Yes, you read that headline correctly. Motown The Musical is closing a mere 19 days after its opening.
The show based on the history of Motown Records, the Detroit-based record company that gave the world Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye and so many others, was set to have a limited run. It was initially set to end the limited engagement Nov. 13. Now producer, Kevin McCollum, has announced the show will be closing July 31.
The musical was recently on Broadway back in 2013 and ran for 775 performances to great reviews, but this second go-round the build up and hype for the show wasn’t there (sips tea), so the show only reached about 37 percent of its grossing potential last week.
*Stands on soap box*
It’s a sad time on Broadway for us. With some of our favorite shows closing abruptly and the upcoming season looking melanin deficient, we can only keep our fingers crossed that things will turn around. Everyone wants to take a chance on a “Hamilton”, but it appears to be disingenuous and “just business.” If “diversity” doesn’t make a dollar right away, it’s shelved and we end up right back where we started. Shows written and performed by people of color are not “trendy”. They are a reflection of our lives and our lives matter. We deserve to be represented and, more importantly, we deserve to be FAUGHT FOR.
So here is our call out. Calling all aspiring Broadway producers, writers, actors, media OF COLOR! Now is the time to get inspired and step up to the plate! It is a fact that people only fight for what they believe in. We believe in ourselves. It’s time to prove it.
*Steps down off soap box*
You have little more than a week to catch Motown The Musical before it closes! Get your tickets now!
Yes, You read that right. Snoop Dogg will make his theatrical debut in a new stage play titled Redemption of a Dogg also starring R&B superstar Tamar Braxton. Teaming up with the same producer who brought us Set It Off Live!, Je’CaryousJohnson, the play will begin touring in October starting in Houston, TX.
Johnson also serves as writer and director for the production, described as the chronicles of “a character built around the persona of Snoop Dogg – a multi-faceted character who is a gangsta rapper, family man and man of God.”
The stage play is said to ‘examine the internal battle one man has between preserving his life-long legacy and losing the love of his life when he is faced with choosing fame and fortune over faith and family.”
“Redemption of a Dogg is set against a backdrop of Snoop Dogg’s greatest hits, as well as, songs from his recently released chart-topping Gospel album, Bible Of Love.” according to the press release.
“Please believe you’ve never seen urban theatre like this! With my flavor and his (Je’Caryous Johnson) expertise, we’re gonna bring the people an unmissable show. I can’t wait for everyone out there to see it!” — Snoop Dogg
FALL 2018 REDEMPTION OF A DOGG TOUR DATES:
October 5-7 Houston, TX Hobby Center
October 11 Newark, NJ NJPAC
October 12-13 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
October 14 Brooklyn, NY Kings Theatre
October 19 St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre
October 20-21 Chicago, IL Arie Crown
October 25-27 Detroit, MI Music Hall
October 28 Cleveland, OH KeyBank State Theatre
November 2 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
November 8 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
November 9-11 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
November 16 Los Angeles, CA Microsoft Theater
November 17 Long Beach, CA Terrace Theater
November 18 Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre
*Dates Subject to Change Without Notice and More Cities To Be Added
It’s time Y’all, for the 2018 Tony Awards. This Sunday. Go to church. Grab a plate from your grandma or play-cousins house and get comfy!
Some of the performances we are looking ready for include the wig snatch that is Caissie Levy! Bruce Springsteen, who is also going to rock the stage! EVERYTHING that is Once On This Island! While we too are secretly hoping for that Yolanda Adams bop from Spongebob The Musical to be performed, we know whatever Tina Landau and her aquatic squad bring to the Radio City Stage is sure to help us get through the inevitable Tony recovery week that looms head on Monday.
New musicals nominated include: “The Bands Visit,” “Mean Girls,” “Frozen,” and “Spongebob Squarepants The Musical,” each nominated for Best New Musical. Adding to that list, “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” which brings along two performance nominations.
This season of musical revivals includes “Carousel”, “Once On This Island”, and “My Fair Lady”.
Once on This Island Photo: Joan Marcus
Plays nominated this season, new and revived, include: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”, “The Children”, “Farinelli And The King”, “Junk”, “Latin History for Morons, Angels In America”, “Three Tall Women”, “The Iceman Cometh”, “Lobby Hero”, “Travesties”, and Saint Joan’s Condola Rashad.
Some of the presenters include Bernadette Peters, Brandon Victor Dixon, Kerry Washington, Titus Burgess, and Viola Davis (not really. But if we say her name in the mirror three times, she’ll appear right?)
Who else is set to appear? Glad you asked. You’ll see the familiar faces of Uzo Aduba, Leslie Odom Jr., James Monroe Iglehart, Christopher Jackson, and more!
So tune in to CBS June 10th, Sunday at 8 pm eastern time to catch all the fantastic performances and see who gets to turn from Tony Award Nominee to Tony Award winner!
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