Grantham Coleman joins Tessa Ferrer and Michael Stahl-David in the forthcoming Public Theater production and New York premiere of Tracey Scott Wilson’s Buzzer.
Jackson left his tough Brooklyn neighborhood by winning a scholarship to Exeter, where he met Don, a play-hard rich boy who became his unlikely best friend. Now a Harvard-educated lawyer, Jackson’s bought a place in the newly gentrifying area he grew up in. But Jackson’s white girlfriend, Suzy, isn’t so sure she belongs in a community “on the verge.” When Don comes to crash with his old buddy and stay clean, his stories of the neighborhood’s dangerous past collide with the growing disconnect between Jackson and Suzy, and the treacherous sexual and racial tensions waiting just beyond the door and demanding to be let in.
Playwright Tracey Scott Wilson (The Good Negro, The Story) returns to The Public with BUZZER, adarkly funny, intensely gripping new play The Chicago Tribune calls “a sizzling drama about race, real estate and sexual betrayal.”
I had the pleasure of seeing Grantham on stage here in Los Angeles at The Geffen Playhouse, in their production of Choir Boy (written by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Trip Cullman). He is definitely a talent to keep an eye on. His other credits include One Night (Cherry Lane Theatre), Choir Boy (Manhattan Theatre Club), Romeo and Juliet (Actors Theatre of Louisville), and As You Like It (Public Theater). Grantham is a graduate of the JuilliardDrama Division.
Buzzer is directed by Anne Kauffman, and runs from March 24th to April 26.
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.”
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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