Connect with us

Coming Soon

August Wilson’s Jitney Coming To Broadway

Published

on

August Wilson’s Jitney is coming to Broadway. Did you hear us?! AUGUST WILSON’S JITNEY IS COMING TO BROADWAY!

The only play from King August’s ten play cycle to not see a Broadway stage is finally on it’s way. The Manhattan Theater Club will bring the production to life at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre with previews beginning Wednesday, December 28, 2016. Opening night will be Thursday, January 19, 2017. Jitney is the eighth play in the Century Cycle.

Jitney, which was written in 1979, was the first written play of Wilson’s cycle work, premiering in 1982. After an extensive re-write it premiered for a second time at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in 1996. Also, the play opened off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre in 2000. 

Only one of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’’s plays in the author’’s masterful “The American Century Cycle” has never been seen on Broadway –until now. Set in the early 1970s, this richly textured piece follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys. When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss’’ son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone at last. MTC has a long history of co-producing works by this legendary playwright: King Hedley II, Seven Guitars and The Piano Lesson, and is proud to produce this Broadway debut. Directing is Ruben Santiago-Hudson, one of Wilson’’s finest interpreters.

With casting and production team to be released in the coming weeks, you can bet Broadway Black will be keeping up with the journey of what is sure to be one of the hottest tickets next season! We couldn’t be more excited to see an August Wilson work on Broadway again! This year we saw the most diverse season in Broadway history, but some are slow to celebrate because of how few culturally diverse shows are lined up for 2017. With the addition of Jitney, there may be hope that the magic of 2016 will continue into next year!

Advertisement
3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: WATCH: Broadway Black Favorites Take Home Obie Awards (Full Show)

  2. Pingback: Mykelti Williamson & Russell Hornsby Join Fences Movie Cast

  3. Pingback: Denzel Washington Led Fences Film Will Open Christmas Day

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Celebrity Takeover

Tituss Burgess Has New Music, A New Movie, & No Time For Mess + The Preacher’s Wife Musical Update

Published

on

Tituss Burgess' Saint Tituss EP cover
Tituss Burgess' Saint Tituss EP cover

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

St. Tituss is available on Spotify, apple music, and other streaming platforms.

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.”

It is the following facial expression and the interaction that comes afterward that makes live television great. You can see Burgess say something to someone off-camera which leads Cohen to ask what he’s saying. Burgess replies with a soon-to-be iconic response to everything: “Keep going, girl. Do your show.”

and this is why we live.

Continue Reading

Coming Soon

The Public Theater Will Present Hercules Musical & Hercules Is Black!

Published

on

The Muses via Hercules film

We knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when. Back in 2017, we reported that a musical adaptation of the Disney movie Hercules would be headed to Broadway. Now we can confirm that is somewhat true.

Hercules will be the latest Disney musical to be made for the stage and will play Off-Broadway at the Public Theater’s Delacorte Theater in Central Park. As the final show of the Shakespeare in the Park season theater season performances will run August 31 through September 8 with a reading set to take place in April.

The role of Hercules will be played by a Black actor, according to the casting notice

The musical will include the Oscar-nominated “Go the Distance, along with other songs from the 1997 animated film by Alan Menken & David Zippel. Presented through an arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, the show will be directed by Lear deBessonet.  The creative team also includes a book by Kristoffer Diaz, & choreography by Chase Brock.

Before Hercules, Kenny Leon will direct the Much Ado About Nothing May 21 through June 23 to begin the Shakespeare in the Park season.

Casting for all both productions will be announced at a later date

Continue Reading

Twitter: @BroadwayBlack

Hot Topics