Coming Soon
Eddie Cooper Replaces Father Chuck Cooper in Little Shop of Horrors With Jake Gyllenhaal
You may know Eddie Cooper from his recurring role as Fat Au in the Cinemax series Banshee, he will be taking over the role of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, which was to be played by his father Chuck Cooper. His father, the Tony Award winning actor (Best Featured Actor, Memphis in The Life. 1996.) will be taking on Broadway in Amazing Grace at the Nederlander Theatre
Eddie Cooper is a native of Hell’s Kitchen and a graduate of the LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Cooper is also the recipient of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from Ithaca College. Other television credits include ABC’s Forever as well as a role in an upcoming HBO series Crime.
The show presented by Encores! Off-Center is running at New York City Center starring Ellen Greene, Jake Gyllenhaal and Taran Killam; it is directed by Dick Scanlan. The musical composed by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman is based on the 1960’s film of the same name. The comedy horror rock show follows the story of florist Seymour Krelborn (Gyllenhaal) who tries to court his lovable, but slightly daft co-worker Audrey (Greene) with a blood sucking crooning plant named Audrey II(Cooper).
Ramona Keller, Marva Hicks and Tracy Nicole Chapman as The Radio in Caroline, Or Change
The character is traditionally voiced offstage with the actor over a microphone. An R&B girl group, The Urchins, provides commentary on the action and will feature the original cast members of the Radio from Caroline, Or Change. Tracy Nicole Chapman as Chifon, Marva Hicks as Crystal and Ramona Keller as Ronnette.
The run is from July 1 to July 2 with only three performances. The New York Center is located and tickets can be purchased at 131 W 55th St (btwn 6th & 7th) New York, NY 10019 or by calling CityTix® at 212.581.1212. You can also visit nycitycenter.org
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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