S. Epatha Merkerson News

BET Networks 'BEING MARY JANE' season two starring Gabrielle Union will premiere tonight, February 3.

From clown to actor, from performer to playwright, from actor to social commentator, Bill Irwin, Billy Porter, and Anna Deavere Smith share their artistic journeys in Philadelphia Theatre Company's new Theatre Masters series. Launched as part of PTC's celebration of its 40th Anniversary season, Theatre Masters will offer an array of Monday night on-stage interviews with major theatre artists with whom PTC has worked, each sharing their personal journey of transformation and creative growth over time and how it has impacted both their art and their lives. This season's schedule features Bill Irwin on February16, Billy Porter on March 23, and Anna Deavere Smith on May 11.

Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This holiday weekend's big news: SOUL DOCTOR comes back to New York, DISENCHANTED! begins, THE ILLUSIONISTS bring magic to Broadway, performers from the Great White Way crowd this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade and more!

Wayne State University is proud to present the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance December Dance Concert on Friday, December 5th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 p.m. The December Dance Concert highlights the work of renowned guest artists, faculty, and select students. Performances are at the Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 Woodward Avenue, in midtown Detroit. Tickets range from $10-$20 and are available by calling (313) 577-2960, online at Bonstelle.com, or at the Hilberry Theatre box office, temporarily located at 4841 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock Street on the 3rd floor of Old Main.

Primary Stages just held their annual Gala last night, November 3, 2014 at 583 Park Avenue. The event celebrated the company's 30th anniversary and honor Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies and award-winning producer, Julian Schlossberg. The Honorary Gala Co-Chairs are Brian d'Arcy James, Laura Linney, Elaine May, and Susan Stroman. The evening featured performances and tributes by Tony nominee Nick Cordero(performing from Bullets over Broadway), Charles Busch, Judy Gold, David Ives, the creators of In Transit, Tony winner Frank Langella, Elaine May, Tony winner Billy Porter, Marlo Thomas, Rachel York, and surprise guests. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the event below!

BET Networks 'BEING MARY JANE' season two starring Gabrielle Union will premiere on Tuesday, February 3

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the cast in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!

Experience Pee-wee's Playhouse like never before! All 45 wacky episodes, plus the Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special, have been meticulously remastered from the original film elements — and now you can see this ground-breaking series for the first time in beautiful high-definition!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include HONEYMOON IN VEGAS in their recording session, Michael C. Hall as Hedwig, opening night of ON THE TOWN, and more!

The Tony-winning actor's largely autobiographical drama is about growing up black, gay and Christian.

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for opening night and you can check out interviews with the full gang below!

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the opening night after party below!

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the opening night curtain call below!

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 45th season with Karima's Accept 'Except' LGBT NY, which will begin performances October 23rd and continue through November 23rd with opening night set for November 6th. Tony Award winner George Faison directs a cast that features Tuluv Maria Price and Tyree Young. The design team includes Chris Cumberbatch (scenic design), Ali Turns (costume design), Thurston Reyes (lighting design), and Ralph Gentry (sound/visual design).

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: THE LAST SHIP sets sail on Broadway, STALKING THE BOGEYMAN opens at New World Stages, CHICAGO welcomes a new 'Mama', Kevin Spacey performs in D.C. and more!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market, Billy Porter's Off-Broadway show WHILE I YET LIVE, Aretha Franklin's visit to ALADDIN, and more!

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 5PM. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Lindsay Lohan makes her West End debut in SPEED-THE-PLOW tonight, Billy Porter's WHILE I YET LIVE begins previews and more!

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, tonight, September 24, through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 5PM.