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For The Last Time Brings New Orleans Jazz To NYC

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Broadway Black LOVES jazz! We’ve gotten the scoop on a wonderful new musical opening in NYC that is sure to be a hit! For the Last Time will get its world premiere at Theater Row’s Clurman Theatre. Preview performances began May 19, officially opening May 28 and running through June 20, 2015. It is set in 1950’s New Orleans and follows four young artists who create an Eden of music and art. But the past forces its way into their lives, and an act of passion changes everything. The new jazz musical, FOR THE LAST TIME, is inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Marble Faun, and features a powerhouse young cast backed by an 8-piece jazz ensemble.

The cast features: Brittany Campbell (The Civil War), Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Regional: Macbeth, The Color Purple), Kim Exum (As You Like It), Britton Smith (After Midnight), Anita Welch (Bubble Boy), Reggie D. White (Party People, Dogsbody) and Jason Veasey (Beautiful, The Lion King). Band includes: Associate Musical Director Alphonso Horne (Trumpet), Owen Broder (Woodwind), Carrie Dowell (Violin), Robert Edwards (Trombone), Nathan Ellman-Bell (Drums), Eleanor Norton (Cello), and Eric Wheeler (Bass).Creative team includes: John McDermott (Scenic Designer), Whitney Locher (Costume Designer), Jimmy Lawlor (Lighting Designer), Kevin Heard (Sound Designer), Judy Merrick (Properties Designer), Cristina Knutson (Fight Choreographer), Angie Hesterman (Stage Manager), Michael Cassara (Casting) Corey Pearlstein (General Manager), Orchestration by Dennis Mackrel, Music Direction by Cody Owen Stine.

For the Last Time cast (L-R): Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kim Exum, Anita Welch, Brittany Campbell, Reggie D. White and Britton Smith. Not featured in the photo is cast member Jason Veasey. Photo by Russ Rowland

“This is a thrill for me to hear my songs sung by these gifted actor/singers. And to hear all the music played by our fantastic group of young jazz musicians. I am so grateful to Dennis Mackrel for his amazing arrangements which manage to sound fresh and still are faithful to Roland Hanna’s original conception for the jazz album we did some years ago. This is my fourth collaboration with inspiring colleague Will Pomerantz, and I think with this show we have captured a rare energy where jazz and theater meet.” –  Nancy Harrow | For The Last Time composer/ lyricist/ co-book writer,

“Nancy Harrow is a unique talent. As a singer, she has recorded with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the history of the art form. As a songwriter, she taps into this deep well of experience, as well as her love of literature. Nancy is able to conjure character and story breathtakingly through song, and only Nancy could have figured out how to marry jazz and Nathaniel Hawthorne! With this wonderful company of actors and musicians, Hawthorne’s tale of love and crime is sure to sing.”  – Will Pomerantz | For The Last Time co-book writer/ director

Theater Row’s Clurman Theatre is located at 410 West 42nd St. New York,NY 10036

Tickets can be purchased by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.Telecharge.com. Also, visit www.ForTheLastTimeMusical.com for more information and to preview some of the songs!

 

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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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Music

Beyoncé Releases The Lion King: The Gift Album & Spirit + Bigger Extended Video

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There aren’t any words necessary beyond Beyoncé. She is truly in a lane of her own is consistently reinventing industry guidelines and standards. This type of domination is unparalleled. She’s crossing over into every nook and cranny.

The Lion King inspired album by Beyoncé has arrived, and our lives are now over. Appropriately titled The Lion King: The Gift, this new album with African influences is what we needed to go along with the film classics. We didn’t know it, but King Bey did thank goodness.

Along with the 27 track album, Beyonce has also dropped a music video for the first single “Spirit,” and just today an extended cut of the video that includes the first song from the album, “Bigger” has been released.

Get into the album on any streaming platform of your choice.

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