Purlie Photos - Off-Broadway

This past Monday at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the stars of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch celebrated the 75th wedding anniversary of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. Leslie Odom Jr. and Kara Young, who play the roles that Davis and Dee originated in the current revival of Ossie Davis’ critically acclaimed play, read love letters from the couple’s archive that is housed at the Schomburg Center.

At the Wednesday evening performance of PURLIE VICTORIOUS: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch, the cast, led by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young, was treated to a special visit from former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton backstage at the Music Box Theatre. See photos here!

As we say goodbye to 2017, we remember all of those we have lost in this past year. From actors to directors and musicians, these people have shared their gifts with us and they will not be forgotten. Join BroadwayWorld in remembering some of these people below.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES begins previews Friday, November 11, 2016 and opens Friday, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

Earlier this week, legendary actresses of stage and screen, Ruby Dee died at the age of 91. According to sources, the actress was at her home in New Rochelle, NY, surrounded by family members when she passed away.

Broadway's Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street), just celebrated its 100th Anniversary yesterday, December 20th. The theatre, which opened on December 20, 1912 with a Peg O'My Heart starring Laurette Taylor, is currently home to the Broadway Premiere of Grace, which will end its limited engagement on January 6, 2013. It will next be home to the World Premiere production of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, a new play written by Richard Greenberg, which starts performances on Monday, March 4 and opens on Wednesday, March 20. The Cort Theatre is owned and operated by The Shubert Organization. Check out photos from the celebration below!

Actors Equity held a celebration for the 60th Anniversary of the Gypsy Robe on Monday night, October 25th at Sequoia on Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport where past gypsy robe winners came back to reminisce and to celebrate.

The Yale Repertory Theatre will present Danai Gurira's ECLIPSED with an opening night of October 29th. The cast will feature Pascale Armand, Zainab Jah, Adepero Oduye, Stacey Sargeant, and Shona Tucker.