How ‘Rustin’ and Native Son Teamed to Reclaim the Civil Rights Activist’s History as a Rallying Call
A handful of hours before George C. Wolfe’s Rustin would make its New York premiere as NewFest’s opening night selection on Oct. 12, more than 100 Black queer members of the Native Son collective gathered in The Chelsea Hotel’s Lobby Bar, drinks in hand and under a golden aura of light, dipping in and out of excited conversation.
“It’s really emotional for me,” Native Son founder Emil Wilbekin told The Hollywood Reporter. “Coming into this room and seeing all these beautiful Black queer men — who are legends, icons, mentors, new in their careers — you can feel the joy and love because we don’t have spaces like this.”
Coordinated in conjunction with Netflix, the Rustin film team and Native Son — a collective of Black gay and queer men focused on elevating the voices, visibility and lived experiences of their community — the gathering counted Rustin producer Bruce Cohen and...
“It’s really emotional for me,” Native Son founder Emil Wilbekin told The Hollywood Reporter. “Coming into this room and seeing all these beautiful Black queer men — who are legends, icons, mentors, new in their careers — you can feel the joy and love because we don’t have spaces like this.”
Coordinated in conjunction with Netflix, the Rustin film team and Native Son — a collective of Black gay and queer men focused on elevating the voices, visibility and lived experiences of their community — the gathering counted Rustin producer Bruce Cohen and...
- 10/20/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker have joined the producing team for “The Wiz” musical, producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group announced on Thursday.
In a joint statement, Burruss and Tucker said, “We are thrilled to be part of ‘The Wiz.’ The songs, choreography, costumes, everything about ‘The Wiz’ is epic!” They continued, saying, “We have always said we want to help open the doors of theatre to all people. Theatre has the power to influence and inspire people to create change through art, and that is what we all need now. Art can heal and art can change you. It has changed us. So, come on and ease on down the road with us!”
Also Read:
Tony Awards Predictions 2023: Who Will Win – and Who Should
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by...
In a joint statement, Burruss and Tucker said, “We are thrilled to be part of ‘The Wiz.’ The songs, choreography, costumes, everything about ‘The Wiz’ is epic!” They continued, saying, “We have always said we want to help open the doors of theatre to all people. Theatre has the power to influence and inspire people to create change through art, and that is what we all need now. Art can heal and art can change you. It has changed us. So, come on and ease on down the road with us!”
Also Read:
Tony Awards Predictions 2023: Who Will Win – and Who Should
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by...
- 5/25/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The Wiz is easing on down to Broadway.
The beloved Black-led, music-infused spin on the Wizard of Oz is slated to return as a reimagined revival in Spring 2024, producers announced Thursday. Amber Ruffin, whose co-written Some Like It Hot with Matthew López is set to open on Broadway this December, is attached to provide additional material for the limited engagement.
The “all-new” production of the Tony-winning musical adapted from L. Frank Baum’s children’s book will serve as the Broadway directorial debut for Schele Williams.
“I wouldn’t be on Broadway if it wasn’t for The Wiz,” Williams said in a statement. “The music, the costumes, the choreography and Stephanie Mills! Seeing that show changed my life. It is, in every way, a celebration of Black excellence. I am honored to helm this production and I can’t think of a...
The Wiz is easing on down to Broadway.
The beloved Black-led, music-infused spin on the Wizard of Oz is slated to return as a reimagined revival in Spring 2024, producers announced Thursday. Amber Ruffin, whose co-written Some Like It Hot with Matthew López is set to open on Broadway this December, is attached to provide additional material for the limited engagement.
The “all-new” production of the Tony-winning musical adapted from L. Frank Baum’s children’s book will serve as the Broadway directorial debut for Schele Williams.
“I wouldn’t be on Broadway if it wasn’t for The Wiz,” Williams said in a statement. “The music, the costumes, the choreography and Stephanie Mills! Seeing that show changed my life. It is, in every way, a celebration of Black excellence. I am honored to helm this production and I can’t think of a...
- 12/1/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The beloved musical The Wiz will return to Broadway next season in an “entirely reimagined revival” directed by Schele Williams and featuring additional material by Amber Ruffin.
The production will launch a national tour in the Fall of 2023 in Baltimore, where the original musical premiered in 1974, and will play in cities across the country before beginning a limited engagement on Broadway in Spring 2024.
The revival was announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, and Ambassador Theatre Group. Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others) – among its best-known songs is “Ease On Down The Road” – the new production will be choreographed by Jaquel Knight with music supervision, orchestrations, and music arrangements by Joseph Joubert.
Director Williams, who will make her Broadway debut with the show – she’s also directing the upcoming revival of Disney’s Aida – said in a statement,...
The production will launch a national tour in the Fall of 2023 in Baltimore, where the original musical premiered in 1974, and will play in cities across the country before beginning a limited engagement on Broadway in Spring 2024.
The revival was announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, and Ambassador Theatre Group. Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others) – among its best-known songs is “Ease On Down The Road” – the new production will be choreographed by Jaquel Knight with music supervision, orchestrations, and music arrangements by Joseph Joubert.
Director Williams, who will make her Broadway debut with the show – she’s also directing the upcoming revival of Disney’s Aida – said in a statement,...
- 12/1/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Makeup and Hairstylist Guild will be honoring Jon Favreau with their Distinguished Artisan Award at the 9th Annual Muahs Awards on Feb. 29.
“Jon Favreau’s list of creative, exotic, and memorable characters lives on in his plethora of films, television movies and series. Jon is the ultimate collaborator who has worked alongside many 706 artists to help create memorable characters of all kinds in a myriad of different roles. We are thrilled to present the Artisan award to Jon as he is highly respected by make-up artists and hair stylists worldwide,” said Julie Socash, President of IATSE Local 706.
Favreau is currently showrunner and executive producer of “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” which garnered 39 Emmy Award nominations, winning 14 Emmys as well as numerous nominations and awards; and “The Book of Boba Fett” for Disney+. Favreau, no stranger to the “Star Wars” galaxy, has played roles in both the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars...
“Jon Favreau’s list of creative, exotic, and memorable characters lives on in his plethora of films, television movies and series. Jon is the ultimate collaborator who has worked alongside many 706 artists to help create memorable characters of all kinds in a myriad of different roles. We are thrilled to present the Artisan award to Jon as he is highly respected by make-up artists and hair stylists worldwide,” said Julie Socash, President of IATSE Local 706.
Favreau is currently showrunner and executive producer of “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” which garnered 39 Emmy Award nominations, winning 14 Emmys as well as numerous nominations and awards; and “The Book of Boba Fett” for Disney+. Favreau, no stranger to the “Star Wars” galaxy, has played roles in both the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars...
- 1/31/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Micki Grant, who wrote and starred in Broadway’s groundbreaking 1972 Black musical revue Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, died Sunday at the age of 80.
With Don’t Bother Me, Grant became the first woman to write both the music and lyrics to a Broadway musical, and her collaborator Vinnette Carroll entered the history books as the first Black woman to direct on Broadway.
Grant, whose death was first reported by the Broadway World website and confirmed by licensing and publishing company Concord Theatricals, returned to Broadway in 1976 by contributing additional music and lyrics for Alex Bradford’s musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, a retelling of the Book of Matthew directed by Carroll.
Described by Broadway director Kenny Leon as “a brilliant, passionate writer who gave everything to our industry,” Grant had already broken new ground on television by the time she made her seminal stand on Broadway,...
With Don’t Bother Me, Grant became the first woman to write both the music and lyrics to a Broadway musical, and her collaborator Vinnette Carroll entered the history books as the first Black woman to direct on Broadway.
Grant, whose death was first reported by the Broadway World website and confirmed by licensing and publishing company Concord Theatricals, returned to Broadway in 1976 by contributing additional music and lyrics for Alex Bradford’s musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, a retelling of the Book of Matthew directed by Carroll.
Described by Broadway director Kenny Leon as “a brilliant, passionate writer who gave everything to our industry,” Grant had already broken new ground on television by the time she made her seminal stand on Broadway,...
- 8/23/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The name Alvin Ailey is synonymous with modern dance everywhere. The legendary dancer, director, and choreographer predominated contemporary dance through the latter half of the 20th century under the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, democratizing the art form with his racially diverse company and emotionally driven movements that spoke directly to the Black American experience. An eponymous documentary tribute to Ailey’s momentous life’s work offers a moving archive of his most momentous achievements, including his masterpiece “Revelations,” but struggles — as many of his friends and collaborators did — to fully understand the man behind the myth. Like all geniuses, an exceedingly rare class of true artists, Alvin Ailey surrendered most of himself to the gods of creativity.
Using audio interviews with Ailey from the end of his life as a guiding narration, director Jamila Wignot weaves a pastiche of archival footage from the Deep South, New York City in the ’70s,...
Using audio interviews with Ailey from the end of his life as a guiding narration, director Jamila Wignot weaves a pastiche of archival footage from the Deep South, New York City in the ’70s,...
- 1/30/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Timothy Graphenreed, a longtime musical and dance arranger who composed two numbers for the beloved Broadway musical The Wiz, died March 1 at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital. He was 68.
Graphenreed’s death was first reported today by Broadway World. A cause of death was not announced.
Last year Graphenreed completed work on an upcoming album by Broadway star and singer Lillias White. The album, titled Get Happy!, features White’s interpretations of standards, Motown hits, jazz and rock songs, and is described by Vermont’s Old Mill Recording Studio label as the “culmination of a 30-year friendship and professional collaboration between Lillias White and her musical director/accompanist, Timothy Graphenreed.” The album is dedicated to his memory.
Graphenreed provided dance arrangements for Broadway’s Leader of the Pack (1985) and Comin’ Uptown (1979), the latter a short-lived retelling of A Christmas Carol with a Black cast headed by Gregory Hines as Scrooge.
Graphenreed’s death was first reported today by Broadway World. A cause of death was not announced.
Last year Graphenreed completed work on an upcoming album by Broadway star and singer Lillias White. The album, titled Get Happy!, features White’s interpretations of standards, Motown hits, jazz and rock songs, and is described by Vermont’s Old Mill Recording Studio label as the “culmination of a 30-year friendship and professional collaboration between Lillias White and her musical director/accompanist, Timothy Graphenreed.” The album is dedicated to his memory.
Graphenreed provided dance arrangements for Broadway’s Leader of the Pack (1985) and Comin’ Uptown (1979), the latter a short-lived retelling of A Christmas Carol with a Black cast headed by Gregory Hines as Scrooge.
- 9/2/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
llis Haizlip was never one to miss a beat, and Mr. Soul! is right on time. Innovative, political, and openly gay before Stonewall, Haizlip was America’s first Black nighttime talk show host. Before Oprah and Arsenio, his show aired live on public television from 1968 to ‘73, during the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Black Lives Matter is now louder than ever, speaking volumes on racism in a meaningful manner. But in the days before cell phone journalism, Haizlip’s weekly television show promised “the revolution would be televised.” That revolution was Soul!. Directed, written and produced by Melissa Haizlip, Mr. Soul! had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and is slated to open in over 50 theaters in the virtual cinema space on Aug. 28.
Soul! was a weekly television show celebrating Black American culture, art, life, love, and community. The series “was the first national show to provide...
Soul! was a weekly television show celebrating Black American culture, art, life, love, and community. The series “was the first national show to provide...
- 8/17/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Francis Ford Coppola, Brett Morgen, actress Ali MacGraw and many more are mourning the Monday death of Robert Evans, the legendary film producer and Paramount Pictures chief in the ’60s and ’70s.
Coppola honored Evans for his contributions to “The Godfather” films when he was at Paramount and for his help as an independent producer on Coppola’s “The Cotton Club” from 1984.
“I remember Bob Evans’ charm, good looks, enthusiasm, style, and sense of humor. He had strong instincts as evidenced by the long list of great films in his career,” Coppola said in a statement to TheWrap. “When I worked with Bob, some of his helpful ideas included suggesting John Marley as Woltz and Sterling Hayden as the Police Captain, and his ultimate realization that ‘The Godfather’ could be 2 hours and 45 minutes in length; also, making a movie out of ‘The Cotton Club’ — casting Richard Gere and Gregory Hines,...
Coppola honored Evans for his contributions to “The Godfather” films when he was at Paramount and for his help as an independent producer on Coppola’s “The Cotton Club” from 1984.
“I remember Bob Evans’ charm, good looks, enthusiasm, style, and sense of humor. He had strong instincts as evidenced by the long list of great films in his career,” Coppola said in a statement to TheWrap. “When I worked with Bob, some of his helpful ideas included suggesting John Marley as Woltz and Sterling Hayden as the Police Captain, and his ultimate realization that ‘The Godfather’ could be 2 hours and 45 minutes in length; also, making a movie out of ‘The Cotton Club’ — casting Richard Gere and Gregory Hines,...
- 10/28/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Francis Ford Coppola remembered his sometime-patron, collaborator and frenemy Robert Evans as a producer with “strong instincts” in an emotional tribute. Evans, the legendary producer and former head of Paramount Pictures, died on Saturday night at the age of 89. He played a crucial role in the creation of such film classics as “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Chinatown” and “Marathon Man.”
At Paramount, he plucked Coppola, then a rising young filmmaker, from semi-obscurity and tasked him with bringing Mario Puzo’s bestseller “The Godfather” to the screen. The two clashed frequently, but they created a beloved film that was also a box office success and Oscar winner. When they collaborated again on 1984’s “The Cotton Club,” it was not as star-crossed. That film was mired in lawsuits, budget over-runs, and competing creative visions. It became an infamous bomb that hurt both men’s careers. On Monday, however, Coppola chose to accentuate the positive aspects of their alliances.
At Paramount, he plucked Coppola, then a rising young filmmaker, from semi-obscurity and tasked him with bringing Mario Puzo’s bestseller “The Godfather” to the screen. The two clashed frequently, but they created a beloved film that was also a box office success and Oscar winner. When they collaborated again on 1984’s “The Cotton Club,” it was not as star-crossed. That film was mired in lawsuits, budget over-runs, and competing creative visions. It became an infamous bomb that hurt both men’s careers. On Monday, however, Coppola chose to accentuate the positive aspects of their alliances.
- 10/28/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Ahf), the world’s largest, non-profit HIV/AIDS service organization, partnered with Debbie Allen, to host “Keeping the Promise – 1,000,000 Lives in Care: Celebrating Icons of Dance,” a free, star-studded event, which took place at the historic Apollo Theater on this past Friday, November 30th.
“As Ahf continues its global mission to provide cutting-edge medical care to those living with HIV and AIDS regardless of their ability to pay, the World AIDS Day event at the Apollo recognized a momentous milestone for Ahf: as we now have over one million lives in care!” said Michael Weinstein, President of Ahf. "As part of the evening, we were pleased to also honor, recognize and celebrate the exemplary work of icon, Debbie Allen, who throughout her career has been a strong and steadfast voice in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Ms. Allen was presented Ahf’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award,...
“As Ahf continues its global mission to provide cutting-edge medical care to those living with HIV and AIDS regardless of their ability to pay, the World AIDS Day event at the Apollo recognized a momentous milestone for Ahf: as we now have over one million lives in care!” said Michael Weinstein, President of Ahf. "As part of the evening, we were pleased to also honor, recognize and celebrate the exemplary work of icon, Debbie Allen, who throughout her career has been a strong and steadfast voice in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Ms. Allen was presented Ahf’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award,...
- 12/6/2018
- Look to the Stars
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Ahf), the world’s largest, non-profit HIV/AIDS service organization has partnered with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (Dada), to host “Keeping the Promise – 1,000,000 Lives in Care: Celebrating Icons of Dance,” a free, star-studded event taking place at the historic Apollo Theater on Friday, November 30th.
“As Ahf continues its global mission to provide cutting-edge medical care to those living with HIV and AIDS regardless of their ability to pay, the World AIDS Day event at the Apollo will recognize a momentous milestone for Ahf: as of a few weeks ago, we now have over one million lives in care!,” said Michael Weinstein, President of Ahf. "As part of the evening, we are also honored to recognize and celebrate the exemplary work of icon, Debbie Allen, who throughout her career has been a strong and steadfast voice in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“As Ahf continues its global mission to provide cutting-edge medical care to those living with HIV and AIDS regardless of their ability to pay, the World AIDS Day event at the Apollo will recognize a momentous milestone for Ahf: as of a few weeks ago, we now have over one million lives in care!,” said Michael Weinstein, President of Ahf. "As part of the evening, we are also honored to recognize and celebrate the exemplary work of icon, Debbie Allen, who throughout her career has been a strong and steadfast voice in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
- 11/21/2018
- Look to the Stars
Tony Award winner, George Faison taps multi-genre recording artist Damien Sneed as the musical director and conductor for the CityParks Foundation's Central Park's SummerStage production of The Wiz A Celebration in Dance amp Music onWednesday, August 12at Rumsey Playfield, located on East 72ndStreet, off Fifth Avenue in Central Park.The event is free, doors open at700 p.m.and show time is 800 p.m. - 1000 p.m.OnThursday, August 13, andFriday, August 14, the production will be held at Marcus Garvey Park at 120thStreet and Fifth Avenue in Harlem, show time is700 p.m. - 900 p.m.The Wiz A Celebration in Dance amp Music will be produced, directed and choreographed by George Faison and Timothy Graphenreed is the musical supervisor and dance arranger for the production.
- 5/26/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
It was a starry week at 54 Below with performances from Faith Prince and Jason Graae, Maurice Hines and Tonya Pinkins. Among the celebrities who came out for their opening night performances were Elaine Stritch, S. Epatha Merkerson, La Chanze, Liiliane Montevecchi, Donna McKechnie, Ron Raines, Nona Hendryx, Andre de Shields, Adriane Lenox, Jeanine Tesori, Phillip Boykin, Jeff Calhoun, Mary Rodgers, George C. Wolfe, George Faison, Billy Porter, Brenda Braxton, Adrian Bailey, Mark Nadler, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Charles Randolph-Wright and Julie Budd. Check out photos from the events below...
- 8/30/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Bill Cosby's television mother has been laid to rest. The funeral for Clarice Taylor, best known for her role as Dr. Cliff Huxtable's mom Anna Huxtable on The Cosby Show, was held Tuesday night in Harlem. Many celeb mourners turned out to pay respects to the star, who died at her New Jersey home on May 30 from heart failure. Taylor's actress pal Ruby Dee and dancer George Faison were among those who attended the funeral, which was held at Canaan Baptist Church. There was also a viewing for the public yesterday, followed by a private viewing for Taylor's family. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy and a senior pastor at the church officiated at the service celebrating...
- 6/8/2011
- E! Online
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