S. Epatha Merkerson News

The show opened last night, October 20, and BroadwayWorld was there throughout the night to celebrate with the cast. Check out all of the red carpet fashion below!

The show opened last night, October 20, and BroadwayWorld was there throughout the night to celebrate with the cast. Below, check out photos from the star-studded theatre arrivals!

Imani Hakim (Everybody Hates Chris, Love Reign Over Me) and Sydney Mikayla (Whitney) have been cast to share the role of two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas in the Lifetime Original Movie The Gabby Douglas Story (working title). Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the movie details the inspiring true story of the international gymnastics phenomenon, who overcame overwhelming odds to become the first African American ever to be named Individual All-round Champion in artistic gymnastics at the Olympics. Mikayla will portray Douglas during her childhood while Hakim will play the gold medalist as a teenager and young adult. The real-life Gabby Douglas will appear in the film, which also stars Peabody Award-winning actress Regina King (Southland, Ray) and Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R)-winner S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order). The Gabby Douglas Story will film in Manitoba, Canada, and debut in 2014.

Esteemed stage and screen star and noted August Wilson proponent/performer Phylicia Rashad stages a revival of Wilson's acclaimed drama JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE tonight as part of a live webcast series presenting the ten 20th century cycle plays by the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner, following successful presentations of MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM and FENCES last month.

While 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' is generating Oscar buzz for its chronicle of several decades of African- American political life, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson masterfully documented a full century of the African-American experience in the 10 plays the make up the American Century Cycle. These works, nine of which have been staged on Broadway with stars including Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Charles Dutton, among many others, showed the suffering, joys, and triumphs of African-Americans through searing, poetic and personal stories of everyday people in Pittsburgh, PA.

August WilsonFor the very first time, the Estate of August Wilson has granted an organization the rights to record all 10 of these works. Kicking off on Monday, August 26 with 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' The Greene Space - the performance venue of public radio stations WNYC and WQXR -- will stage these readings before live audiences, and will make them present them as live video webcasts for viewers everywhere at www.thegreenespace.org. Ruben Santiago-Hudson, one of the leading interpreters of Wilson's work, is Artistic Director. The series has assembled a formidable group of 'Wilson Warriors' including Phylicia Rashad, S. Epatha Merkerson, Kenny Leon, Leslie Uggams, Anthony Chisholm and many others, along with Wilson first-timers including Taraji P. Hensonand Jesse L. Martin. Click below to watch interviews with the directors!

While 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' is generating Oscar buzz for its chronicle of several decades of African- American political life, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson masterfully documented a full century of the African-American experience in the 10 plays the make up the American Century Cycle. These works, nine of which have been staged on Broadway with stars including Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Charles Dutton, among many others, showed the suffering, joys, and triumphs of African-Americans through searing, poetic and personal stories of everyday people in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR, the state-of-the-art venue of the nation's most listened-to news/talk and classical public radio stations, will make history this fall when it creates, for the first time, exclusive recordings of all 10 of August Wilson's American Century Cycle Plays.

The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR, the state-of-the-art venue of the nation's most listened-to news/talk and classical public radio stations, will make history this fall when it creates, for the first time, exclusive recordings of all 10 of August Wilson's American Century Cycle Plays.

Brian J. Smith guest stars in an all-new episode of Syfy's hit series, Defiance, tonight, June 10 at 9PM ET/PT. Get a sneak peek below!

Brian J. Smith guest stars in an all-new episode of Syfy's hit series, Defiance,Monday, June 10 at 9PM ET/PT. Get a sneak peek below!

Manhattan Theatre Club presented their annual Spring Gala last night, May 20 at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 East 42nd Street). This year's gala featured special appearances by MTC stars Judith Light (The Assembled Parties), S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba), Bebe Neuwirth (Golden Age), and Jennifer Westfeldt (The Explorers Club).

Manhattan Theatre Club will present their annual Spring Gala tonight, May 20 at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 East 42nd Street). This year's gala, will feature special appearances by MTC stars Judith Light (The Assembled Parties), S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba), Bebe Neuwirth (Golden Age), and Jennifer Westfeldt (The Explorers Club).

Manhattan Theatre Club will present their annual Spring Gala on Monday, May 20 at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 East 42nd Street). This year's gala, will feature special appearances by MTC stars Judith Light (The Assembled Parties), S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba), Bebe Neuwirth (Golden Age), and Jennifer Westfeldt (The Explorers Club).

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opened last night, April 14, 2013, at Broadway's The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street). Many of the legendary stars that were part of the actual MOTOWN sound came out to celebrate the show and we got them all! Check out the photos below...

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opened last night, April 14, 2013, at Broadway's The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street). Many of the legendary stars that were part of the actual MOTOWN sound came out to celebrate the show and we got them all! Check out the photos below...

Each spring Symphony Space honors individuals and organizations who share its dedication to keeping the arts accessible to all New Yorkers. On April 15, 2013, the Spring Swing and Access to the Arts Awards Gala will honor Steven M. Alden, Louise Kerz Hirschfeld & Lewis B. Cullman, Luis Ubiñas, and the late Isaiah Sheffer. Co-chaired by Amy Wilson and David Flannery, and BD Wong, the 2013 Spring Swing Gala will be held at Capitale, located at 130 Bowery on the Lower East Side. The evening begins with cocktails and a silent auction at 6:30pm, followed by dinner and entertainment at 7:30 PM, and concludes with dancing and dessert.

Each spring Symphony Space honors individuals and organizations who share its dedication to keeping the arts accessible to all New Yorkers. On April 15, Symphony Space will present the fourth annual Access to the Arts Awards to Steven M. Alden, Board Chairman from 2001-2012 in recognition of his devoted leadership of Symphony Space; philanthropists Louise Kerz Hirschfeld & Lewis B. Cullman, for their inspiring dedication to the arts and respective leadership of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation and the Lewis B. & Dorothy Cullman Foundation; and Luis Ubiñas, the President of the Ford Foundation, for his dynamic direction of the nation's second largest foundation. Symphony Space will also bestow the Access to the Arts Award to Isaiah Sheffer, its Founding Artistic Director, who passed away in November 2012.

Each spring Symphony Space honors individuals and organizations who share its dedication to keeping the arts accessible to all New Yorkers. On April 15, Symphony Space will present the fourth annual Access to the Arts Awards to Steven M. Alden, Board Chairman from 2001-2012 in recognition of his devoted leadership of Symphony Space; philanthropists Louise Kerz Hirschfeld & Lewis B. Cullman, for their inspiring dedication to the arts and respective leadership of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation and the Lewis B. & Dorothy Cullman Foundation; and Luis Ubiñas, the President of the Ford Foundation, for his dynamic direction of the nation's second largest foundation. Symphony Space will also bestow the Access to the Arts Award to Isaiah Sheffer, its Founding Artistic Director, who passed away in November 2012.

The Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts recognize distinguished artists and visionaries who have proven their dedication, talent, and leadership in support of the arts. All proceeds from the event directly benefit The Theatre School Scholarship Fund, supporting students from all over the nation who come to train at the school.