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Celebrity Takeover

Justin Guarini Stars In Premiere of Moonshine

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Justin Guarini will bring the theatre to the lone-star state when he stars in the world premiere of Moonshine: That Hee-haw Musical in Dallas.

Taking place in present-day Kornfield Kounty, the show follows Misty Mae (Rose Hemingway), a girl with big dreams, who leaves her microscopic hometown behind to chase her dreams in the “big city” of Tampa. When Misty returns home to visit her friends and family with her new love (Guarini), who turns out to be a cunning city slicker, everything goes haywire. The comedic musical, loosely based on the popular television series, features a score by multi-Award winning artists Brandy Clark, a book by Robert Horn, with direction by Gary Griffin and choreography by Denis Jones.

Guarini first made his presence known when he rocketed to fame in 2002 as the first-runner up of the debut season of American idol. According to his website Guarini was inspired to become an entertainer at young age and said, “As I watched The Jackson 5’s  “Victory Tour” in 1986, at the long-forgotten Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GA…I made a decision that would forever shape my life. I said out loud, to myself, “I want to do that”. Justin used his introduction to the masses, from American Idol, as catalyst to solidify himself as an all around entertainer.

He has starred on Broadway in Wicked, Romeo & Juliet (starring  Condola Rashad & Orlando Bloom), American Idiot, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown opposite Brian Stokes Mitchell. Earlier this summer the entertainer was tapped to host the simulcast of the Tony Awards in Times Square alongside Broadway Black actress Deborah Cox (Aida, Jekyll & Hyde)

Opry Entertainment and Fox Theatricals will be producing the show, in conjunction with Dallas Theater Center.Performances of Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical will take place at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, in Dallas, from September 2 to October 11.

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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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Cast List

Amber Riley & MJ Rodriguez Will Star in Little Shop of Horrors

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Amber Riley and Mj Rodriguez

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Olivier Award winner for her portrayal of Effie White in London’s West End production of DreamgirlsAmber 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.

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