Kenny Leon brings another member of The Cosby Show family to the stage under his direction. Malcolm Jamal Warner who has been affectionately known as Theo Huxtable for most of his life will take the stage as Dr. John Prentice in the stage adaptation of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Performances will run Nov. 29, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014 on the Fichandler Stage and we can not wait to see it!
The film version which starred the legendary Sidney Portier has been adapted for the stage to tell the story of “a progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter, fresh from an overseas romance, brings her African-American fiancé home to meet them. Personal beliefs clash with the mores of the late 60’s in this warm and witty exploration of family and culture and knowing which of them has the greater hold on our hearts.”
Warner is no stranger to the theatre:
Warner’s theatre credits include Three Ways Home, Cryinʼ Shame (NAACP Theater Award for Best Supporting Actor) and Freefall at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago; A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the La Jolla Playhouse in California; and the West Coast debut of his one-man theatrical production of Love and Other Social Issues.
Along with “The Cosby Show,” his TV work includes “Malcolm & Eddie,” which he starred in and produced, “Community,” “Hawthorne,” “The Cleaner,” “Dexter” and “Reed Between the Lines.” Film credits include “Drop Zone,” “Pictures Fools Gold,” “Restaurant,” “A Fare to Remember” and “The List.”
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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.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Olivier Award winner for her portrayal of Effie White in London’s West End production of Dreamgirls, Amber Riley (Dreamgirls UK) and Pose star Mj Rodriguez will star in a reimagined production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse in California.
Riley will take on the iconic voice of Audrey II while Rodriguez will star as Audrey alongside George Salazar (Be More Chill) as Seymour.
The show will run from Sept. 17-Oct. 20 with an official opening set for Sept. 25.
Little Shop of Horrors is considered a classic. It’s a horror-comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. It debuted Off-Broadway in 1982 and the movie version of 1986 introduced the world to young talents of Gina and Pam Tisha Campell and Tichina Arnold.
Directed by Mike Donahue, the design team includes scenic design by Dane Laffrey; costume design by Danae McQueen; lighting design by Josh Epstein; sound design by Veronika Vorel; and choreography and puppet design by Sean Cawelti.