Born into poverty in the slums of St. Louis, Josephine Baker became one of the most famous and groundbreaking stars of the 20th century. The first African-American performer to rise to international prominence, she was a French Resistance spy and civil rights activist who was married twice by age 16 and served as muse to Pablo Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, who called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw."
Now, nearly 40 years after her death, Baker's life inspires a young woman to face up to the sacrifices required to follow one's dreams.
On Monday, March 16, 2015, the League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre, is pleased to recognize the talents of five outstanding women: Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Kathleen Chalfant, Sandra A. Daley-Sharif, Rachel Dickstein, and Donyale Werle.
?The city of San Francisco will honor the legendary disco singer Sylvester, along with the opening of MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL -- the acclaimed celebration of the life and music of the original 1970s "Queen of Disco" -- with San Francisco Supervisor, Scott Weiner, set to present a proclamation for "Mighty Real Day: Honoring Sylvester & His Music" on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific) at Sylvester's star on the Castro Rainbow Honor Walk. MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL began performances at the Brava Theater Center (2781 24th Street) on Wednesday, February 11th and will open on Saturday, February 14th, 2015. The limited San Francisco engagement is scheduled through Sunday, March 1st.
Some of the best musical experiences have taken place in houses of worship. Sadly, Holy Cross Church in Times Square was the location of such an occurrence on Saturday as a Requiem Mass for Jean-Claude Baker who committed suicide on January 15th 2015 was held at the historic church. The Romanesque Revival style building was constructed in 1870 and is the oldest building on 42nd Street. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the performances below!
The Buck Creek Players will continue their 41st season of quality theater, LIFE 101: A Season of Life Lessons, with the Indianapolis premiere comedy, QUARTET, by Ronald Harwood.
The five-time Tony Award-nominated Rock of Ages played its final performance last night, January 18, 2015 after 22 preview and 2,328 Broadway performances, solidifying its spot as the 27th longest running show in Broadway history. The current company was joined by past cast members onstage for the epic, final curtain call, and BroadwayWorld was there for the special celebration. Check out who made it back to the Bourbon Room below!
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: GIGI kicks off in D.C., BEAUTIFUL is on the hunt for its next Carole King, James McAvoy leads THE RULING CLASS revival in the West End and more!
The Buck Creek Players will continue their 41st season of quality theater, LIFE 101: A Season of Life Lessons, with the Indianapolis premiere comedy, QUARTET, by Ronald Harwood.
Jean-Claude Baker, owner of Chez Josephine, passed away earlier this morning at the age of 71. Chez Josephine is a French restaurant that is well-known amongst the Broadway community and was referred to as a 'Cocktail of human beings' by Baker.
The five-time Tony Award-nominated Rock of Ages plays its final performance on Sunday, January 18, 2015 after 22 preview and 2,328 Broadway performances, solidifying its spot as the 27th longest running show in Broadway history. Below, BroadwayWorld bids adieu to the musical with a special flashback!
Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2015, beginning with the spring season performance and residency series running January 14 to June 28. Programs at BAC throughout 2015 will exemplify the kind of creative engagement for which BAC has earned recognition during the last decade: presenting and nurturing artists from around the world, at varying stages in their careers, and who are working innovatively across disciplines.
As part its 10th Anniversary Spring 2015 season, Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) proudly presents the New York Premiere of Carmen de Lavallade's As I Remember It, February 19-21 and 24 at 8PM, and February 25 at 1PM in the Jerome Robbins Theater. This intimate autobiographical performance combines movement and storytelling to weave a poignant memoir of Carmen de Lavallade's extraordinary career, highlighting the legendary artist's singular place in cultural history.
The Public Theater presents the 11th annual UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL, running today, January 7-18, 2015.
A slew of plays and musicals will open on Broadway in Spring 2015, but where there is good news, there is also sad. To make room for highly-anticipated new productions such as Finding Neverland, On the Twentieth Century and Doctor Zhivago, some of our most beloved shows must close for good.
Below, BroadwayWorld salutes the shows that will soon be taking their final Broadway bows. Get your tickets now to catch them while you still can!
Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2015, beginning with the spring season performance and residency series running January 14 to June 28. Programs at BAC throughout 2015 will exemplify the kind of creative engagement for which BAC has earned recognition during the last decade: presenting and nurturing artists from around the world, at varying stages in their careers, and who are working innovatively across disciplines.
Jamie Lloyd's ground breaking, splash hit production of Urinetown The Musical has been voted the Best New Musical In The West End in the BroadwayWorld.com UK 2014 awards as renowned comedian Phill Jupitus(Never Mind The Buzzc*cks, QI, Hairspray, Monty Python's Spamalot) steps into the role of the tyrannical Caldwell B. Cladwell, from Monday 1 December.
The Public Theater announced today that JOSEPHINE AND I, the London hit by Olivier nominated actress and writer Cush Jumbo, has been added to The Public's downtown spring season. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the New York premiere of JOSEPHINE AND I will begin performances at Joe's Pub at The Public on Friday, February 27 and run through Sunday, April 5, with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 10.
Tommy Tune, Colin Donnell, Danny Gardner, Jeff Hiller, Erin Mackey, Patti Murin, Richard Poe, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Kirsten Wyatt will star in George and Ira Gershwin's Lady, Be Good, the opening production of New York City Center's 2015 Encores! season, running for seven performances, February 4 - 8, 2015. Lady, BeGood will be directed by Mark Brokaw and choreographed by Randy Skinner. Founding Encores! Music Director Rob Fisher will return as Guest Music Director, and has supervised the restoration of the Gershwins' original score.
Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its performances through the rest of November 2014. Visit www.joespub.com for a complete list of shows and scroll down for more!
The producers of the five-time Tony Award-nominated ROCK OF AGES announced today that the production will play its final performance on Sunday, January 18, 2015 after 22 preview and 2,328 Broadway performances, solidifying its spot as the 27th longest running show in Broadway history.
THE RIVER opens tonight, November 16, at Circle in the Square (50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue), where it will play a strictly limited 13-week engagement through Sunday, January 25, 2015. Scroll down to learn more about the full cast, and watch interviews with the company below!
Five-time Tony Award-nominated Rock of Ages welcomes 'Big Brother' star Frankie J. Grande in his return to Broadway in the smash-hit musical, beginning tonight, November 10, 2014. Grande will star in the role of 'Franz' - the free-spirited son of German developer Hertz Klineman, who threatens to tear down the Sunset Strip - through January 18, 2015.
The Public Theater announced the exciting international line-up today for the 11th annual UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL, running January 7-18, 2015. This popular and highly-anticipated program of The Public Theater's winter season will include artists from across the U.S. and around the world, including Argentina, Iran, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Curated by Co-Directors Mark Russell and Meiyin Wang, this year's UNDER THE RADAR will also mark the launch of the new Devised Theater Working Group which will present eight works-in-process as part of the festival's INCOMING! Series.
PITTSBURGH – Captain's Log, Stardate November 2014. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conductor Jack Everly and host George Takei take audiences to galaxies far, far away to explore new worlds with lights, music and lots of action during PNC Pops “Sci-Fi Spectacular” at Heinz Hall on November 14-16.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Major productions of 'The King And I' and 'Camelot,' two versions of 'Titanic,' season announcements from Light Opera Works and The Music Theatre Company, JRB in Skokie, three G&S shows in rep, the new musicals 'Frederick' and 'The Guide To Being Single,' and more!
ROCK OF AGES just Tweeted a first look at its new star, YouTube sensation Chester See, as 'Stacee Jaxx'. Check it out below!
| 2015 | Off-Broadway |
Public Theatre Production Off-Broadway |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Cush Jumbo |
| 2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Solo Performance | Cush Jumbo |
| 2015 | The Lortels | Outstanding Costume Design | Anthony Ward |
| 2015 | The Lortels | Outstanding Solo Show | 0 |
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