Celebrity Takeover
Michelle Williams Will Star in Aida at The Muny
Meet me in St. Louis! Seriously. This summer, Grammy Award-winner Michelle Williams, known for being 1/3 of Destiny’s Child, will return to the stage in a role she knows very well. She will star as Aida at The Muny, an outdoor musical amphitheatre in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. In 2003, the star made her Broadway debut in the title role of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. Since that graceful entrance into the lights, Williams has found a home that she can always return to, having done so previously starring in The Color Purple, Chicago, & Fela!
The Muny‘s production of Aida will be directed by Matt Lenz and choreographed by John Rua with music direction by Andrew Graham. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced. However, Muny artistic director and executive producer Mike Isaacson had this to say in a statement:
“We’re thrilled Michelle Williams will star as our Aida. It is one of the most iconic roles in contemporary musical theater, and I can’t wait to see her create her particular brand of musical magic on the Muny stage.”
The news was announced on IG by @RealMichelleW
The original Broadway production won four 2000 Tony Awards including Best Actress by Heather Headley, who originated the title role.
Recently Michelle has co-hosted ABC Television’s The View & been quite insightful on the reality show Fix My Choir on the Oxygen Network.
Watch Michelle Williams sing a small snippet of Easy as Life 13 years ago below and imagine how much of a slay she’ll be in the role today.
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.
