Toni-Leslie James News

When is a legacy worth preserving and when is it time to move forward with life? What cost can one pay to jump-start their future? These are some of the central questions tackled in August Wilson's THE PIANO LESSON, which is now playing at Hartford Stage. One of Wilson's "Pittsburgh Cycle" plays (10 plays that shed light on African-American lives in each decade of the 20th century), THE PIANO LESSON - "a ghost story with traditional African-American songs" sits firmly in the 1930's, a time of struggle, change, and a time many African-Americans made the great migration north from the Jim Crow south, looking for a better life.

Four theater artists will be honored by the Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee during the presentation of its 2016 Awards in a luncheon ceremony to be held November 7, 2016.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the cast and creative team for August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, directed by Jade King Carroll, who helmed our critically-acclaimed production of Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years last spring.

BroadwayWorld is pleased to present the opening number from the Broadway bound musical Come From Away. The performance was recorded today in Toronto at the annual Mirvish season launch event, and features the entire Washington  cast! Check out the video below!

The new musical Come From Away will begin performances on Broadway on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) and officially open Sunday, March 12, 2017, following productions at Washington DC's Ford's Theatre (Friday, September 2 - Sunday, October 16, 2016) and Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre (Tuesday, November 15, 2016 - Sunday, January 8, 2017), and two special benefit concert performances in Gander, Newfoundland (Saturday, October 29, 2016). Click below to go behind the scenes with the band at Ford's Theatre!

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the cast and creative team for August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, directed by Jade King Carroll, who helmed our critically-acclaimed production of Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years last spring.

Junkyard Dog Productions announced today that the new musical COME FROM AWAY will begin performances on Broadway on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) and officially open Sunday, March 12, 2017, following productions at Washington DC's Ford's Theatre (Friday, September 2 - Sunday, October 16, 2016) and Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre (Tuesday, November 15, 2016 - Sunday, January 8, 2017), and two special benefit concert performances in Gander, Newfoundland (Saturday, October 29, 2016).

The producers of COME FROM AWAY announced today that they will honor the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and the 'come from aways' whose lives inspired the new musical COME FROM AWAY with two special benefit concert performances at Gander's hockey arena, The Steele Community Centre (155 Airport Boulevard, Gander, NL), on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 3pm (NDT) and 8pm (NDT). The benefit concerts, presented in association with the Town of Gander, NL, will star the cast of the Broadway and Toronto productions of COME FROM AWAY. Tickets are now on sale for the two benefit concert performances of COME FROM AWAY in Gander, NL and are $20. For reservations and more information please visit www.gandercanada.tix.com, or contact the Steele Community Centre box office at 709-651-5931 or in person between the hours of 10am (NDT) and 5:30pm (NDT), Monday throughFriday.

Junkyard Dog Productions announced today that the new musical Come From Away will begin performances on Broadway in February 2017 at a Shubert Theater to be announced, following productions at Washington DC's Ford's Theatre (Friday, September 2 - Sunday, October 9, 2016), and Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre (Tuesday, November 15, 2016 - Sunday, January 8, 2017).

Charitybuzz's new auction offers a chance to meet RENT's original Mimi and support ART/New York.

Legendary scenic and costume designer, MICHAEL YEARGAN (currently represented on Broadway with Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I), and costume designer SUSAN TSU are among the 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony tonight, May 20, at 6:30pm, at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).

Legendary scenic and costume designer, MICHAEL YEARGAN (currently represented on Broadway with Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I), and costume designer SUSAN TSU are among the 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 20, at 6:30pm, at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).

The musical is based on a true story of a small Newfoundland town that came to the aid of thousands stranded on 9/11.

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of DAPHNE'S DIVE, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes (Water by the Spoonful, In the Heights) and directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton, Fox's 'Grease: Live'). The production just opened in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big night  below!

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of DAPHNE'S DIVE, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes (Water by the Spoonful, In the Heights) and directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton, Fox's 'Grease: Live'). The production is currently in previews for an extended run through June 12, with a May 15 opening night in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Off-Broadway League tonight presents the 31st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway at NYU Skirball Center. BroadwayWorld will be bringing you the full list of winners below. Stay tuned to find out who will win big!

Arena Stage presents the final production of its 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DISGRACED. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. DISGRACED runs now through May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

'FLY' is on the Crossroads Theater Stage through April 17th. Written by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, directed by Khan and choreographed by Hope Clarke, this must-see production is brilliant.

The Public Theater announced an additional one-week extension today for the New York premiere of Head of Passes, part of Oskar Eustis' 10th anniversary season.

Signature Theatre has announced a one week extension for the world premiere of Daphne's Dive, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes (Water by the Spoonful, In the Heights) and directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton, Fox's "Grease: Live").