BLACKS ON BROADWAY
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
Blacks Are Booming On Broadway!
Harlem Community Newspapers | February 13. 2020
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lacks are on Broadway in multitudes in productions that run the gamete. There are 32 Broadway productions with 23 musicals and 9 plays in 2020. You see the names of playwrights like Dominique Morriseau, who hit the scene last year with “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times of the Temptations”, Katori Hall, new at the end of 2019 with “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” and Charles Fuller with “A Soldier’s Play". 2020 is a time when we can lift up our eyes to the Broadway stage, whether it be at a play or musical and behold stunning performances by legendary artists and new Black artists who are making their mark. There are also many exciting productions to come in 2020. Going to Broadway productions is an opportunity to laugh, cry, feel inspired and be overwhelmed with pride to see our people giving their all! “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations,” features a book by African American playwright Dominique Morisseau, music and lyrics from Motown and is based on the book entitled “The Temptations” by Otis Williams. The musical stars Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams; James Harkness as Paul Williams; Jawan M. Jackson as Melvin Franklin; Jelani Remy as Eddie Kendricks and Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin. Ensemble members include: Esther Antoine; Caliaf Saint Aubyn; Shaun Bowers, E. Clayton Cornelius; Taylor Symone Jackson; Marcus Paul James; Jahi Kearse; Jarvis B. Manning Jr.; Nasia Thomas; Christian Thomp-
Arabian_Nights_Photo_by_Deen_van_Meer from Aladdin
son; Curtis Wiley; Correy West; Elijah Ahmad Lewis; Jamari Johnson Williams; Ta’Nika Gibson; Tiffany Frances and Candice Marie Woods. “Aladdin” is Disney’s movie story come to life and shares the story of Aladdin, a poor boy, falling in love with Princess Jasmine. The musical features Major Attaway as Genie; Jaz Sealey as Prince Abdullah/Ensemble; Jamie Kasey Patterson as the Henchmen/Ensemble; April Holloway and Olivia Donalson as Attendant/Ensemble. Ensemble members also include: Amber Owens; Paige Williams; Tiffany Evariste; Tia Altinay and Tyler Roberts. Ariel Reid is swing. “American Buffalo” begins March 24. The revival of the David Mamet play will tell the story of three hustlers trying to achieve the American dream. It will star Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne as Donny. “Beetlejuice”, is a musical, based on the movie of the same name. It has a book by Anthony King and Scott Brown, and music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect. The musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a teenager who asks a ghost to help her scar her parents out of their new home. Ensemble members
include: Gilbert L. Bailey II; Johnny Brantley III and Ramone Owens. “Birthday Candles” will begins April 2. The play by Noah Haidle tells the story of Ernestine Ashworth, a woman who reaches 101 years old and wonders, “What makes a lifetime into a life." The play will star EmmyAward winner Andre Braugher as Matt and feature Christopher Livingston as Billy/John. “The Book of Mormon” was created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. This musical deals with the Mormon faith. Derrick Williams plays the General; Sterling Jarvis plays Mafala Hatimbi and Kim Exum plays Nabulungi. Ensemble members include: Talia Brinson; Donell James Foreman; Darius Nichols; John Eric Parker; Arbender J. Robinson; Shanel Bailey; Jasmine Richardson; Oyoyo Joi and Maia Nkenge Wilson. Swing roles are performed by Jevares Myrick; Keziah John-Paul and Randy Aaron. “Caroline, Or Change” will begin March 13. The musical features book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori, and tells the story of Caroline, a maid in 1963 Louisiana who has to find a way to dealing with the changes happening
in the world. The musical will star Sharon D. Clarke as Caroline and features several performers including Alexander Bellos as Joe Thibodeaux; Arica Jackson as Washing Machine; Chinua Baraka Payne as Jackie Thibodeaux; Harper Miles as Harper Miles; Nasia Thomas a Radio 1; Nya as Radio 2 and Tamika Lawrence as Dotty Moffett. “Chicago” is a great musical to experience about the women of murderess row. It features captivating music, book and lyrics by John Dander and Fred Ebb, Raena White stars as Matron Mama Morton; and it features Arian Keddell as Mona and Jermaine R. Rembert as Martin Harrison. Sharon Moore is Swing. “Come From Away” is a musical about when the community of Gander, Newfoundland hosted passengers from 38 planes that were diverted to their air strip due to the attack on 9/11. It has a book, music and lyrics by David Kein and Irene Sankoff. De’Lon Grant plays as Bob and others and Kenita R. Miller plays as Hannah O’Rourke and Others. “Company” will play beginning March 2. The musical comedy features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by George Furth, and will tell the story of Bobbie who is celebrating her 35th birthday and being questioned by her friends about not being married with a family. The show will feature Nikki Renee Daniels as Jenny; Terence Archie as Larry and Rashidra Scott as Susan. “Dear Evan Hansen” has a book by Steven Levenson, music and lyrics by Benj
By Linda Armstrong
Pasek and Justin Paul. It is about Evan Hansen, a letter, a lie and a chance to live the life he’s always wanted. It stars Jordan Fisher in the title role of Evan Hansen and features Phoebe Koyabe as Alana Beck and Talia Simone Robinson as Zoe Murphy. “Frozen” is the Disney musical based on the beloved movie. It stars Noah J. Ricketts as Kristoff and features Tyrone L. Robinson as King Agnarr/Ensemble. Ensemble members include; Cajai Fellows Johnson; Keely Beirne; and Tracee Beazer. Travis Patton is
Swing. “Hadestown” has Anais Mitchell as the solo author who wrote the music, lyrics and book. It tells the mythical story of Orpheus trying to overcome Hades and get back to his love. The musical stars the one-and-only Andre DeShields in the role Hermes, which by the way, earned him his first Tony award after 50 years of performing! It features Amber Gray as Persephone; and Jewellle Blackman as one of three Fates. Workers include: Afra Hines; Anthony Chatmom III and Kimberly Marable. Swings include:
Cast of Tina The Tina Turner Musical
Swing. “Girl From The North Country” is written and directed by Conor McPherson with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan. It tells the story of a down-on-its-luck community on the brink of change in Duluth, Minnesota in 1934. The production features Jeannette Bayardelle as Mrs. Neilsen; Kimber Elayne Sprawl as Marianne; and Austin Scott as Joe Scott. Ensemble members include: Matthew Frederick Harris and Chelsea Lee Williams, with Law Terrell Dunford as
Khaila Wilcoxon, T. Oliver Reid and Malcolm Armwood. Vacation Swings include: Adam Hyndman and Damani Van Rensalier. “Hamilton” is an incredibly musical that focuses on the life of Alexander Hamilton. It has a book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The cast stars Daniel Breaker as Alexander Hamilton and features Krystal Joy Brown as Eliza Hamilton; James Monroe Iglehart in the duel roles of Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Tamar Greene as
