Categories: Articles, Blacks on Broadway, Linda Armstrong,
Blacks Are Strutting Their Stuff on Broadway By Linda Armstrong
There are 24 shows gracing Broadway stages and showcasing the enormous talents of Blacks. One of the most anticipated musicals is “Ragtime” and it lives up to the anticipation, as it floors the audiences at Lincoln Center’s, Vivian Beaumont Theatre. As always “The Lion King” and “MJ The Musical” are playing an enormous role in keeping Blacks beautifully employed. This is just such a wonderful season of theater to behold. You must make plans to go where our people take the stage and do a grand job!
“& Juliet” playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre asks what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? She gets a second chance at life and love her way. It stars Gianna Harris (Juliet) and features Mackenzie Meadows (Lady Capulet/Nell); Khailah Johnson (Judith); Darien Daah Van Rensalier (Augustine); Cheryl Porter (Angelique); and Michael Ivan Carrier (Thomas).
“Aladdin” playing at the New Amsterdam Theatre is Disney’s movie story come to life and shares the story of Aladdin, a poor boy, falling in love with Princess Jasmine. The musical features Michael James Scott (the Genie); JC Montgomery (Sultan); and Dennis Stowe (Jafar).
“Beetlejuice” playing at the Palace Theatre tells the story of a ghost that has a haunting good time as he terrorizes a family in his home. It features Madison Mosley (Lydia, certain performances).
“The Book of Mormon” playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, is a musical that deals with the Mormon faith. Derrick Williams (the General); Jacques C. Smith (Mafala Hatimbi), and Sydney Quildon (Nabulungi).
“Buena Vista Social Club,” playing at the Schoenfeld Theatre is inspired by true events and shows you the heart of Cuba, telling the story of the legends who lived and created the musical sounds of Havana. The cast features Natalie Venetia Belcon (Omara);Chris Myers (Juan De Marcos); Wesley Wray (Young Ibrahim); Isa Antonetti (Young Omara); Leonardo Reyna (Young Ruben); Da’Von T. Moody (Compay); Ashley De La Rosa (Young Haydee); Julio Monge (Young Compay); Mel Seme (Ibrahim); and Jainardo Batiste Sterling (Ruben).
“Chess” playing at the Imperial Theatre is a romantic story.
“Chicago,” playing at the Ambassador Theatre, tells the delightful, sexy stories of the women of murderess row. It features Angela Grovey as Matron “Mama” Morton and Sean Samuels as Martin Harrison.
“Death Becomes Her” playing at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre is a musical comedy based on the 1992 film of the same name, about two women who want to stay young and workout an unholy alliance to stay beautiful, so of course it backfires. It stars Michelle Williams (Viola Van Horn) and features Taurean Everett (Chagall).
“The Great Gatsby” playing at The Broadway Theatre is an amazing musical telling of the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It stars Aisha Jackson (Daisy Buchanan).
“Hadestown” playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre, tells the mythical story of Orpheus trying to overcome Hades and get back to his love. The cast stars Morgan Dudley (Eurydice) and features Rebecca Naomi Jones (Persephone); and Marla Louissaint (Fate).
“Hamilton” playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, is a beloved musical that focuses on the life of Alexander Hamilton. The cast stars Trey Curtis (Alexander Hamilton), and features Stephanie Umoh (Angelica Schuyler); Morgan Anita Wood (Eliza Hamilton); Bryson Bruce (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson); and Tamar Greene (George Washington); Ebrin R. Stanley (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison); Cherry Torres (Peggy Schuyler) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr).
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” playing at the Lyric Theatre tells an engaging story of Harry Potter and other students at Hogwarts. It’s a magical time at the theatre! It features Ayanna Nicole Thomas (Rose Granger-Weasley) and Rachel Christopher (Hermoine Granger).
“Hell’s Kitchen” playing at the Shubert Theatre features Alicia Keys songs and is a loosely based autobiographical story on her life growing up in Hell’s Kitchen. The musical stars Amanda Reid (Ali) and features Christopher Jackson (Davis); Phillip Johnson Richardson (Knuck); Jackie Leon (Jessica); Vanessa Ferguson (Tiny); Rema Webb (Crystal); Chad Carstarphen (Ray); Lamont Walker II (Riq); and Jakeim Hart (Q).
“Just In Time” playing at Circle In The Square Theatre is about the life of singer Bobby Darin. It features Lance Roberts (Ahmet Kirshner).
“Liberation” playing at James Earl Jones Theatre tells a story about the Women’s Movement in this country in the 1970s, focusing on a small women’s group, it is very relevant with what women are going through today. The story is poignant and based on real people. It features Kristolyn Lloyd (Celeste) and Kayla Davion (Joanne).
“The Lion King” playing at the Minskoff Theatre, is the beloved Disney musical that brings the movie version of the same name to glorious life with lifestyle puppets, a captivating storyline, powerful, meaningful songs, and it will help one to appreciate the circle of life. It stars L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa); Sidney Nicole Wilson (Sarabi); Vincent Jamal Hooper (Simba); Pearl Khwezi (Nala); Albert Rhodes Jr. (Young Simba); and Bonita Hamilton (Shenzi).
“MJ The Musical” playing at the Neil Simon Theatre, tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life and features 25 of his biggest hits. The cast stars Matte Martinez (MJ) and features Tavon Olds-Sample (Michael); Apollo Levine (Rob/Joseph Jackson); Sasha Allen (Katherine Jackson); Christopher Sean Cooper Jr. and Emjay Roa alternate as Little Michael; Julius Raymond Weems IV (Little Marlon); Matthew Frederick Harris (Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones); Antoine L. Smith (Berry Gordy/Nick); Lloyd A. Boyd III (Randy Jackson); John Edwards (Jackie Jackson); Nick T. Daly (Jermaine Jackson); and Zachary Downer (Marlon Jackson).
“Mamma Mia!” will begin performances on August 2 at the Winter Garden Theatre and will feature the marvelous music of ABBA. It will feature Jalynn Steele (Tanya).
“Moulin Rouge” is playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. As Bohemians and Aristocrats mingle, this musical is a celebration of truth, beauty, freedom, and love. It features Wayne Brady (Harold Zidler); Andre Ward (Toulouse-Lautrec); Taye Digg (The Duke of Monroth), Rayven Bailey (Arabia) and Donnie Hammond (La Chocolat).
“The Outsiders” playing at the Jacobs Theatre is a musical that tells a story of the haves and the have nots, as the poor and rich kids battle. It stars Alex Joseph Grayson (Dallas Winston); and features Sky Lakota-Lynch (Johnny Cade); Tilly Evan-Krueger (Ace); and Renni Anthony Magee (Steve).
“Ragtime” playing at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater tells the incredibly musical story of three families going after the American Dream, it shows racism against Blacks and prejudice against immigrants in this country and features a brilliant Black cast including Joshua Henry (Coalhouse Walker Jr.); Nichelle Lewis (Sarah); John Clay III (Booker T. Washington); and Kaleb Johnson and Kane Emmauel (Coalhouse Walker III).
“Six” is playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. A British pop musical, it goes into the lives of the six ex-wives of King Henry VIII. The cast features Najah Hetsberger (Catherine of Aragon) and Taylor Marie Daniel (Catherine Parr).
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” playing at the Marquis Theatre is based on the Netflix tv show, the story captivates on Broadway. The production features Gabrielle Nevaeh (Patty Newby) and Ayana Cymone (Sue Anderson).
“Wicked” playing at the Gershwin Theatre tells the story of the wicked witch and Glinda in a way you have never heard before and will not soon forget. It stars Lencia Kebede (Elphaba), the first time a Black actress has done this role and Natasha Yvette Williams (Madame Morrible).
There is nothing more inspiring to me, than to see our people doing what they were born to do on that stage and giving their whole hearts to it. It’s incredibly to know how much more their hearts are filled when they look in the audience and see us looking back at them. Support our people who are blessing us with intense, creativity and phenomenal performances. See you at the theater.
