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Debbie Allen Continues To Invest In Youth With High School Musical Theatre Program

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On Aug. 3, two weeks after celebrating her 32nd wedding anniversary with husband Norm Nixon, director-choreographer Debbie Allen announced that she will be at the helm of a brand new musical theatre initiative for high school students on her Twitter account.

 

According to her post, Allen’s latest enterprise is a pre-college musical theater program called “RISE” and is available only to high school students between the ages of 14 and 18. Beginning in the fall with only 15 available spots, auditions are by appointment only on Saturday, September 10, 2016. Very little else is known about the project.

 

For decades, youth education has been a passion of the legendary artist, who is also an influential dancer, actress and producer. In fact, in June, Allen directed and choreographed some of the most talented high school seniors from across the country for a one night only performance at the Kennedy Center. Out of more than 12,000 applications, the YoungArts Foundation and a White House commission selected only 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, with each student becoming the recipient of a presidential medal and cash awards of up to $10,000. In a weeklong workshop, Allen sought to whip these various multidisciplinary artists into triple-threat shape.

 

Allen, a three-time Primetime Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe recipient, has remained quite busy of late. Not only has she been directing various episodes for season 13 of “Grey’s Anatomy” while also serving as an executive producer, she is also campaigning for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and Freeze Frame, a multimedia production that promotes non-violence by providing snapshots of gang violence, the daily struggles of impoverished inner city families, drugs and interactions with local law enforcement in Los Angeles.

 

For more information, call (310) 202-1711.

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Celebrity Takeover

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

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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.

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Coming Soon

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

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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

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Twitter: @BroadwayBlack

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