Nija Okoro News

We are still laughing, days after seeing the West Coast premiere of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE at the Geffen Playhouse. The play with fantastic and ultra-flamboyant musical numbers will keep you laughing from beginning to end, centered on 'a wildly joyous story of empathy, of inclusivity, of community, of the potential for art to build bridges,' according to the Geffen's Artistic Director Randall Arney. Along with Mr. Arney, I send kudos to the six collaborators who have shepherded the play in its journey before arriving at the Geffen: playwright Matthew Lopez, director Mike Donahue, choreographer Paul McGill, cast member Matt McGrath, set designer Donyale Werle and sound designer Jill BC Du Boff so that L.A. audiences have a chance to celebrate the glory that stems from watching the best drag queen show since KINKY BOOTS.

The Geffen Playhouse today announced that the cast for its West Coast Premiere production of Matthew Lopez's The Legend of Georgia McBride will feature Andrew Burnap as Casey, Matt McGrath as Miss Tracy Mills, Nija Okoro as Jo, Larry Powell as Rexy / Jason and Nick Searcy as Eddie.

August Wilson's hard-hitting 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' opened September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/ Mark Taper Forum. 'Ma Rainey...' is part of Wilson's American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the show below, along with behind the scenes with the cast and celebrities!

Like all of August Wilson's plays, this one contains more dialogue than perhaps is needed, with the first act seemingly bogged down at times as you listen to four musicians (Damon Gupton as Cutler, Glynn Turman as Toledo, Keith David as Slow Dawg, Jason Dirden as Levee) stuck in a rehearsal room as they banter about life, women, music, and a much-loved pair of new shoes. It's a shame these brilliant musicians were not allowed to share their skills in more than just one song during the show as they rocked the house. Make no mistake; this play is NOT a musical but a hard-hitting drama about the inequities of life.

August Wilson's hard-hitting 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' opened September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/ Mark Taper Forum. 'Ma Rainey...' is part of Wilson's American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Now in previews, August Wilson's hard-hitting 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/ Mark Taper Forum. 'Ma Rainey...' is part of Wilson's American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Center Theatre Group presents August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' which begins previews tonight, August 31, opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

Rehearsals have begun for August Wilson's blazing masterpiece 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' which begins previews September 1, opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. BroadwayWorld has a peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Center Theatre Group has announced the casting for August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' which begins previews August 31, opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

Cape May Stage presents the New Jersey premiere of The Mountaintop, Katori Hall's fantastical take on the last night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. In this winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Play, Hall daringly tackles the challenge of depicting a legend with a lasting legacy and showing him for what he truly was - a mere man. It is a powerfully vulnerable portrait of King; he is stripped down and exposed in all his flaws, more human than ever.

Sundance Institute today announced the acting company for its 2008 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab, to be held July 7 to July 27 at the Sundance Resort in Utah. The 2008 ensemble company includes: Satya Bhabha, (Queens Boulevard) Reed Birney (Stuff Happens), J. Alex Brinson (The Happening), Amari Cheatom (Histoire du Soldat), Michael Chernus (Hunting and Gathering), Tracee Chimo (Water and Discarded Hair), Jennifer Dundas (Good as New), Greg Felden (Naked Will), Chinai Hardy (In the Red and Brown Water),Erin Hill (a-ha), Nicholas Hormann (The Little Foxes), Ella Joyce (Roc), Lisa Joyce (U.S. Drag), Christina Kirk (Well),David Margulies (Angels in America, 45 Seconds from Broadway, Wonderful Town), James McDaniel (Malcolm X), Kristine Nielsen (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Green Bird), Deirdre O'Connell (In the Blood, 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore), Nija Okoro (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone), Alison Pill (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Susan Pourfar (The Last Sunday in June), Gita Reddy (Hindustan), Heidi Schreck (Major Barbara), Jeanine Serralles (Hold, Please), Lois Smith (The Trip to Bountiful, Buried Child, The Grapes of Wrath) and Susie Sokol (The Sound and the Fury).