Vanessa Bell News

In May, I promised a series of stage door behavior stories. And then there were a lot of more timely stories to report on and, unfortunately, the next installment in the series got pushed. But now I can finally do the second installment, on plays.

Not sure about which Broadway show to see in 2023? Check out a full list of what's new on Broadway and which productions to catch before they're gone for good!

The first Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by legendary Ossie Davis will officially open on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at The Music Box Theatre. Meet the cast of Purlie Victorious here!

Don't miss out on the exciting collaboration between Hollywood heavyweights Samuel L. Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry Washington, and others for the upcoming Broadway production of PURLIE VICTORIOUS. Get all the details about this highly anticipated musical that is set to make a splash on the theater scene.

Explore a collection of stunning portraits featuring the talented cast of PURLIE VICTORIOUS. Get to know the actors bringing this hit show to life.

What's Purlie Victorious all about? In this video, watch as Kenny Leon and cast explain!

Learn about the exciting collaboration between National Black Theatre and the production team of PURLIE VICTORIOUS. Discover how this partnership is set to enhance the upcoming show and bring a unique experience to audiences.

Rehearsals are now underway for the first Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by legendary Ossie Davis will officially open on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at The Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th St.). Previews will begin on Thursday, September 7.

The first Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by legendary Ossie Davis will officially open in September. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Tony & Grammy Award winner and Academy & Emmy Award nominee Leslie Odom, Jr. will  star in the first Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through  the Cotton Patch by the legendary Ossie Davis.

'Queen Sugar” will return to OWN this fall for its seventh and final season boasting a directorial line-up of returning all-star directors, including creator and executive producer Ava DuVernay. From ARRAY Filmworks and Warner Bros. Television, the series has started production on the final episode in and around New Orleans.

Flushing Town Hall’s popular series, Mini-Global Mashups, will present another installment this summer on Sunday, July 24 at 1 PM EST with its Gospel Meets Côte d’Ivoire concert. 

Funded by The Black Seed, the African-American Shakespeare Company & The CRAFT Institute have come together to form the African Diasporic Network that will debut Echoes of Us: Now and Always July 15-17 at the Marines Memorial Theatre. 

AllBlk has greenlit the supernatural drama Wicked City from executive producers Tressa 'Azarel' Smallwood and Donte Lee set to debut this winter.

A protégée of Quincy Jones and mentored by Stevie Wonder, singer Sheléa graces The Wallis stage with her one-nighter Pretty World: Through the Eyes of Alan & Marilyn Bergman June 25, 2022. Sheléa shared remembrances of her many high-profile events in her life leading up to her Bergmans tribute.

Manny Halley has released the trailer for 'A Holiday Chance', which stars Sharon Leal, Nafessa Williams, Amin Joseph, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Richard Lawson and Tobias Truvillion. Watch the new trailer now!

Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi(Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began.

In recognition of World AIDS Day, December 1st, the Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC), an initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the worlds largest, non-profit public health organization addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, is utilizing the power of the arts and social media to bring greater awareness to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its disproportionate impact on Black Americans.

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??City of Hope's Health Justice Council will host the inaugural Dine In for Health Justice, a month-long virtual event designed as a CALL TO ACTION to raise awareness and funds for crucial health care issues facing minority communities. Dine In encourages friends and family to organize virtual dinner parties a?" or lunch or breakfast, for that matter a?" beginning Saturday, Sept. 26, and continuing through the month of October. 

Back by popular demand, Obie award-winning actor and writer Roger Guenveur Smith (Do The Right Thing) returns to the stage-- virtually -- with his new solo performance, OTTO FRANK, a historical account of the father of Anne Frank.