Toni-Leslie James News

The Ford's Theatre 2009-2010 season opens with 'Black Pearl Sings!' by Frank Higgins, September 25-October 18, 2009. Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins makes her Ford's Theatre debut in the title role with Erika Rolfsrud as Susannah. Jennifer L. Nelson returns to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of 'Jitney.'

The Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre (AVENUE Q and [title of show]) will open its 2009-10 season with the Off-Broadway premiere of A BOY AND HIS SOUL -- a new play written and performed by Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE, Logo Network's 'The Big Gay Sketch Show') set to begin previews September 9, prior to officially opening on September 24 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) in Manhattan.

Producers David Richenthal, Jack Viertel, and Alan D. Marks have announced that the box office opens today for the Broadway production of the critically-acclaimed New York City Center Encores! production of Finian's Rainbow, which transfers to Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, beginning Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, with an opening set for Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm.

The Ford's Theatre 2009-2010 season opens with 'Black Pearl Sings!' by Frank Higgins, September 25-October 18, 2009. Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins makes her Ford's Theatre debut in the title role with Erika Rolfsrud as Susannah. Jennifer L. Nelson returns to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of 'Jitney.'

Tickets to the Off-Broadway premiere of A BOY AND HIS SOUL -- a new play written and performed by Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE, Logo Network's 'The Big Gay Sketch Show') will be available for purchase - both at the Vineyard Theatre Box Office (108 East 15th Street) and online at www.VineyardTheatre.org - beginning today (Wednesday, August 26).

The Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre (AVENUE Q and [title of show]) will open its 2009-10 season with the Off-Broadway premiere of A BOY AND HIS SOUL -- a new play written and performed by Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE, Logo Network's 'The Big Gay Sketch Show') set to begin previews September 9, prior to officially opening on September 24 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) in Manhattan.

Cheyenne Jackson will reprise his New York City Center Encores! role of Woody in the upcoming Broadway production of Finian's Rainbow.

Producers David Richenthal and Jack Viertel have announced that the critically-acclaimed New York City Center Encores! production of Finian?s Rainbow, will transfer to Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, beginning Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, with an opening set for Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm.

'How much are you willing to change for the one you love?' is the premise of Bay Street's first Main Stage production of the 2009 Summer Season, the betwitching romantic comedy Bell, Book and Candle. Written by John Van Druten, the play served as the inspiration for the hit television series Betwitched and was also a 1958 film starring Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart.

'How much are you willing to change for the one you love?' is the premise of Bay Street's first Main Stage production of the 2009 Summer Season, the betwitching romantic comedy Bell, Book and Candle. Written by John Van Druten, the play served as the inspiration for the hit television series Betwitched and was also a 1958 film starring Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart.

Drag superstar Sweetie, recently seen on 'Project Runway' and in WIG OUT!, hosts the WIG OUT! COSTUME EXTRAVANGZA, a special one-night-only event offering drinks, divas, drag and dance presented by the Vineyard Theater on Thursday, May 21, beginning with a cocktail reception at 7:00pm, followed by a fashion show, silent auction of costumes from the hit musical WIG OUT! designed by Toni-Leslie James, and dance party featuring the stars of WIG OUT! at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) in Manhattan.

Wig Out! costumes designed by Obie Award-winner Toni-Leslie James to be auctioned online The Vineyard Theatre will auction Toni-Leslie James' Obie Award-winning costumes from its recent production of Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT! via an online auction to be held this summer.

The Village Voice, the nation's largest alternative weekly newspaper 54th Annual OBIE awards took place on Monday, May 18,2009 at the newly landmarked Webster Hall in the East Village.

The 2008-2009 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center continues June 5 to 7 at the Ahmanson Theatre with Ballet Hispanico. Led by Artistic Director Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispanico is widely recognized as one of the pre-eminent Latino cultural institutions.

Awards were handed out for 14 categories and 2 special awards are announced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year?s ceremony benefits The Actors Fund. A list of nominees follows below.

Drag superstar Sweetie, recently seen on 'Project Runway' and in WIG OUT!, hosts the WIG OUT! COSTUME EXTRAVANGZA, a special one-night-only event offering drinks, divas, drag and dance presented by the Vineyard Theater on Thursday, May 21, beginning with a cocktail reception at 7:00pm, followed by a fashion show, silent auction of costumes from the hit musical WIG OUT! designed by Toni-Leslie James, and dance party featuring the stars of WIG OUT! at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) in Manhattan.

Nominations in 14 categories and 2 special awards are nnounced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund.

Legendary designers WILLIAM IVEY LONG and BOB CROWLEY are among the four recipients of 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards to be presented at a ceremony this Friday, March 27 at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Five-time Tony Award winning costume designer William Ivey Long will receive the 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for theatrical costume design, and, for his achievements as both a costume and scenic designer, Bob Crowley (also a five-time Tony Award winner) will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards' special Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatrical Design.

Legendary designers WILLIAM IVEY LONG and BOB CROWLEY are among the four recipients of the 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards. Five-time Tony Award winning costume designer William Ivey Long will receive the 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for theatrical costume design, and, for his achievements as both a costume and scenic designer, Bob Crowley (also a five-time Tony Award winner) will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards' special Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatrical Design at a ceremony on Friday, March 27, at the Hudson Theatre in New York City.

Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT! concludes its twice-extended run with a special performance to benefit The Vineyard Theatre at 7:30pm on Sunday, November 16 at The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street), where the critically acclaimed play has been playing to packed houses and breaking box office records that surpass such past hits as [title of show] and AVENUE Q.