Toni-Leslie James News

With less than a week's preparation, Lewis steps into a production her predecessor denounced as seen through 'the filter of the white gaze.'

The West Coast premiere of The Pasadena Playhouse/Crossroads Theatre Company production of FLY, by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, and inspired by the American Heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen, has found its cast.

An accomplished musical theatre supporting player takes on the title role in CSC's production of Brecht's classic drama.

Broadway veteran Kecia Lewis will assume the title role in their new production of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children beginning this Friday, January 8 at Classic Stage Company, BroadwayWorld has confirmed.

In today's update, cast member Michael Potts has shared his perspective on the issue in a very long Facebook post.

Playwright Larry Kramer (THE NORMAL HEART) has come out in support of his friend Tonya Pinkins in a lengthy Facebook post.

As of today, both Tonya Pinkins and director Brian Kulick have commented on the situation. Read Tonya's full statement (which was referenced in an earlier article) below!

Just in, BWW can now report director Brian Kulick's lengthy response to Tonya Pinkins' reasons for her departure. You can read his statement in full below!

The Tony-winning actor calls the production's Congo setting 'a decorative motif.'

'MOTHER COURAGE' will soon be missing its off-Broadway matriarch. Classic Stage Company's production of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children began performances on December 9, starring Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins. But now BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Pinkins will be leaving the show on January 5, before its originally slated opening night on January 7. That date will now be postponed as the production's creative team hunts for a replacement.

Classic Stage Company's production of Bertolt Brecht's MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, starring Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, begins performances tonight, December 9 for a limited engagement through January 24. MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN will be directed by Brian Kulick and will feature original music by Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik. The official press opening is Thursday, January 7.

World-premiere musical COME FROM AWAY comes to Seattle Rep now through December 13 in the Bagley Wright Theatre. A co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, COME FROM AWAY is the first musical to be on the main stage of the Rep in over 15 years. It opens tonight, November 18, 2015. Featuring book, music and lyrics by the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein (My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding), the production is directed by La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report initial casting for The Public Theater's New York premiere of HEAD OF PASSES, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau. Phylicia Rashad returns to The Public to play 'Shelah' in this deeply moving new drama about family, acceptance, and the power of faith. Rashad last appeared at The Public in THE STORY by Tracey Scott Wilson in 2003. HEAD OF PASSES begins previews on Tuesday, March 15 in the Newman Theater with an official press opening on Monday, March 28.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Classic Stage Company's production of Bertolt Brecht's MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, starring Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, will begin performances Wednesday, December 9 for a limited engagement through January 24. MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN will be directed by Brian Kulick and will feature original music by Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik. The official press opening is Thursday, January 7.

The Public Theater has announced a one-week extension for the critically acclaimed FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE, a world premiere musical by Michael John LaChiusa, BroadwayWorld has confirmed. Directed by Kirsten Sanderson, FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE began previews on Tuesday, October 6 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, November 15. It will now run an additional week through Sunday, November 22. Ghostlight Records recently recorded the original cast recording of FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE to be released later this season.

World-premiere musical Come From Away comes to Seattle Rep November 13- December 13 in the Bagley Wright Theatre. A co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, Come From Away is the first musical to be on the main stage of the Rep in over 15 years. Featuring book, music and lyrics by the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein (My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding), the production is directed by La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. Tickets are available now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206-443-2222 as well as online at www.seattlerep.org.

This evening, Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. revealed nominations for the 2014-2015 Atlanta professional theatrical season. The Suzi Nomination Party, which rotates venues, was hosted this year by Horizon Theatre. Guest announcers included the ladies of The Weird Sisters Theatre Project: Kelly Criss, Veronika Duerr, Jaclyn Hofmann, Tiffany Porter, and Megan Rose.

Amazing Grace, the new musical playing at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street), will play its final performance on Sunday, October 25. On that date, the show will have played 24 preview performances and 114 regular performances.

The producers of Amazing Grace just announced that DMI Soundtracks will record the Broadway cast album of Amazing Grace on Monday, November 2nd. The album will be available in January, 2016. The recording will be produced and engineered by six-time Grammy Award winner Frank Filipetti. The tracklist for the digital album and CD is as follows:

AMAZING GRACE is Harriet D. Foy's fourth Broadway production, but the first in which she has created a role.