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Brandy Norwood Gives Back To Garden Of Dreams

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Brandy Norwood has been making headlines for her Broadway performance as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago lately, but she recently took time out of her schedule to mentor children who are preparing to be in a talent show, and also participate in the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which helps children that are facing obstacles like poverty, homelessness, illness – and offers them once-in-a-lifetime experiences through the Madison Square Garden Company.  The program started in 2006, and has created enduring programs and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that have brought joy and happiness to more than 275,000 children and their families.

(Photo credit: MSG Photos)

The Foundation works with 25 partner organizations throughout the New York area (to include hospitals, wish organizations and community-based organizations) to reach children who are facing challenges such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care.

Some of the celebrities who have given their time to be a part of this special experience include: Susan Sarandon, Dave Chappelle, John McEnroe, Adrienne Bailon, Sara Bareilles, Swizz Beatz, Miguel, Mindless Behavior, Michelle Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Cruz, Billy Crudup, Seth Meyers, Adam Horovitz and Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC, Mark Hoppus of Blink 182, Jane Krakowski, New York Knicks players, the Rockettes and Broadway stars.

The Garden of Dreams Talent Show, called “Musical Dreams,” was held at Radio City Music Hall on June 18 at 7pm and will have over 100 children onstage performing their talent for their friends and families.  Last year over 3,300 people attended; the show is free and open to the public.Norwood recently extended her run in Chicago until August 2 at the Ambassador Theatre

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Events and Happenings

Erika Dickerson-Despenza Addresses Flint Water Crisis with Cullud Wattah

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Playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza

There is limited seating left for Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s new play CULLUD WATTAH at The Public Theater. Opening today, Thursday, March 7th and running until Sunday, March 10th in the Public Studio is about three generations of Black women living through the current water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

“It’s been 936 days since Marion’s family has had clean water. When local activists file a class action lawsuit against the city, Marion—a third-generation employee at General Motors—must decide how best to support her two daughters, sister, and mother while lead seeps into the community, their home, and their bodies. As corrosive memories and secrets rise among them, the family wonders if they’ll ever be able to filter out the truth.”

2018 Relentless Award Semifinalist and poet-playwright makes her Public Theater debut with CULLUD WATTAH directed by Lilly Award winner Candis C. Jones; the cast includes Deonna Bouye (Marion), Alana Raquel Bowers (Reesee), Caroline Stefanie Clay (Big Ma), Nikiya Mathis (Ainee), and Kara Young (Plum).

The creative team includes Production Stage Manager Gregory Fletcher, Stage Manager Priscilla Villanueva, and Movement Director Adesola Osakalumi. Along with scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, Costume Design by Ntokozo Fuzunina Kunene, lighting Design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, and sound design by Megan Culley

We believe in this work so much we’re giving away 4 tickets to the performances on March 10th. 2 tickets to the matinee and two the evening performance thanks to our founder Drew Shade and actress/playwright Jocelyn Bioh. Go to our Instagram to find out how!

Also, find out more about how you can help the Flint Water Crisis and support this show HERE.

Listen to Erika talk about her work on an episode of Off Book Podcast below

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Events and Happenings

Surely Goodness and Mercy by Chisa Hutchinson Begins Off-Broadway

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Performances begin today, Tuesday February 26th, for the New York premiere of  Surely Goodness and Mercy, presented by Keen Company. A story about an exceptional boy living a troubled life in Newark, NJ who does a good deed for an often unnoticed person.   Sarita Covington, Jay Mazyck, Brenda Pressley, Courtney Thomas, and Cezar Williams star under Jessi D. Hill’s direction.

Set in an under-funded public school in Newark, Surely Goodness and Mercy by rising playwright Chisa Hutchinson, tells the story of a bible-toting boy with a photographic memory who befriends the cantankerous old lunch lady. Against all odds, Tino and Bernadette help each other through the mess of growing up and growing old.  

Surely Goodness and Mercy has spent the last year charming audiences across the country: “Notably absent from Hutchinson’s frank and sobering story: cynicism” – Chicago Reader; “(Surely Goodness and Mercy has) a soul-stirring quality, touching audiences with its sincerity” – Daily Utah Chronicle; “it’s impossible not to like it” – The Salt Lake Tribune. Now, Keen is honored to bring this big-hearted new play to New York for the first time.

Performances for this limited Off-Broadway engagement of Surely Goodness and Mercy will continue through Saturday, April 13th only, with opening night set for Wednesday, March 13th.

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