Utkarsh Ambudkar News

Before Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda was part of the unique Freestyle Love Supremehip hop improv show. The seeds of the show were planted during rehearsals for Miranda's first Broadway show, In the Heights. Along with fellow cast member Anthony Veneziale, Miranda freestyled during rehearsal breaks and eventually co-created this unique show with Heights director Thomas Kail. Now, Freestyle Love Supreme returns to NYC for a limited run, starring Anthony Veneziale (aka Two Touch), Chris Sullivan (aka Shockwave), Utkarsh Ambudkar (aka UTK The Inc), Bill Sherman (aka King Sherman), Arthur Lewis (aka Arthur the Geniuses) and Andrew Bancroft (aka Jelly Donut). Special guests with Miranda (aka Lin-Man) include Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart (aka J-Soul) and Hamilton co-stars Christopher Jackson (aka C-Jack) and Daveed Diggs (aka Mr. Diggs).

The Marsh Berkeley announces the extension of That Don Reed Show created by acclaimed comedian/playwright, Theatre Bay Area (TBA) 2018 nominee, and 2016 TBA winner Don Reed. Saturday Night Live said Don was "too white," while the network executive for In Living Color said he wasn't "black enough."

Utkarsh Ambudkar takes narrative into his own hands with the release of album standout-track “Rundown,” the first track off his debut album Vanity, out now. “Rundown” bridges the gap between the Baltimore native's crossover from mainstream to conscious rap. “Rundown” is the embodiment of the message of the album, touching on subjects which inlcude race, politics, and (perceived) celebrity status. “And everyone wondering who the f**k's this Indian; yo, who the f**k is this Indian...,” said First-generation immigrant Utkarsh on the first verse, juxtaposing between feelings of exclusion and isolation and a sense of hope and resolution. “They look at him and say 'why isn't he wearing a Turbin'; well, motherf**ker that's some pretty shitty observing.”

Freestyle Love Supreme has announced on their Twitter that they are partnering with Yondr to create a phone-free experience at their shows. Patrons will put their phones in locked pouches upon entering the theatre, and will be able to unlock them when they leave.

After much anticipation following his singles "Rufio" and "Kane", Utkarsh Ambudkar releases his debut album 'Vanity' out today.

Ars Nova has announced the Ars Nova at Greenwich HouseWarming Party, a benefit performance of Freestyle Love Supreme with Lin-Manuel Miranda that will take place on Sunday, March 3, 6pm at Ars Nova at Greenwich House (27 Barrow Street, Manhattan). The HouseWarming Party will celebrate Ars Nova's expansion into the historic Greenwich House Theater and support the development of new artistic programs at two New York theaters: Ars Nova at Greenwich House and the Ars Nova Hub on 54th Street.

FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, the highly-anticipated return engagement produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jenny and Jon Steingart, and Jill Furman, will begin performances on Wednesday, January 30 at the Greenwich House Theater, 27 Barrow Street. A TodayTix lottery for 15 tickets a performance will be offered during the five-week engagement to help fans get tickets to the sold-out show.

The Marsh Berkeley announces the extension of That Don Reed Show created by acclaimed comedian/playwright, Theatre Bay Area (TBA) 2018 nominee, and 2016 TBA winner Don Reed. Saturday Night Live said Don was "too white," while the network executive for In Living Color said he wasn't "black enough." So Don created That Don Reed Show-his own sketch variety show-bringing Bay Area audiences an evening of irreverent sketches, edgy stand-up, and music.

Utkarsh Ambudkar drops his newest single 'Kane,' produced by long time friend and collaborator Chuck Wild aka Captain Planet, today via Hip Hop DX. Of the track, Utkarsh describes itas a “most exuberant frolic into the nether-regions of dope.” Utkarsh's electrifying lyrics flow effortlessly through the throbbing beats, surrounding you with energy. He perfectly marries Old-School toasting, with a more contemporary and modern sound to create a rhythmic masterpiece that encourages dancing. This single is merely an introduction to a much larger project: his upcoming album Vanity, which is set to be released on January 18, 2019. Vanity will share his brand of raw and melodic hip-hop that addresses race, the first generation immigrant experience, politics, Hollywood and more from a fresh and infectious perspective.

Due to overwhelming demand, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jon Steingart and Jill Furman announced today that the highly-anticipated return engagement of FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, which sold-out quickly last month, has been able to add four additional performances to the strictly limited run at the Greenwich House Theater, 27 Barrow Street. In addition, a TodayTix lottery for 15 tickets a performance will be offered during the five-week run to help fans get tickets.

Production has begun on 'Mira, Royal Detective,' an animated mystery-adventure series for preschoolers slated to debut on Disney Junior channels and programming blocks around the world in 2020. Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective after solving a mystery that involves saving the kingdom's young prince. The role of Mira will be voiced by 15-year-old newcomer Leela Ladnier. The announcement was made today by Joe D'Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming, Disney Junior.

The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the showcase of new independent feature films selected across all categories for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The Festival hosts screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort, from January 24 - February 3, 2019.

It has just been announced that Pulitzer Prize winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda will produce an Off-Broadway run of his improvisational hip-hop group Freestyle Love Supreme this winter.

Saturday Night Live said Don was "too white," while the network executive for In Living Color said he wasn't "black enough." So Don created That Don Reed Show, his own sketch variety show. Coming to The Marsh Berkeley Cabaret this November, Don brings Bay Area audiences an evening of irreverent sketches, edgy stand-up, short films, and music. That Don Reed Show will be presented November 24-December 23, 2018 with performances 8:30pm Saturdays and 5:30pm Sundays at The Marsh Berkeley Cabaret, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved) or more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

Following the drop of his single “Vanity”, Utkarsh Ambudkar releases his animated music video for “Rufio”. The track is an epic collaboration with Lin- Manuel Miranda, Dante Basco (yes, Rufio from Hook!), and The Olympicks, and the video is directed by Tayen Kim. “Rufio” shines a light on being an outcast, race, the first generation immigrant experience, politics, Hollywood and more with his raw and melodic hip-hop sound.

 Renaissance man Utkarsh Ambudkar follows up single “Vanity” with “Rufio,” an epic collaboration with Lin- Manuel Miranda, Dante Basco, and The Olympicks. “Rufio” plays with raw and melodic hip-hop that addresses race, the first generation immigrant experience, politics, Hollywood and more from a fresh and infectious perspective. 

Production on Disney's “Mulan,” a live-action adaptation of the studio's 1998 animated feature, has begun. The film will shoot on locations in New Zealand and China and will open in U.S. theaters on March 27, 2020. 

The Marsh Berkeley announces the extension of Don Reed's wonderfully wild autobiography Can You Dig It?: The '60s through September. Hot on the heels of Reed's hilarious and critically acclaimed East 14th and The Kipling Hotel, Reed (HBO, Snap Judgment, Amazon Prime) takes Bay Area audience members on a nostalgic ride through the amusing and oftentimes turbulent 1960s and beyond. Can You Dig It?: The '60s takes place before Reed's father became a pimp, before little Donnie was forced into that door-knocking religion, and includes some mind-blowing and unbelievably true tales.

Due to popular demand, Don Reed's wonderfully wild autobiographical trilogy Can You Dig It?: The '60s will transfer to The Marsh Berkeley in June. Hot on the heels of the hilarious and critically acclaimed East 14th and The Kipling Hotel, Reed (HBO, Snap Judgment, Amazon Prime) takes Bay Area audience members on a nostalgic ride through the amusing and oftentimes turbulent 1960s and beyond. Reed's solo show happens before his father became a pimp, before little Donnie was forced into that door-knocking religion, and includes some mind-blowing and unbelievably true tales never before revealed in the original production. From the Beatles to the Black Panthers, James Brown to the Jerk, MLK to JFK to the KKK-audiences will delight in living vicariously through the eyes of an awkward blinking kid just trying to fit in during the tumultuous '60s. Called "a comedic goldmine. An electrifying performer whose impressions of the colorful characters of his childhood are well-drawn and flat-out hilarious" by KQED, Can You Dig It?: The '60s continues through June 16 in San Francisco (8:30pm Saturdays & 5:30pm Sundays)  and then will be presented June 23 to July 29 (5:00pm Saturdays & 5:30pm Sundays) at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved), the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh box office at 415-282-3055 (open 1pm-4pm, Monday through Friday).

Due to popular demand, The Marsh San Francisco extends Don Reed's wonderfully wild autobiographical trilogy Can You Dig It?: The '60s. Hot on the heels of the hilarious and critically acclaimed East 14th and The Kipling Hotel, Reed takes Bay Area audience members on a nostalgic ride through the amusing and oftentimes turbulent 1960s and beyond. Reed's solo show takes place before his father became a pimp, before little Donnie was forced into that door-knocking religion, and includes some mind-blowing and unbelievably true tales never before revealed in the original production. From the Beatles to the Black Panthers, James Brown to the Jerk, MLK to JFK to the KKK-audiences will delight in living vicariously through the eyes of an awkward blinking kid just trying to fit in during the tumultuous '60s.