The Life was originally produced at the off-Broadway “Wesbeth Theatre” in July of 1990. The production was later directed on Broadway by Michael Blakemore at the “Ethel Barrymore Theatre” on April 26, 1997. The production closed on June 7, 1998 after four hundred and sixty-six performances and twenty-one previews.
The Life probes the depths of 42st Street Time Square, outlawed by flesh-peddlers and prostitutes, junkies and dealers, and runways in the epoch prior to its Disneyfication.
Among the award winning cast were Chuck Cooper, Sam Harris, Pamela Isaacs, Lillias White and Bellamy Young (Mellie from ABC’s Scandal). White and Cooper both won Tony Awards for their performances.
On May 17, 2015, the Broadway supper club “54 Below” located at 254 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019, will be presenting the opportunity to be transported back to a pre-Disney Time Square. When “The Life” returns to the streets of New York featuring members of the original cast such as Bellamy Young with appearances by Felicia Finely and Katy Grenfell. Also featuring Marcus Paul James, Telly Leung, Ciara Renee, and Raena White
In 1997, the beloved Broadway musical The Life transported us back to a pre-Disney Times Square—a much grittier time in NYC where hookers, hustlers, and even young dreamers battled it out in a game of survivor. For one night only, The Life returns to the “Great White Way” featuring members of the Tony-nominated original cast. Hear the fantastic Cy Coleman- Ira Gasman score, including the songs “The Oldest Profession”, “My Body”, “People Magazine”, “My Friend”, and more. Be sure to “check it out!” Musical directed by Jesse Vargas.
Just for old times sake, watch the Tony Award winning performance from Lillias White for her role in The Life; As well as, Bellamy Young from Scandal fame below.
Tony & Grammy Nominee Hailey Kilgore will make her solo concert debut at Feinstein’s/54 Below this month! The Once On This Island star makes her debut following the closing of the Tony-winning revival, and she’s clearly got more stories to tell!
The concert entitled Mirrors is a night of celebration including the music that has influenced her meteoric rise. On January 30th 9:30 pm she shares her personal life story as a young girl to a young woman on the Broadway stage.
The 19-year-old vocalist has a set list that ranges from Jason Robert Brown to Alicia Keys. One thing we can say is that this show will sell out! So, stop waiting for life to begin and mark your calendars.
Broadway may go dark on Mondays, but Broadway Black stars were still shining all over New York City last night.
First up was the New York POPS Underground performance. Formerly known as “Cabaret Evening,” Underground is the intimate offering of New York Pops orchestra. Hosted at the infamous Feinstein’s/54 Below the benefit supports NY Pops music education program, PopsEd. Last night’s special guests were Tony Yazbeck and Tony Award nominee Montego Glover. The ever joyful Glover performed a few musical favorites including “I Loves You Porgy,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” and a jazzy rendition of the Memphis delight, “Someday.”
Before recognizing Queens P.S. 175 Principal Patricia Cooper as the first honoree of the NY PopsEd initiative, Glover shared, ” I know from experience that music has the power to save, to guide, to inspire. I am standing as living proof that music has done exactly that.”
Glover and Yazbeck closed the show with an exciting duet of “Feelin’ Good” featuring Tony’s incredible tapping skills and Montego effortlessly belting notes that only dogs can hear. Hate that we couldn’t share it with you, but we were just too busy being entertained to capture it on film!
Next, it was down to the West Village to see Darling, a developmental piece by Ryan Scott Oliver. Following the smooth Nicholas Christopher (Hamilton) as Peter and the vocally stunning Kerstin Anderson as Wendy “Darling,” this abstract musical is a contemporary telling of Peter Pan like you’ve never imagined it before.
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Producers, Motown Choreographer Warren Adams and Hamilton star Brandon Victor Dixon, were on hand to introduce the show to an enthusiastic audience at the hip Le Poisson Rouge. The brilliant musical arrangement told a captivating story while highlighting the young cast’s musical aptitude and artistry. Vocal standouts included leads Christopher and Anderson, singing for the GODS for the duration of the show, the Lost Boys, with their soulful, sassy musical quips, and Les Miserables vet Brennyn Lark, taking sexy to a WHOLE other level. The recorded event concluded with a thunderous standing ovation from the audience, confirming this show is exactly what young theater lovers want. Keep an eye out for this one. It’s gonna be big!
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