary bluesman, Bobby Rush, will be presented to an invitation-only industry audience in New York City in March. See who is starring!

Broadway's upcoming production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman announced it will offer day-of $35 rush tickets via TodayTix.

At two very different public schools in the same city — an underserved school on the verge of shutdown, and an elite magnet program nearby — pressure to perform well on standardized tests drives students and teachers to compromise their integrity. Kudos to Artistic Director, Julie Ann Boyd and the team at Barrington Stage Company for giving yet another new promising playwright and their highly relevant work life.

Barrington Stage Company has announced casting for Nilo Cruz's 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Anna in the Tropics, on the Boyd-Quinson Stage July 16-30, and the world premiere of ABCD by May Treuhaft-Ali, on the St. Germain Stage July 1-23.

Milwaukee Rep has announced the complete cast and creative teams for the start of 2022 with Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 4 – 30 and Piano Men in the Stackner Cabaret January 7 – February 27.

The 2021 John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre is the latest accolade for Tony, Grammy and Emmy winning Hadestown star André De Shields, fresh from his critically-acclaimed turn as King Lear at St. Louis Shakespeare Festival.