Celebrity Takeover
First Look: Wayne Brady as Lola In Kinky Boots
The show that made Billy Porter a Tony Award winner and ultimately let the world see his light shine will be lead by a new star. Porter will pass the torch to Emmy Award winner Wayne Brady, who will take on the role of Lola starting November 21. Porter will play his last show on November 20 and will be moving on to create a new role in Shuffle Along with a host of other Tony Award winners, as previously announced.
Wayne Brady is no stranger to the stage. He is probably best known for his role on the improv comedy series “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” but he appeared in the hit musical Chicago as Billy Flynn back in 2004. He later played Collins in a Neil Patrick Harris directed production of RENT at the Hollywood Bowl in 2010. He also starred in a production of Kiss Me Kate at the Pasadena Playhouse last year. So he’s pretty well equipped for the challenge that is “Lola,” it seems.
“I’m thrilled to join the Kinky Boots family and unleash my inner Lola,” says Brady. “It’s the role of a lifetime! Billy and his prodigious talent have left some pretty big red boots for me to fill. Starring in a Broadway show of this caliber has been my dream since I started performing at age 16. I’m ready to jump in with both feet!”
“Wayne Brady is a wonderful triple threat. I first had the pleasure of working with Wayne on a Disney film and have been a fan ever since,” adds Kinky Boots director Jerry Mitchell. “Like Lola, he has the sass, the voice and the heart and we cannot wait to see him strut his stuff when he joins the Kinky Boots family!”
Kinky Boots is a British film turned Broadway smash hit about Charlie Price who is the owner of a failing shoe factory. However, he soon finds that Lola, a sassy drag queen, has the answer to save his factory. It’s a wonderful musical, truly enjoyed by the whole family. This is a great role for Brady. Like he said, he’s got some big boots to fill. The musical score was created by Cyndi Lauper and the book by Harvey Fierstein.
This photo is credited to Joan Marcus and was first seen on Vanity Fair. Accompanying the photo was a article that discussed several things, including Wayne Brady’s drag name. Her name is Cinnamon de Bergerac and she will be appearing in L.A. really really soon, he says. Brady wants to try out the alter ego before heading to Broadway. In the interview he also says:
“I’ll really be going in, and making something of it. After we did our photo shoot, I saw some of the proof pictures. And I’ve gotta say, while I won’t be winning any beauty contests, I definitely think that I’m a very attractive Lola—and you don’t see any of Wayne Brady there, you definitely see Lola.”
Read the entire article HERE
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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