Coming Soon
First Look: Audra McDonald as Garderobe in Beauty And The Beast
Disney’s timeless classic Beauty and the Beast gets a new live-action twist with a star-studded cast, including some theatre royalty. Six-time Tony Award winner and TV star, Audra McDonald appears as “Madame Garderobe,” alongside Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Emma Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellan, Ewan McGregor, Luke Evans, and Broadway veteran Josh Gad.
Disney has modified the film for modern audiences with songs from the original film, along with new songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice.
McDonald’s career has spanned over two decades, from Ragtime and Private Practice to Porgy & Bess and Lady Day, a stunning performance immortalising Billie Holiday at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, which earned the star her latest Tony in all four performance categories. However, we’ve never seen her like this!
McDonald lends her voice to the Prince’s opera-singing lady in waiting; the French word “Garderobe” translates to “wardrobe.” She’ll appear singing a new number, “Aria,” during the prologue, as well as the “Beauty and the Beast” reprise.
Listen to the finale here.
Recently, McDonald sat down with The View to share some information and insight into her character, describing her as a “diva”: “[Garderobe] fancies herself the greatest opera singer in the world and now she’s stuck in this castle, in this wardrobe,” she continued, “She’s also very fashionable and loves fashion—so the chance to dress Belle makes her very happy.”
Beauty and the Beast stands in a long line of upcoming Disney live-action features including Mulan, Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, and the recently-announced The Lion King, starring Donald Glover and Tony-winner James Earl Jones.
While the film has faced some controversy and backlash over the inclusion of its “first gay character,” it has demolished the box office in ticket pre-sales with predictions that it may open to over $120 million, according to Deadline.
See Garderobe make a memorable grand entrance in the clip below:
The ageless tale of “loving the beauty within” has a release date of Friday, March 17, 2017.
Celebrity Takeover
Tituss Burgess Has New Music, A New Movie, & No Time For Mess + The Preacher’s Wife Musical Update
On Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Tituss Burgess gave us an update on his musical adaptation of the 1996 movie, The Preacher’s Wife – starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. On the late-night talk show, a viewer called in to ask if there had been any updates regarding the show and Burgess shared that:
“ We are very close to signing with a hot-shot producer in New York, which means that the show is closer to appearing in London or here. But there’s also a recent development which could delay it for the better. You’ll find out about it later”
So not only do we know that the musical is still on its way to bless us, but there is an announcement about the show on the way! If you ask me, this is incredibly exciting. Tituss Burgess’ career has gone from stage to screen, and his abilities as an actor and singer are undeniable. Knowing that we are closer to seeing his skills as a musical theatre composer is mad exciting. Watch a clip from the interview above.
While we wait for The Preacher’s Wife Musical, listen to Burgess’ newly released EP Saint Tituss. Burgess sings his face off as he skillfully talks about issues that are personal and political — all while wrapping things up with a joyous celebration of resilience as positivity. He also has two songs that feature Daniel J. Watts including the single 45
He also has a new movie on the way. “Dolemite Is My Name” starring Eddie Murphy along with Burgess, Mike Epps, Chris Rock, & more will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. A national release date has not been set as of yet but is sure to be on its way.
While discussing the new movie during the same interview, Cohen asked Burgess about his relationship with Murphy. The way Cohen presented the question insinuates there might have been a problem between the two because of a ‘problematic past with the gays’ on Murphy’s part. The response given by Burgess is swift and loaded with “you tried it, but you won’t get me”:
“He wasn’t problematic for Tituss. We had a wonderful time. We talked about Dreamgirls and he should have won the Oscasr, I believe. He was great. Any troubles he may have had with gay people I guess are gone because he loved me.”
and this is why we live.
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